Classes cash in

By Paul Pickering
TWO foothills schools have assumed their positions at the vanguard of the Bracks Government’s controversial school modernisation plan.
As the State Budget was announced last Tuesday, Upwey High School and Ferntree Gully’s Kent Park Primary School were among the first 43 schools that will be upgraded in Labor’s Victorian Schools Plan.
Education Minister John Lenders declared that the Budget had delivered on the first stage of the largest school building program in Victorian history.
“We promised to rebuild or modernise every school and today we begin delivering,” he said.
Both schools will receive $4 million worth of funding to establish new facilities in accordance with the Government’s vision for a new generation of schools.
For Upwey High School, last week’s announcement was the confirmation of a pre-election promise made to principal Greg Holman by the former Education Minister Lynne Kosky.
Mr Holman is hopeful that construction will begin on the new multi-purpose performance space and open learning centre later this year.
He said that both buildings will facilitate a more flexible learning environment in line with modern strategies of collaborative teaching.
The same strategy will be implemented in Kent Park Primary School’s new main building, which will include 10 large classrooms, a library, computer lab, performing arts centre and amenities.
Last Tuesday’s announcement was the realisation of a vision conceived by Kent Park’s school council in 1984.
Principal Don Britt said the school was relieved that the 13-year campaign had finally been successful.
“I think it will be a great thing for the Ferntree Gully community,” he said.
“Having lost Ferntree Gully Primary recently, this is an important win for the area.”
Ferntree Gully’s Liberal MP Nick Wakeling, who has previously raised concerns about the clarity of the Victorian Schools Plan on behalf of schools within his electorate, said it was a budget of mixed blessings.
“I congratulate Kent Park on putting the hard yards in,” Mr Wakeling said.
“But there were plenty of others that put in similar efforts and they can be rightly disappointed.”
Mr Wakeling says he has been contacted by several Ferntree Gully schools that feel they have been left in the dark by the Government.
“The schools don’t know the criteria on which they’re being assessed but they are concerned that if they stick their heads up they will be put to the bottom of the list,” he said.
Monbulk MP James Merlino, who announced funding to Upwey High School and Macclesfield Primary School last Wednesday, stood by the Government’s assessment process.
“When any school goes down the path of seeking an upgrade or capital modernisation there is a process to go through,” Mr Merlino said.
“It is hard work making the case but I think the process in place is working well.”