What's News....contd.

Multi-Million Dollar Investment In Cranbourne Schools.

  • Cranbourne families are a step closer to having new state-of-the-art schools for their children, with Education Minister Bronwyn Pike joining local member for Cranbourne, Jude Perera MP, today turning the sod on two multi-million dollar school building projects in the area.

  • Work has begun at both Cranbourne Secondary College sites, with building of the new $7.2 million project and at the construction site of a new Prep to 12 school in Cranbourne East.

  • "These massive school building projects for Casey families are another example of the action the Brumby Government is taking to deliver the best possible education to every Victorian child," Ms Pike said.

  • "Good schools are crucial to the liveability of our communities and that is why we are ensuring our children and young people are given the best start in life through a high-quality education.

  • "These projects in the City of Casey are a shining example of what we're delivering across the entire state as part of the Victorian Schools Plan - the Brumby Government's $1.9 billion commitment to rebuild, renovate, or extend every government school.

  • "Education is our number one priority, and through new building projects such as these two in Cranbourne and Cranbourne East, we are delivering quality education to Victorians in the City of Casey."

  • Cranbourne East P-12 School will be open for the start of the 2011 school year and cater for around 1600 students.

  • It is one of 11 new government schools being built in Melbourne's growth corridors under the $255 million Partnerships Victoria in Schools Project. Axiom Education Victoria will design, build, finance and maintain the 11 schools for a 26-year-period in the public private partnership arrangement.

  • Cranbourne East P-12 School will be an environmentally sustainable learning environment.

  • Key design features will include a modern, flexible design that promotes contemporary learning styles in indoor and outdoor settings, learning spaces that delight and inspire through use of natural light, state-of-the-art ICT, including next-generation wireless, electronic whiteboards and multimedia systems, energy efficient buildings, a sophisticated Design, Art, Technology and Science building and excellent sporting facilities, including outdoor courts, an oval, soccer pitch and an indoor gymnasium and theatrette.

  • State Member for Cranbourne, Jude Perera MP said, "I welcome the announcement of a Prep to Year 12 college for Cranbourne East, i am over the moon!".

  • "Prior to the 2006 State election i took the opportunity in speaking with many residents in the Cranbourne East area, via telephone, door knocking them and also by my mobile offices. Many residents kept on telling me loud and clear that, Cranbourne East required both primary and secondary education facilities."

  • Mr Perera added, " I took the residents request direct to my caucus colleges and dearly lobbied them. I am now pleased that all the hard work is now paying off."

  • The new $7.2 million Cranbourne Secondary College buildings will provide new administration building and a new music centre. The old administration block will be refurbished to become a new library and the old library will be converted into home economics areas with a commercial kitchen, new staff room and canteen. Junior classrooms will be re-designed into modern flexible learning spaces.

  • The school community contributed $84,000 to the building project.

  • State Member for Cranbourne, Jude Perera MP said, " I dearly welcome this funding of $7.2million for the modernisation of Cranbourne Secondary College. I congratulate Principal, Yvonne Watts and the School Council who have worked closely with me in hand in hand in securing this funding."

  • Mr Perera added, "This funding compliments other State Labor Government investments at Cranbourne Secondary College including:

    • Cranbourne Secondary College: Computer POD. Project cost $130,800.
    • Cranbourne Secondary College: Modernisation (Staff Administration, Information Technology, General Purpose Classrooms, Music). Project cost $2,280,000 (Federal contribution of $774,000.
    • Cranbourne Secondary College: Funding For Excellence - Leading Schools Funds (CHOICE (Cranbourne's Higher Order Integrated Curriculum Experience), focus on Year 9 (refurbishment Project cost $486,000)

  • "We are continuing to deliver record capital funding to build for the future and ensure 21st Century students get modern buildings and a 21st Century education so they are equipped with the skills to get 21st Century jobs," Ms Pike said.