Wiyal Primary School in Frasers Rose opened its doors to its first cohort of students on Thursday 29 January
Sisters Charlotte and Audrey were among the first of students to walk through the gates.
Audrey, who will start year three, said she enjoys writing and would like to become a journalist one day, while her sister Charlotte, starting year four, said she loves making art and wants to become a teacher.
The sisters said they’re most excited about making new friends.
The school is one of 19 new schools opening across Victoria this year and forms part of a broader program delivering 100 new government schools since 2019.
The school, which has welcomed about 525 students, features modern classrooms and learning spaces, a community hub with an indoor court, a canteen, arts and music spaces, outdoor courts, a sports field, and a library and administration building.
All up, over $230 million was invested into the project, according to the state government.
The school’s name (pronounced wee-yil) is the wurundjeri woi wurrung word meaning ‘peppermint tree’.
For those starting school for the very first time, families across the west are being offered extra cost-of-living relief as preps make their way into the classroom for the very first time, with the rolling out of free prep bags filled with books and learning activities.
The initiative, announced on 29 January, gives preps a bag designed to support early literacy and encourage a lifelong love of reading.
Each bag includes five carefully selected children’s books, along with activities aimed at helping families support learning at home.
This year’s prep bag theme is Reach for the Stars, encouraging the young learners to dream big as they begin their education journey.
Premier Jacinta Allan said the prep bags were a practical way to support families at the start of the school year.
“Free prep bags are just one small thing we can do to help families and encourage a lifelong love of reading,” she said.
Education Minister Ben Carroll said the program delivered “practical cost-of-living relief” while supporting children’s learning from day one.
