Monday 8^th February 2021

More than one million students – including 84,000 preps – have returned to classrooms across Victoria as 14 new schools opened their doors as part of the Victorian Government’s school building boom.

Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing today visited the new Orchard Park Primary School and welcomed its first students.

The school will cater for 525 students and includes:

• two learning neighbourhoods
• administration building
• outdoor play courts
• performing arts and physical education building
• arts, science and food technology building
• sports field.

Orchard Park Primary School has 124 students starting this year, including 33 Prep students, and is one of 14 new schools opening in 2021.

A co-located kindergarten has also been built on-site which will open in Term 1, 2021 with space for 198 kids. It will deliver both sessional and integrated kindergarten programs for three- and four-year-olds.

Every new Victorian primary school opening from 2021 will have a kindergarten on-site or next door, reducing the burden on parents and ending the dreaded double drop off. This includes all 10 primary schools opening this year.

Orchard Park Primary School is one of 14 new schools opening in 2021.

In the past five years, the Victorian Government has invested more than $9 billion in more than 1,600 school upgrades – creating more than 10,000 construction jobs.

The Government is now ahead of schedule on its commitment to open 100 new schools by 2026, with 48 new schools opening between 2019 and 2022.

For more information on the Victorian Government’s school building boom, visit www.schoolbuildings.vic.gov.au.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Education James Merlino

“The first day of school is a big day every year – but particularly after the year we had last year. I thank every teacher, student and parent for their efforts last year and wish them well for the year ahead.”

“We’re building new schools across the state, so every child has a great local school and a best start in life – wherever they live.”

Quote attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing

We’re building more new schools than any other state, anywhere else in the country – and Orchard Park Primary is another example of a brand-new school that’s bright, modern and built for the growth in student numbers that we’ll see in the coming years.