More than one million Victorian students returned to school this week, with families in Melbourne’s growing western suburbs benefitting from five of 12 new schools open for Term 1.
Minister for Education Natalie Hutchins officially opened Thornhill Park Primary School, Ngarri Primary School, Karwan Primary School, Nearnung Primary School, and Lollypop Creek Primary School and welcomed the schools’ first students.
Ngarri Primary School has space for 650 students, while Karwan Primary School, Nearnung Primary School, Thornhill Park Primary School and Lollypop Creek Primary School have space for 525 students.
The schools feature specialist learning spaces for subjects including food technology and science as well as a competition-grade gymnasium, two outdoor hard courts and music and drama spaces.
The other new schools open for Term 1 include Wollert Secondary College, Mickleham Secondary College, Donnybrook Primary School, Wayi School, Barrawang Primary School, Kurrun Primary School and Quarters Primary School.
Seven of the primary schools will have kindergartens operating on-site or next door from 2023, with the remaining three kindergartens opening next year.
Minister for Education Natalie Hutchins said “more students than ever have the facilities and first-class education they deserve”.
“I’d like to wish every student that returned to school this week the best of luck in the coming year – it’s an exciting time filled with new friends, learning and experiences that shape you forever.”
Melton MP Steve McGhie said the schools opened “just in time” for term 1.
“This is exiting news for students and families in Melbourne’s growing west,” he said.
