Millions of dollars poured into schools in the inner-west has helped them become ready to cope with booming enrolment figures, according to principals.
Bayside College principal Andrew Harnett said the school’s Williamstown, Newport and Altona North campuses had enough space to deal with the swelling student population coming through primary schools in areas such as Yarraville.
“Inner-west secondary schools have plenty of room and they are great schools,” he said.
Mr Harnett said he understood the 10-year campaign by SKYHigh for a new high school in the Yarraville area, but the reality was that new schools were expensive and resources were best directed at existing infrastructure.
“The Education Department, under the previous Labor government, had a good look at the provision of education in the inner-west and a restructuring of schools took place.
“Around $30 million was spent on Bayside’s campuses to service the communities of Newport, Williamstown, Spotswood, Yarraville and Altona North.”
Bayside College currently has 1100 students but can take at least 2200 within current facilities, with further room to expand.
“My concern is a lot of taxpayers’ money has already gone into facilities built for the purpose of meeting that demand.”
Bayside College Paisley campus principal Milan Matejin said the school now catered for students from as far afield as Point Cook, an area better suited for new schools before another school in the inner-west.
Gilmore Girls College principal Bette Prange acknowledged there was a rising number of young children placing pressure on primary schools, but she believed existing high schools were well placed to meet the next wave of students.
“There is certainly capacity here,” she said. “We can go up to 600 students. We currently have just below 300.”
Ms Prange said a new school in Yarraville would draw students from the existing high schools, impacting upon the curriculum they were able to offer.
“[The principals] have met with the SKYHigh group. We have opened the doors and said come along and have input. It’s about parents coming to a school and putting the stamp they want on it.”
