Top marks for plan

By Callan Date
BERWICK will be home to a new selective entry school designed to cater for high-achieving students.
Victorian Premier John Brumby announced the project on Tuesday as he toured the proposed site with fellow MPs and education officials.
The $20 million year nine to 12 co-educational campus will be built next to Monash University on Clyde Road.
About 200 year nine students are expected to be the first to grace the new school when it opens in 2010.
A centralised selection process will be used to admit students to the college, with a common entrance exam taken by students when they are in year eight. Education Minister Bronwyn Pike said the proportion of students that could attend the Berwick college, from any individual government or non-government school, would be capped at five per cent.
Ms Pike said the new campus would complement the successful existing selective entry schools – Melbourne High School and Mac.Robertson Girls’ High School.
A selective entry campus at Wyndham Vale, in Melbourne’s outer west, will also be built.
Mr Brumby said Berwick was chosen as it was located in one of the state’s fastest growing corridors.
“This government is taking action to ensure Victorian families have the best schools,” he said. “Parents want choice in the public education system and these two new schools will allow more students to get a place at a selective entry school,” Mr Brumby said.
The new school will have strong links with Monash University.
“These (university) partnerships will allow highly able students to work on joint research projects, attend special classes and lectures and share facilities with a tertiary institution.
“There will also be exciting opportunities for staff from the universities and schools to work together, share their knowledge and develop joint projects that will benefit students as well.”
News of the announcement was applauded by community leaders.
City of Casey mayor Janet Halsall said it was great news for families in the Casey-Cardinia area.
“Parents rightly want choice when it comes to their children’s education and this new school will provide an opportunity for local high-achieving students to get a place at a selective entry school,” Cr Halsall said.
“The new school will provide greater options for our students who come from a broad range of backgrounds.”
Narre Warren South MP Judith Graley said it was a great day for the local region.
“Education has always been my number one priority for the Narre Warren South electorate and this is a top result for our community,” Ms Graley said.