Thursday, 20 November 2025

 Matt FREGON (Ashwood) (17:14): (1440) My adjournment item this evening is for the Deputy Premier in his capacity as the Minister for Education, and the action I seek is for the minister to provide an update to the house and my community on the progress of planning school upgrades at Mount Waverley North Primary School in my district of Ashwood. Mount Waverley North Primary is a fantastic and growing school in Ashwood – it is in Mount Waverley, but in Ashwood district – and it has been excellently led over many years by principal Natalie Grieve, assistant principals Anthony Malelis and Tara King and their wonderful staff. I also want to give a special shout-out to president Jackie Barry and the whole school council for their ongoing commitment and service to our community.

The school received an upgrade to the main buildings about 12 years ago, which I believe was started by the former member for Mount Waverley the Honourable Maxine Morand, and I think it was finished under Michael Gidley when he was member, and very important upgrades they were. But one thing that they did not cover was a new gym.

The school has grown over the last seven years from about 200 to, I think, over 550 students next year, and over that time the Andrews and Allan governments have invested in much-loved covered netball courts and a new synthetic oval. But what the school community tell me they really need is a competition-grade gym, not only for the important sport and community uses but also this would create a place where the whole school can have their assemblies indoors, which we know is important. Earlier in the year the Premier visited the school and met with the team and kids and witnessed firsthand the wonderful awesomeness of this school. And we also got to show the Premier upgrades the school has carried out on their B building, thanks to the Allan Labor government’s planned maintenance program that helps schools stay on top of regular maintenance. So I thank the minister for providing funding in the budget and look forward to receiving his updates so I can share the progress with the fantastic Mount Waverley North Primary School community.