Schools funding
Bronwyn HALFPENNY (Thomastown) (17:21): (1266) My adjournment is for the Minister for Education, and it is regarding the investments the Allan Labor government is making to support schools in multicultural communities. Since the election of the state Labor government in 2014, new schools have opened up just about every year in the suburb of Wollert. To date there is a total of seven brand new state schools and two brand new Catholic schools, and these schools are often seen as social hubs as well as learning hubs for families and students, providing facilities to learn but also to play sport and to support wellbeing. I often meet with and discuss the needs of schools with school representatives such as principals and teachers as well as students and families. In addition to the academic needs of the students, schools have also been instrumental in supporting multiculturalism and social cohesion. Many students are from refugee backgrounds and are often starting school before they have attended English classes. There are also students that have recently migrated to Australia with their families and require additional support to become comfortable in a Victorian educational environment. Of course culture and diversity are celebrated in all of these schools in Wollert. But the action I seek is that the minister provide information to me regarding the supports and investments that we are making in schools, particularly in relation to multicultural communities.