Ms SPENCE (Yuroke—Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Minister for Community Sport, Minister for Youth) (09:38): Two weeks ago I had the privilege of attending two of Yuroke’s newest schools on their first day of welcoming students: Keelonith Primary School in Greenvale and Gaayip-Yagila Primary School in Mickleham. These schools are among six brand-new schools that the Andrews Labor government is delivering for the growing communities I represent, and it was an honour to be there as teaching officially started.

First up was Gaayip-Yagila, meaning ‘coming together to learn’, in the rapidly growing outer north, which opened with over 600 students, including prep student Daivey, who along with her mum and inaugural school council president, Sharlene Ray, showed me around with principal Cassandra Hoggins. Daivey, who is very excited to get on the new basketball court, and the other students looked terrific in their new uniforms with the green and yellow school logo shining bright.

Keelonith Primary is a supported inclusion school, and appropriately the name Keelonith means ‘hear and understand’. Students in their bright red, black and grey uniforms led me on a tour of the school, and the pride they felt about their modern and open learning spaces was apparent for all to see. I want to thank Madeleine, Bailey, Abigail, Zaizo and Serpraya for showing me around. You all have a very bright future ahead of you. These students are all in good hands with principal Loren Peavey and assistant principal Samantha Birrell.

At both of these schools it was great to see so many students making new friends, exploring new spaces and settling in to learn. I cannot wait to see what educators and students achieve in their first academic year and beyond.