Thursday, 17 December 2020

Construction is now complete on the new Orchard Park Primary School giving families access to a great local school close to home, thanks to the Andrews Labor Government.

Minister for Education James Merlino and Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing today announced that works have finished at the new school in Officer ahead of students attending in Term 1, 2021.

Students and staff at Orchard Park Primary School will be able to share in two new learning neighbourhoods, an administration building, outdoor play courts, sports field, a performing arts and physical education building and a science and food technology building.

​​Nathan Jagoe has been appointed as the first principal and enrolments are open for Prep to Grade 6.

This new school is part of the Andrews Labor Government’s commitment to deliver 100 new schools between 2019 and 2026 – which is now ahead of schedule, with 48 new schools opening between 2019 and 2022.

Plans are also underway for Timbertop Integrated Child and Family Centre to be constructed next to the school to aid the smooth transition from kindergarten into school, while allowing parents to ditch the dreaded double drop-off.

Every new Victorian primary school being built from 2021 will have a kindergarten on-site or next door, to reduce the burden on parents and carers while continuing to build the Education State.

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

Quote attributable to Minister for Education James Merlino

“Families in Officer deserve access to a great local school close to home, ensuring their children can receive a world-class education. This is a prime example of the school building boom that is happening right now across Victoria.”

Quote attributable to the Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing

“We know our community is growing rapidly and that is why we need to open new schools and upgrade our existing schools. The completion of Orchard Park Primary School means that our students will have access to the first-rate facilities they deserve.”