Education

Education is entering an exciting phase in Victoria, which has been further highlighted by the announcement that the Brumby Government will establish a new world-class institute to develop the next generation of educational leaders in Victoria.

The site of the Victorian Institute of Educational Leadership (VIEL) will be the former NorthMelbournePrimary School and RMITPrintersSchool at Queensberry and Elm Street, North Melbourne.

The Institute is scheduled to open early in 2010 and will be a centre of excellence in the preparation and development of school leaders.

It will be established as part of the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development to build on the comprehensive professional learning strategy that has been designed to further develop the capacity of our workforce.

The VIEL will deliver targeted leadership and development programs for Regional Network Leaders, principals, assistant principals and aspiring school leaders.

The double-storey historic building facing directly onto Queensberry Street will be retained and refurbished to accommodate classrooms, administration areas, seminar spaces and a community hall.

The second multi-storey building (RMITPrintersCollege) will be demolished. A section of the building facing Elm Street will be sold and the rest will be part of the development. Proceeds from the sale will contribute to this new and exciting project and the community space it will have to offer.

A public forecourt facing Union Street will be established, providing access to the community hall. A lecture theatre will be constructed underground with car parking at the rear of the building.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all community members who have expressed interest in this site and the many forms and roles it has taken.

As local Member and Minister for Education, I am glad to see the site retained for educational purposes as well as offering an excellent facility for the local community.

STRENGTHENING OUTCOMES

In 2007, more than 1600 refugee students enrolled in Victorian government schools. Refugees have always been part of the intake of recently arrived students into schools, but in the past three years the proportion of refugees has grown to more than a third of all recently arrived students.

Many of these students have often experienced extreme personal hardship and severely disrupted schooling before arriving and we want to make sure they feel very welcome in their new schools here in Victoria.

In recognition of the importance of assisting schools to meet the highly specialised education and personal support needs of this group of students, the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development has developed Strengthening Outcomes – Refugee Students in Government Schools. For more information click here.

This resource will ensure schools and teachers are aware of the range of resources available to help refugee students settle into school and remain engaged with education.

Bronwyn launched this policy document with students at Flemington Primary School on 20th March 2008.

Other Facts

From June 1999 to June 2006 the Full Time Equivalent of teaching and administrative staff in schools in the Electorate of Melbourne has increased by 27 or 7%.

And this investment is improving the quality of our children’s education:

Since 1999 average Prep to year 2 class sizes in Melbourne schools have reduced from 23.8 to 20.9, a decrease of 12.1%

We are investing in school infrastructure. The following are projects undertaken in the electorate of Melbourne:

Debney Park Secondary College: Animated Film & Digital Video Studio (refurbishment). Project cost of $300,000 (part of the Leading Schools Fund announced in 03/04)
North Melbourne Primary School: Modernisation - Stage 1 - Staff administration, library, General Purpose Classrooms, Music, Art/Craft and Toilets Staff and Students. Project cost of $4,360,000 approved in 2006/2007
Princes Hill Primary School: Modernisation - Library, Art . Project cost of $1,300,000 approved in 2006/2007
Princes Hill Secondary College: Minor Works - Heating System. Project cost of $98,000 approved in 2001/2002
Princes Hill Secondary College: Computer POD. Project cost of $82,404 approved in 2001/2002
Princes Hill Secondary College: Modernisation - 3 General Purpose Classrooms, 2 Music, Fabrics, Home Economics, Technology Studies, Student Toilets. Project cost of $2,035,000 (federal contribution of $500,000) approved in 2003/2004
Princes Hill Secondary College: Modernisation - Gymnasium. Project cost of $1,357,000 (federal contribution of $500,000) approved in 2004/2005
Princes Hill Secondary College: Modernisation - Staff Administration soundproofing of gymnasium. Project cost of $650,000 (federal contribution of $200,000) approved in 2005/2006
Princes Hill Secondary College: Sustainability Research Centre (refurbishment of science rooms). Project cost of $650,000 (part of the Leading Schools Fund announced in 03/04)
University High School: Innovative Schools - Gene Technology Access Centre. Project cost of $4,200,000 approved in 2001/2002
University High School: Computer POD. Project cost of $230,800 approved in 2001/2002

Through the Community Facilities Fund the Bracks Government has contributed to the following projects in the electorate of Melbourne

Kensington Primary School - $50,000 toward the Children's playground. (2005/2006).

THE SCHOOL START BONUS

The School Start Bonus was introduced by the Victorian Government in 2006 to assist parents/guardians of Prep and Year 7 students in meeting the start-up costs of sending their child to school. The initiative provides financial assistance to families for expenditure on school and sporting uniforms, school bags, books and related expenses. The Bonus is $300 per annum and will be paid during the first term of the school year.

For more information on the School Start Bonus visit your school, visit www.education.vic.gov.au or phone the Department of Education on 1800 809 834 (free call).