Above left: Holt MP Anthony Byrne, Narre Warren South MP Dale Wilson, Premier Steve Bracks and Strathaird Primary School council president Brett Bennie at the official opening of the Narre Warren South school on Thursday. By Rebecca Fraser
PREMIER Steve Bracks has labelled the new $5.7million Strathaird Primary School one of the greatest primary education facilities in Australia.
Mr Bracks made the comment after his whirlwind visit last Thursday, when he officially opened the Narre Warren South school.
The Labor leader said his government was closely monitoring Casey’s classroom and population growth and claimed their clear focus was investing in education.
His comments followed a recent visit by State Opposition Leader Robert Doyle who said some of Casey’s schools were not performing as well as they should be, and the issue needed to be addressed.
“This great new facility will see the number of students rise to 700 730 in the future and this school has the capacity to do this,” Mr Bracks said.
“These new buildings will provide a modern learning environment for the rapidly growing number of families moving to the area.
“We have obviously had to increase spending on resources as a result of the legacy left behind from the past government.
“Look at what is happening, look at what has been done.
“We will continue to hold this focus on education,” Mr Bracks said.
Narre Warren South MP Dale Wilson, and Casey Mayor Neil Lucas, also attended the official opening when students were presented with a commemorative badge to signify they were Strathaird’s first students.
Principal Peter Wood said this was a very important occasion for the school.
“I am a very proud principal.
“ It is now approaching 12 months since my appointment here and I would urge anyone that if the opportunity ever presents itself to play a part in the building and development of a new school then go for it.
“It has been an exciting time and a fantastic challenge and I thank and congratulate the whole school community on this achievement,” he said.
School council president Brett Bennie, whose son Luke is in grade one, said bringing up children was a real team effort and education played an important role.
“Raising kids is not an easy task.
“It is a real team effort that involves family, friends, sporting clubs and schools.
“I feel very proud of this school there are great teachers and facilities and I think this will be a great launching pad for our children’s futures,” he said.
Students from the school’s Jump Rope for Heart club also gave an energetic performance on the day and Mr Bracks even gave the skipping rope a twirl out in the new schoolyard.
The Premier, who also visited the school at the start of the year, locked away Strathaird’s time capsule on Thursday. It will be opened on the school’s 25th anniversary in 2030.
Mr Bracks said facilities at Victorian primary schools had improved greatly since the first primary schools opened 130 years ago but the key educational values had remained the same.
“When the first schools opened they had no computers, no Internet, not even pens or biros.
“Things have really changed but the values at primary schools have remained the same.
“Schools are about opening the doors to the community.
“The importance of selfesteem, wisdom, respect and happiness are the hallmarks for this and any school’s future,” he said.
