Tuesday, 17 March 2020

Heathmont College

Mr TAYLOR (Bayswater) (19:16): (2056) I wish to raise a matter with the Minister for Education. The action I seek is for the minister to visit Heathmont College with me to tour the school, where works on their over $5 million worth of upgrades and exciting new infrastructure from the Andrews government is being delivered. Heathmont College is an absolutely ripping school. They have gone from strength to strength, with increasing numbers and a new sports academy, and now construction is just beginning on their school, which will see it continue to flourish and grow well into the future. The $5.5 million of funding that the Andrews government provided will see a brand-new, state-of-the-art, competition-grade gym, which is not just great for the school locally; it is fantastic for local sporting clubs and in particular local basketball clubs, who will use it for years to come. The funding is also delivering an education learning facility, which will not only be a place where students learn in a new and bright environment, but the positive education centre will also be set up to work with students not only at Heathmont but at a number of schools locally to teach students and teachers how to be resilient and flourish.

With one in seven Victorian students struggling with mental health issues, this new model of education is absolutely needed, and Heathmont College will be the first school to have this type of facility, which is extremely exciting. This is about strengthening their resilience, focusing on their personal strengths and giving young people a sense of optimism and a sense of hope and enthusiasm for their own future. This is just another way locally that we are getting on with building the Education State, with works already underway at Bayswater Primary School on their new building and at Boronia Heights Primary School on their new oval. We have got the outdoor learning spaces at Marlborough Primary School, at Boronia K–12 College, at Eastern Ranges School and at Baywater South Primary School. We have got new toilets at Bayswater West Primary School and at Marlborough Primary School. We have got a new oval on the way at The Basin Primary School and we have got a new oval at Heathmont East Primary School. I tell you what, it is all happening and there is more to come. Make no mistake about it.

I am so proud to be part of a government that believes in the power of education and invests record amounts into it because we know the difference that it makes. I thank the minister for his work in these vital investments and the support of the schools locally. I look forward to having the minister out to officially celebrate the start of works at the great school that is Heathmont College.