Constituency questions
Northern Metropolitan Region
Mr ONDARCHIE (Northern Metropolitan) (12:49): (1649) My constituency question today is for the Minister for Education. Fitzroy North residents are concerned about the Merri Creek Primary School’s lack of space for children to play and socialise. I want to thank the residents of Fitzroy North who responded to my recent community survey with this feedback about our children’s future. I served on a school council for 11 years, nine years as president, and there are challenges in trying to get money out of governments for schools. Merri Creek Primary School, led by principal Kerri Gibson, is a beautiful school with a strong school community. The community in the past raised funds to help upgrade the primary school in expectation of more play areas for the children. There is just not enough play space. The school has to split lunchtime play, requiring extra supervision time for staff, and that takes teachers away from doing the important work they normally do at that time. The school has negotiated with the Yarra council to find solutions, but to no avail. They have a master plan for the school but need support to move forward. The question I have for the minister is: will the minister direct the department to work with the local council, the school and the school community to find a solution that gives space for the children to play in?