The 10-year push for a new high school in the Yarraville area will continue as long as primary school enrolments are skyrocketing, according to SKYHigh president Melissa Horne.
Ms Horne said rising numbers of students and strong support for public education meant a new high school in the Seddon, Kingsville and Yarraville area was more essential than ever.
“There is this demand from growing younger families that is really re-energising the community to make this happen.”
Ms Horne said SKYHigh accepted that there was space in surrounding schools such as Footscray City College, Gilmore Girls College and Bayside College, but it believed the government needed to start considering potential sites for a school and begin planning.
“We recognise there is capacity, but it takes time to build a new school,” Ms Horne said. “You need to find the land and do the planning. Now is the time for that.” SKYHigh intends to work with the existing schools on working out ways a new school could be built without having a negative impact on their student numbers and course offerings.
“Nobody wants to disadvantage the existing schools, but at the same time there is a blinding gap in terms of this geographic area. The challenge is to get the government to listen to the overwhelming need.”
Real estate agents Greg Hocking have stepped in to sponsor SKYHigh’s 10-year anniversary.
Partner Wayne Elly said a high school in the area was critical to accommodate future growth for families.
“All local home owners would get an immediate boost to their property values from a local high school option.”
SKYHigh is inviting residents to its 10-year anniversary celebrations at Beaton Reserve, Powell Street, Yarraville, on Sunday December 1, following a rally through Yarraville from 11am.
