28 new schools accommodating more than 15,000 students will be built and planned for in the fastest growing parts of Victoria, giving families peace of mind that their kids will be able to go to a great local school, close to home.
Premier Daniel Andrews said, “We’re giving families in our growth areas certainty that they will have a great local school, close to home.”
“This is more than just an investment in new buildings, this is an investment in our kids’ future.”
The Victorian Budget 2018/19 includes $353.2 million to build 12 new schools as part of a massive funding boost from the Victorian Government.
Planning and early works will start on another nine new schools. The Budget includes $46.1 million for additional stages of seven new schools opening in 2019.
Over the last three years, investments total more than $2.8 billion, funding more than 1,200 school upgrades and building 70 new schools, as well as creating more than 5,000 jobs.
The Victorian Government is building the Education State to give every Victorian student a great education, and every community a great local school.
Minister for Education James Merlino said, “Every child will have every chance – regardless of where they live.”
Architectus Director Mark van den Enden said they developed tailored designs for each individual school based on an analysis of the urban grain on each site and thorough research into each region’s local history.
“With this background informing the architectural design, we also explored each school’s region for colours and materials that will give each school its own local identity.”
The spacious rural sites of each school allowed Architectus to create designs in a village layout.
“This ensures a balance between indoor and outdoor learning spaces, both of which are essential to a modern learning environment, enabling students and teachers to connect and partake in a variety of educational activities in and around the buildings.”
“Incorporating the outdoors into the design was a big focus – we ensured there are learning and performance spaces outside, as well as a specialist pavilion to be a destination of science, food and art to further enrich learning experiences for all.”