Wednesday, 4 October 2023

Western English Language School

Sarah CONNOLLY (Laverton) (19:06): (354) My adjournment is for the Minister for Education, and the action I seek is that the minister join me in visiting Western English Language School in Braybrook. As the new minister well knows as a westie himself, Western English Language School plays a vital role in preparing children, especially those from migrant backgrounds, with the linguistic skills needed to participate in an English-speaking classroom. For newly arrived kids these schools are absolutely vital to get them into mainstream learning. Victoria is the Education State, and that is applied to all Victorians, whether they were born here or not and whether they speak English or not. Ensuring that these kids get the best learning outcomes possible is something I know our government strongly believes in, having recently invested an additional $37.9 million into supporting English language schools across Victoria.

Of course Western English Language School does not just benefit students in my electorate; folks from all across Melbourne’s west send their kids to these schools, with five campuses across Melbourne’s west. And if I am not mistaken, a new campus has opened in Melton. The Braybrook campus is the main hub, with over 250 students from years prep to 10. It would be a wonderful opportunity for the minister to come and visit this school to see the kids, meet them, meet parents and not only hear firsthand from the school community how this new funding will deliver life-changing benefits but also hear directly about the school’s future needs.