Name announced for new school in south of gisborne

The new primary school being built in Gisborne South by the Andrews Labor Government has been named following community consultation.

Minister for Education James Merlino and Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas today announced that the primary school will be known as Willowbank Primary School when it opens its doors in 2022.

Willowbank Primary School was the clear top preference of respondents to an EngageVic survey of local families, reflecting the new school’s proximity to Willowbank Road and Willowbank Estate.

The school shared in $438.6 million of funding for new schools as part of the Labor Government’s Building Works package announced in 2020.

A kinder is planned to be built on the same site as the school, helping local children make a smooth transition from pre-school and reduce the number of drop-offs for some parents with kinder and school-aged children.

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

The Labor Government is building the Education State so that every student can access a great local school and get a great education.

Quote attributable to Minister for Education James Merlino
"Across Victoria we are building new schools where they are needed so every child can access a great local school."

Quote attributable to Minister for Early Childhood Ingrid Stitt
"The new early learning facility at the school site will give local children the smoothest start to their education."

Quote attributable to Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas
"It’s fantastic to see works on the school progressing but it’s also great to see the community getting involved and having their say."