Grigau pledges two Year 7-12 Bellarine schools

FAMILIES across the Bellarine Peninsula will be given a greater choice for their children’s schooling, with an elected state Liberal and National governemnt committing to deliver two Year 7-12 secondary schools for the region.

To deliver better schooling options in the Bellarine, the Liberals and Nationals will work with Bellarine Secondary College and the local community to develop a plan to improve facilities at campuses in both Ocean Grove and Drysdale to full secondary Year 7-12.

Alongside Western Region candidate Joe McCracken, Liberal Candidate for Bellarine Donnie Grigau announced last week that as part of the commitment, $20 million would be provided to complete masterplans and deliver Stage 1 construction of new facilities to begin this process.

Bellarine Secondary College is presently the only government school servicing a large part of the Bellarine Peninsula and is split across two campuses, with Year 7 and 8 offered in Ocean Grove and Year 9-12 offered in Drysdale.

In separate announcements, Mr Grigau has also pledged $3 million for upgrades at the Our Lady Star of the Sea Primary School in Ocean Grove and $1.3 million for upgrades at St Aloysius Catholic Primary School in Queenscliff.

Mr Grigau said he had spoken to parents who were desperately pushing for a new high school on the peninsula.

“We have primary schools across the Bellarine, but only one government high school.

“It is not enough, and Bellarine students and families deserve better.

“Families shouldn’t have to struggle travelling between two campuses that are 11km apart.

“The time has come for a second Bellarine Peninsula high school.”

Shadow Minister for Education David Hodgett said it was necessary to get on with planning this school now, because failure to do so would severely affect the ability to provide every child with a world-class education.

“We need to invest in our children, cater to their needs and plan for the future.

“Today’s announcement is about providing real solution for the community, while relieving the growing pressure on the current school.