Star of the Sea opens “first-class” learning centre

CURRENT and future students of Our Lady Star of the Sea Primary School will reap the benefits of an impressive new multi-purpose learning centre.

The $3.335 million centre incorporates four general learning areas, a collaborative area, extra hall, staff space and a car park extension.

Following consultation with the community and Traditional Owners, the new learning centre was named Djila Tjarri – a local Wathaurong word meaning “play”.

The Ocean Grove primary school raised $1.335 million toward the project, with the state government contributing the remaining $2 million.

Member for Bellarine Lisa Neville conducted an official opening of the centre, saying the Bellarine region was fortunate to have a network of quality schools right across the peninsula.

“Our Lady Star of the Sea is a great school and I have been pleased to work with principal Kerryn Sells and her team in securing state government funding to build this first-class multi-purpose hall,” Ms Neville said.

“The partnership between the Our Lady Star of the Sea and the state government has ensured students have the best facilities, classrooms have the best teachers and, as a result, each child is given every chance to succeed.”

Our Lady Star of the Sea is among the schools to benefit from a state government investment of $10.9 billion during the past seven years to build new schools and fund more than 1,700 school upgrades, creating about 13,500 jobs in construction and associated industries.

The government has committed to opening 100 new schools by 2026, with 62 new schools opening between 2019 and 2024.