School’s out says Pike at long last

By Melissa Meehan
CASEY Central Secondary College campaigner Sue Ernsdoefer says that after months of angst and speculation she has finally received a response from Education Minister Bronwyn Pike.
Unfortunately, she says, the response was not exactly what she and her team had in mind.
Ms Pike confirmed the school would not be ready on site for the 2009 school year.
In a letter to Ms Ernsdoefer, Ms Pike confirmed that while preparations for the new school were underway, the proposed land was unavailable until early 2008, forcing the school to delay its opening until the 2010 school year.
Spokesperson for Ms Pike, Matt Nurse, said the Education Department was planning to build the best school possible for the area and it would obviously take a period of time.
“However, Year 7 students will be able to enrol for the 2009 school year which will initially be based at a temporary site in the area,” Mr Nurse said.
“The Department of Education and early childhood development is currently finding the best location for this temporary campus.”
Ms Ernsdoefer said that while she was unhappy that the school will not open for the 2009 school year on site as planned, she will leave it up to the parents of Casey to make up their own minds as to whether this arrangement will be suitable.
“We still believe that the offer of a transitional campus is a result of the department’s failure to allocate funds and plan ahead in time to open the school on site as promised,” Ms Ernsdoefer said.
“It has been implemented to pacify parents.”
Ms Ernsdoefer said she has always pictured Grade 6 to be an important year in a child’s growth in becoming a young adult.
“The excitement of starting a new school the following year is an important stepping stone for children,” she said.
“The orientation days and visits to the potential high school are fun times that no one should miss out on. A transitional campus will not be the same.”
Concerned parent of Grade 5 twins Jo Sandys said she was angry the government planned to introduce a transitional campus rather than opening the school as promised.
In a letter to Ms Pike, Ms Sandys said her main concern was the lack of secondary schools in the area and the prospect of driving more than 18 kilometres to get her children to and from school was unacceptable.
“Where is the transitional campus going to be? Rosebud?” Ms Sandys wrote.
Narre Warren South MP Judith Graley said the announcement was good news, although not ideal for all parents.
“While it’s not ideal, it is a suitable solution to the issue of Casey Central Secondary College,” Ms Graley said.