Hundreds of students in South Gippsland are starting the new school year at the new San Remo Campus of Bass Coast College, as part of the Andrews Labor Government's investment in the Education State.
Formerly known as Wonthaggi Secondary College, the Labor Government has expanded the school's campuses across the Bass Coast with the new junior campus at San Remo to ensure families across South Gippsland have access to a fantastic public education.
Minister for Education James Merlino today officially opened the San Remo campus, which will cater to up to 500 students between Years 7 and 9 - and will save time for families who previously had to travel to Wonthaggi from areas like Phillip Island, San Remo, Coronet Bay, Corinella and Grantville.
The new school campus features a specialist science, technology and design learning space, a performing arts and physical education building, dedicated administration and library spaces, an oval and several sports grounds.
The new modern learning environments support the growing demand for local secondary school places in the region, as one of 14 new schools and campuses the Labor Government is opening this year as part of its work to deliver 100 new schools across Victoria between 2019 and 2026.
In the past seven years, the Government has invested more than $10.9 billion in building new schools and more than 1,700 school upgrades - creating around 13,500 local jobs in construction and associated industries when Victoria needs it most.
To protect students, staff and school communities and reduce learning disruption, the Labor Government has delivered a full suite of COVIDSafe measures to keep schools safe and keep classrooms open.
All schools have received their first order of rapid antigen tests, with millions of kits already rolled out for the first fortnight's supply of surveillance testing, helping to stop the spread of coronavirus before it reaches the classroom.
This surveillance testing is strongly recommended for all primary and secondary school students and staff, twice-weekly at home before school, while students and staff at specialist schools are recommended to test five days each week due to the higher risk of severe illness for medically vulnerable children.
All 51,000 air purification devices have arrived in government and low-fee non-government schools in time for the beginning of term, helping remove potentially infectious particles from high-risk areas of schools - while more than 300 shade sails are already under construction, helping more classes learn safely outdoors.
As stated by Minister for Education James Merlino
"We heard from so many Bass Coast families who were sick of travelling so far to get their kids to school - and we've delivered, with a brand new campus of Bass Coast College in San Remo for up to 500 local students."
"We're delivering a fantastic education for students in every corner of Victoria - and this new campus at San Remo Secondary is proof that we're keeping pace with demand for great schools right across the state."
As stated by Member for Bass Jordan Crugnale
"This new San Remo campus is magnificent and will be a source of huge pride for the Bass Coast school and wider community - we said we would deliver a school close to home, and here it is."
