Short-term class

A TRANSITIONAL campus will be set up at Hillsmeade Primary School in 2009 for year seven students waiting for the new Casey Central Secondary College to be built.
The State Government’s decision to establish the makeshift measure is in response to months of campaigning by a group of local parents determined to see a pre-election promise kept.
Although unsuccessful in their attempts to get the Narre Warren South school open for the start of the 2009 school year – as originally promised by local Labor MP Judith Graley – residents are somewhat satisfied with the outcome.
Education Minister Bronwyn Pike announced the plan on Tuesday.
Ms Pike said year seven students would spend one year at the temporary site at Hillsmeade before moving into their permanent school in 2010.
“The year seven campus will offer students a broad range of curriculum choices with staff from both the primary school and year seven working together to provide a comprehensive program,” Ms Pike said.
Casey School 2009 Campaign spokeswoman Sue Ernsdoerfer said she had received a mixed response from local parents since the announcement of the transitional campus.
“We believe that the transitional site is being made available as the result of public pressure on the minister and the realisation that this school is long overdue,” Ms Ernsdoerfer said.
“At least the minister has given us the consideration we deserve and come up with a compromise.
“One positive is that students leaving Hillsmeade Primary School can continue on together in 2009 as a group which is great for the students and their families,” she said.
Hillsmeade Primary School principal Anne Nicholls said hosting the temporary campus was “both an exciting and positive educational opportunity for the local community”.
“It will enable the 2009 students to enjoy their first year at secondary college in an established environment while playing an active role in the development of their school,” Ms Nicholls said.
The new college is set to be built on vacant land near the Casey Central Shopping Centre on Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road.
Ms Graley said preparations for the new site were underway.
“This additional school will help local kids get the best start in life with modern facilities for this growing part of Melbourne,” Ms Graley said.
“It will be a significant community facility providing a quality education for high school students in the area.”
Member for South Eastern Metropolitan Region Gordon Rich-Phillips has continued to take up the campaign with the State Government.
He presented the Government with a 619 signature petition, calling for the school to be open in 2009, last week.
“This has been an ongoing battle between the community, myself and the Brumby Government,” he said.
“They have ducked and dived from this issue for too long – it’s time to deliver all aspects of the promise made last November.
“Providing a temporary solution on an unknown site for just one year level is unacceptable, they must honour what was promised,” Mr Rich-Phillips said.