Building the education state in kyneton

Students in Kyneton are a step closer to getting a brand new school thanks to the Andrews Labor Government.

Minister for Education James Merlino and Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas today turned the first sod on the $11.5 million project, which will see Kyneton Primary School moved to a new spot next to Kyneton Secondary School – forming the Kyneton Education Precinct.

Kyneton Primary School is one of 126 schools leading the way in implementing the new Respectful Relationships program, which stems from recommendations of the Royal Commission into Family Violence and is designed to break the cycle of family violence by helping students learn and apply social skills in a positive way.

Mr Merlino and Ms Thomas also visited Kyneton Secondary College to inspect the newly installed building to house GPs taking part in Doctors in Secondary Schools, and to launch a consultation into a new trades hub.

The hub, which is the centre of the school’s $10.5 million modernisation project, will provide apprenticeship level training for post-secondary students. It will also run targeted programs for local primary schools and members of the community on a range of trades and services including engineering, building, construction, robotics, electronics and welding.

The Labor Government is building the Education State so that every community has access to a first-rate school. There are 42 new schools now in the construction pipeline – including 10 new schools that opened this year – after an unprecedented $1.8 billion investment to build and upgrade schools across Victoria.

More than 1,000 building projects under way across Victoria. To see what is happening in your area visit http://www.schoolbuildings.vic.gov.au/pages/home.aspx We’re also investing $21.8 million over two years to roll out Respectful Relationships to schools and early childhood services. The 126 leading schools will support other schools as they roll out the program, with the complete list available here: www.education.vic.gov.au/respectfulrelationships

Quotes attributable to Minister for Education James Merlino
"Kyneton’s Education Precinct will provide students with the first-rate facilities they need to thrive."

"As one of the 126 leading schools, Kyneton Primary School will help us make Respectful Relationships the success we need it to be – working to end the cycle of family violence by challenging the stereotypes that underpin it."