A new junior high school campus will open in Seddon in 2021 after the state government announced almost $30 million for the project will be included in next week’s Budget.
The government confirmed on Monday $29.2 million will be allocated to build the Seddon Secondary Campus for years 7-9 as part of the previously announced Footscray Learning Precinct.
This new school will open in 2021, one year after Footscray’s all-girls Gilmore College becomes a co-educational junior campus and Footscray City College becomes a senior campus for years 10-12.
One lead principal will be appointed to oversee the entire precinct, with campus principals also based at each site.
The three campuses will have a “shared learning framework” and one overarching school council.
Education James Merlino said the new campus will help keep pace with the area’s growing population.
Melissa Horne, president of high school lobby group SKY High and Labor’s Williamstown candidate for the November election, said the funding was a massive win for the community who had lobbied hard for a new high school for the Seddon, Kingsville and Yarraville area.
“The community has fought hard for a new school over many years and today’s announcement that a new school will be opened for the first intake of students in 2021 is testament to persistence and community activism,” she said.
Williamstown MP Wade Noonan said the announcement was a “momentous” moment.
“After years of struggle and effort by our community to secure a new high school in the Yarraville and Seddon area, I couldn’t be prouder to say we’re getting it done,” he said.
“With a pre-school, primary school, secondary school and University on the one site, the Footscray Learning Precinct will become an Australian-first.”
Footscray MP Marsha Thompson said the state government will be upgrading schools across Footscray.
Footscray City College campus will be refurbished, while Footscray City Primary School will be redeveloped to increase capacity and a new early learning centre and a new hall and gymnasium will be built on the site.
