Thursday, 16 September 2021

Shepparton Education Plan

Ms SHEED (Shepparton)

The goal of the Shepparton Education Plan is to transform education in Shepparton-Mooroopna to help young people get the best possible educational opportunities from birth to post-secondary school. The focus has primarily been on the secondary education system because the system needed to be fixed. We had four secondary colleges in Mooroopna and Shepparton with several experiencing falling enrolments, below-average educational outcomes, low aspiration and attendance issues. The out-of-date schools were no longer fit for purpose.

In 2017 the Victorian government announced the Shepparton Education Plan and work got underway. The community has watched in awe at the building of the new single campus of Greater Shepparton Secondary College on Parkside Drive in Shepparton. It will be the largest secondary college in regional Victoria and its facilities are outstanding.

The main construction, which was closely watched during COVID-19 restrictions, is now completed. As the fit-out and planning for relocation of the three campuses to the new campus is underway, students are getting a taste of what next year might look like for them. There is great excitement from grade 6 students who will be transitioning to secondary school in 2022 and existing students on other campuses are delighted with what they see on their excursions through the new buildings.

The Shepparton Education Plan is about providing educational opportunities to all students at every stage in their life. I am now looking forward to pursuing the funding for a technical school, the redevelopment of Verney Road special school, and an autism facility to cater to the needs of students on the autism spectrum who are in the mainstream school system. I look forward to continuing to work with the Victorian government to ensure that the educational opportunities for all children in my electorate are met.