First class

By Bridget Cook
IT WAS a proud moment for all those involved with the new Alkira Secondary College in Cranbourne North on Monday when it opened its doors for the first time.
About 70 dignitaries, staff and students attended when Education Minister Bronwyn Pike and Narre Warren South MP Judith Graley officially opened the state-of-the-art school.
Alkira Secondary College, which was known as Casey Central Secondary College, welcomed 330 Year 7 and 8 students.
The school is expected to cater for an enrolment of around 1100 secondary students by 2014.
Ian McKenzie will be the first principal of the new school, after serving seven years as founding principal at Kambrya College, Berwick.
Mr McKenzie said after 18 months of work on the project, it was very exciting to finally open the school.
“I was founding principal of Kambrya and now to be founding principal at Alkira is a real highlight in my career,” Mr McKenzie said. “And to see the delight on the student’s faces was just priceless.”
Mr McKenzie said the school had many state-of-the-art facilities.
“I am blown away by the facilities … this school is honestly world class,” he said.
Alkira Secondary College has a performing arts building, science and technology building, an indoor gymnasium, state of the art ICT and is environmentally sustainable.
“I want the school to be known for individualised and personalised learning and teaching,” he said.
Ms Pike spent the morning welcoming students to the new public-private partnership school.
“We know Victorian families want the best possible education for their kids, that’s why we are opening new schools and redeveloping schools across the state,” Ms Pike said.
“These new partnerships Victoria schools will enable Victorian students to get the best possible education in state-of-the-art buildings, no matter where they live.”
Ms Graley said that the opening of Alkira was a proud moment for all of the families who wanted a new secondary school for the local area.
“When I was elected, we promised to build this school, and we now have the most well-equipped school in Victoria,” she said.
“I know the students and staff will appreciate this fantastic new education setting.”