Land locked in for new school as name consultation begins

Families living in the south of Gisborne are a step closer to getting the state-of-the-art education facilities they deserve, with a site secured to build a new primary school.

Minister for Education James Merlino, Minister for Early Childhood Ingrid Stitt and State Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas today announced that land near Willowbank Road, Gisborne had been purchased for the future school, which will also include an on-site kindergarten.

Consultation for the naming of the new school is also now open, with the Victorian Government seeking the community’s input to help find a name that reflects the school’s unique identity, inspires local pride and that makes the school easily locatable.

The three options for the community to vote on are:

• Bunjil Primary School: Bunjil (the eagle) is a Woi-Wurrung word and an important part of Wurundjeri culture. It is seen as the creator of country and men. Bunjil creek is also located nearby.

• Garrong Primary School: The Woi–Wurrung word for wattle, which is native to the Macedon Ranges.

• Willowbank Primary School: The new primary school is located nearby to Willowbank Road and Willowbank Estate.

The consultation period will run until Friday 13th November. To have their say, community members can visit https://engage.vic.gov.au/south-of-gisborne-primary-school-naming-engagement.

The Victorian Government is investing an unprecedented $7.2 billion in Victorian school infrastructure, which is delivering more than 1,460 school upgrades and 100 new government schools by 2026. The new primary school will open in 2022 and cater for 475 students once completed.

The on-site two-room 66 place kindergarten, with associated administrative facilities and outdoor play spaces is also due to open in 2022, in time for Three-Year-Old Kinder to start in the Macedon Ranges, giving children in Gisborne access to five hours of funded kindergarten.

Every new Victorian primary school opening in 2021 and 2022 will have a kindergarten on-site or next door, ditching the dreaded double drop-off burden for parents. This is part of the Government’s $5 billion program to provide access to a full 15 hours of Three-Year-Old Kinder to every Victorian child by 2029.

The Victorian Government is building the Education State so every community can access a great local school and great local kindergarten where students are supported to achieve their best.

Quote attributable to Minister for Education James Merlino
"Securing land for a new primary school in Gisborne delivers on our promise to build 100 new schools over the next seven years and to make drop offs for families a little easier by also having a kindergarten on site."

Quote attributable to Minister for Early Childhood Ingrid Stitt
"We are ensuring that children living in Gisborne are getting the best start to life with funded universal Three-Year-Old Kindergarten, quality kindergarten programs and a smoother transition from kindergarten to school."

Quote attributable to the Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas
"This new school alongside a new kindergarten delivers great facilities for our kids and gives every child the opportunity to succeed. We also invite the community to work with us to find a name for the new school and urge every Gisborne resident to head to the website and let us"