The inner-west’s biggest educational shake-up in decades is looming after the state government revealed details of its plans for a new Footscray Learning Precinct.
Education Minister James Merlino on Tuesday said the $15 million first stage of the precinct would include master planning and designs for three campuses, as well as works at Footscray City Primary School and Gilmore College, in partnership with Victoria University and Maribyrnong council.
In preparation for the precinct, next year will be the final year 7 or 11 intake for the all-girls Gilmore College, which will become a co-educational junior campus for years 7-9 from 2020.
Also in 2020, Footscray City College will became a senior campus for years 10-12.
A new co-educational junior campus for years 7-9 will be built in Seddon, near the existing Footscray Nicholson campus of Victoria University, construction subject to future budget funding.
“The Footscray Learning Precinct will create and link education facilities across Footscray, providing better learning opportunities for students, from early childhood through to secondary school and beyond,” Mr Merlino said.
One principal will be appointed to oversee the entire precinct, with principals also based at each campus.
One school council will oversee all the campuses, which will also have a “shared learning framework” outlining how teaching and learning will be undertaken across the schools.
The Footscray City College campus will be refurbished, while Gilmore College will be redeveloped as part of a central hub that will include Footscray Primary School.
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.
Current Footscray City College students will complete their schooling at the existing site.
Gilmore College students wishing to continue in a girls-only stream will have help to find alternative schools.
Footscray MP Marsha Thomson said the project would improve education opportunities for local students.
Williamstown MP Wade Noonan said the community had been involved in the process to ensure a result that fitted everyone’s needs.
Further details about student transition arrangements, school governance and the shared learning framework for the precinct were to be outlined at a community meeting at Footscray City College on Tuesday night.
