By BRIDGET SCOTT
THE Cranbourne South Primary School community can look forward to a bright future ahead following an announcement at the school on Tuesday.
Shadow Minister for Education and deputy party leader James Merlino attended the school on Tuesday to announce that, if elected, the Labor Government will relocate the Cranbourne South Primary School to the Cranbourne South West Primary school.
Construction would commence at this site early next year.
Mr Merlino said it was time for the school to have an upgrade.
“The school is tired and inappropriately located,” he said.
“It’s next to a petrol station and a bottle shop.”
“It needs facilities to meet the standard of the teaching offered.”
Principal Joseph Kelly welcomed the announcement, and said the school was well overdue for an update.
“The school community has waited for a very long time for a definite plan regarding our future,” he said.
“Our current facilities are well below the standards that students will enjoy in a new school.”
The school currently hosts more than 300 students and Mr Kelly said enrolments have increased by 27 per cent over the past five years.
The new location will be within the Casiana Grove Estate, further down the road from the current location of the school.
Mr Merlino said the funding was already there and the tender process should be completed by February next year.
Mr Merlino said building a new school down the road and not catering for the current Cranbourne South Primary School was “not an option.”
“It’s a better school for the whole community.”
Parent and president of the school council Sam Minto said it was something they had been waiting for “for so long.”
“To finally get some reassurance” from a government in waiting “that it could possibly happen is encouraging,” he said.
“It’s something we’ve talked about and debated about at council for many years.”
Mr Minto, who has both a son and daughter at the school, said it felt as though the school was close to reaching its goal.
Mr Minto commended the school council for its hard work, as well as the principal.
“Jo has gone over and beyond for many years to get it for the community,” Mr Minto said.
Mr Minto hoped it would be well received by the entire school community.
“The parents’ initial reaction could be half-half,” he said.
“In the long run, they will realise it’s a win-win for everyone.”
