Ros SPENCE (Kalkallo – Minister for Prevention of Family Violence, Minister for Community Sport, Minister for Suburban Development) (13:09): I was thrilled to recently visit the site of Lockerbie Central primary school for a site tour with the Minister for Education. Construction is now well underway and on track for students to commence in term 1 next year. Joining us was the school’s inaugural principal Anthony Potesta, an experienced educator and principal at Meadows Primary School in Broadmeadows for the past six years. Anthony is focused on building strong relationships with his school community to improve education and wellbeing outcomes for students.

I also met with Maree Moyle, who is taking on the role of principal at Merrifield South Primary School. Maree has worked as a principal for the past 10 years and is looking to develop strong community connections as she prepares to create an innovative and supportive learning environment for her future students. Congratulations to both Anthony and Maree. I am looking forward to working with them both as they prepare to welcome their first students next year.

I was also pleased to recently attend the official stage 2 opening at Elevation Secondary College in Craigieburn. The school now boasts additional facilities, including a gymnasium; performing arts, music and food technology classrooms; a canteen; two new learning communities; additional hard courts; and a sports oval. Congratulations to principal Colin Burke and team, and thanks to all the students that helped out on the day. Elevation Secondary is a terrific school that opened in 2020.

With these two new schools commencing in 2024, this brings it to 11 new government schools in my electorate since 2014, and there are more to come as my community continues to grow and this government continues to support it.