Thursday, 7 April 2022

Bentleigh Secondary College

Mr STAIKOS (Bentleigh) (17:18): (6335) My adjournment matter tonight is for the attention of the Minister for Education and concerns that outstanding school, Bentleigh Secondary College. The action that I seek is that the minister ensures that the proposed performing arts centre at Bentleigh Secondary is fully funded in the upcoming budget.

Our government has a proud record when it comes to providing modern, comfortable facilities for schools throughout the Bentleigh electorate, and Bentleigh Secondary College is no exception. It was our government which built that state-of-the-art STEAM centre and those two additional indoor competition-grade basketball courts a few years ago, and I was very pleased last year to ensure that Bentleigh Secondary College received some planning funding to appoint an architect to start designing a performing arts centre. That is due to the fact that Bentleigh Secondary College excels in the performing arts. Over the years I have seen so many musical productions that they have put on. Whether it is Seussical or We Will Rock You or Grease or The Wedding Singer or so many others—

Ms Allan interjected.

Mr STAIKOS: Absolutely, Minister—so many fantastic musical productions, and their performing arts program is second to none. They are currently operating their performing arts program out of a building that is not purpose built, and I know they can do even more in that space with a purpose-built performing arts centre. It is an outstanding school. They deserve more. We have already done a lot at this school, but I think we can do more, so I really do urge the Minister for Education to ensure that in the upcoming state budget we have the funding to ensure that we have this state-of-the-art, purpose-built building for the performing arts at Bentleigh Secondary College.