Community Invited to discuss future of Winchelsea school

THE Education Department rejected a funding proposal for a major upgrade of the Winchelsea Primary School last month, prompting the School Council to escalate their campaign for a new facility.

In light of this, the community is invited to attend a discussion on the future of the school on May 23 at 6pm at the Leisure Time Centre, Gosney Street, Winchelsea.

The meeting will address several critical questions, including whether the community supports a new education plan for Winchelsea, if the existing location is the best site for a growing school, and if Winchelsea will need a P-12 school in the near future.

Representatives from the School Committee, Polwarth Liberal MP Richard Riordan, Surf Coast Shire, and Growing Winchelsea will be present at the event.

School Council president Megan Morris expressed disappointment over the recent decision.

“At the end of last month, we received news that our application for a partial rebuild was declined,” she said.

“School Council have decided to step up our campaign for a new school.”

In 2015, a Surf Coast Structure Plan earmarked a possible site at the back of the Winchelsea Sporting grounds for an Education Precinct.

“Nine years on and very little has been done to push forward with a new school and education precinct,” Ms Morris said.

“The 2023 Structure Plan does not touch on any changes to be made to the school or its location which are highly necessary.”

She highlighted the importance of community involvement in the upcoming meeting.

“We will be holding an information session at the School on May 23 inviting members of our community to attend to listen to our needs as a school body,” she said.

Mr Riordan will also attend to show his support for the initiative.

The School Council hopes that raising awareness and rallying community support will be instrumental in advancing their goals.