Wednesday, 22 February 2023

 Will FOWLES (Ringwood) (10:04): The school year is off to a flying start in Ringwood. In the past week alone I have had the pleasure of meeting students and staff from five of our terrific schools, seeing firsthand the great education being delivered to our youngest Victorians. At Mullum Primary it was great to be given a tour of their $5.17 million school upgrade by newly minted school captains Jai and Mavis and their principal Marie Beale.

A day later I was out at Eastwood Primary School and their outstanding deaf facility with principal Rukshana Verzijl, seeing the important support being provided to hearing-impaired students who come from across the Ringwood electorate to study at Eastwood Primary. The very next day I had the pleasure of visiting Whitehorse Primary School in Blackburn North and touring their great facilities with the aptly named Paul Tantram. It is a ripper of a local school with terrific academic results and a wonderful sense of community. But that is not all. Last week I joined the Blackburn Lake Primary School community to present the 2023 student leaders with their badges. A shout-out to this year’s school captains: Sierra, Hannah P, Rose and Annie. I would like to take this opportunity to wish them all the very best in their roles.

I would like to also acknowledge the year 5s and 6s at Nunawading Christian College for welcoming me to their school on Monday of this week. Together we had great discussions about government, politics and the role of MPs in our democracy. Thanks to all of these schools for having me. I cannot wait to be back soon. In the meantime I am thrilled to be your voice inside the Andrews Labor government.