Clean, green start to new school year

By Rebecca Fraser
STUDENTS at Casey’s newest primary school were officially welcomed by Minister for Education Services Jacinta Allan this week when they started the school year.
Ms Allan visited the new $6.1 million Centre Road Berwick Primary School on Tuesday morning and said strong community links had already been built in the school.
“It is wonderful to see the partnership this school has already developed with the City of Casey and the local community.
“This will result in shared sporting facilities — a junior sports oval next to the school and sports pavilion attached to the school gymnasium.
“The new facilities include general purpose classrooms, a state-of-the-art library and technology centre, large staff workspaces and a modern art room,” she said.
Ms Allan also commended the school’s environmentally friendly focus.
“This new green school also has energy conservation built into the design through measures such as eaves that minimise sun in summer, and the positioning of the school and planting of deciduous trees to maximise sunlight in winter.
“A wetland is also being planted, which will be watered in dry spells from a rainwater tank that stores water run-off from the roof,” she said.
Ms Allan was joined by Narre Warren South MP Dale Wilson to tour the school and meet students, staff and parents.
Mr Wilson said the preps were among the 130 pupils already enrolled in a school which was built for a long-term enrolment of 450.
“Centre Road Berwick Primary School has been carefully designed to meet the educational needs of its students now and well into the future,” Mr Wilson said.
Principal Stephen Wigney said the school’s first day had been terrific and everything had run very smoothly.
He said the school had enjoyed an open night last week and children, parents and teachers were well acquainted.
Mr Wigney said the school had already forged strong ties with staff at its neighbour, the Berwick Church of Christ, which had offered much support to the new school.
Mr Wigney, the former principal of Fountain Gate Primary School, said the new school’s facilities were outstanding and created a great learning environment for staff and teachers.
“It (the school) is three-quarters finished but give us six months and it will look fantastic,” he said.