Tuesday, 20 September 2022

Coburg High School

The Petition of certain citizens of the State of Victoria draws to the attention of the Legislative Council that Coburg High School (CHS) is the largest school in the Pascoe Vale electorate with 1,225 enrolments in 2022, yet it is consistently overlooked for critical infrastructure funding.

After a long community campaign, CHS was reopened in 2015. It is a vibrant, diverse and inclusive school with dedicated teachers, exceptional leadership, strong community engagement and excellent student results. Critical infrastructure to support the school’s rapid growth has never been adequately funded. CHS is currently under resourced by 18 specialist learning classrooms and lacking appropriate facilities for subjects like STEM, performing arts, visual arts and sports. This deficit will rise to 21 when the projected enrolment of 1,475 in 2027 is reached. It lacks the quality facilities of neighbouring schools with music lessons held in storage cupboards, science classes in portables without lab facilities and students counselled out of taking food technology as there is only one commercial kitchen for the entire school.

With the introduction of the Vocational Major and Victorian Pathways Certificate in 2023, CHS needs to be able to retain senior students and provide the educational opportunities they deserve.

A commitment to Capital Works funding by the Victorian State Government will ensure our students have access to all parts of the Victorian curriculum and vocational specialisations and our transformational infrastructure projects.

The petitioners therefore request that the Legislative Council call on the Government to urgently commit Capital Works funding for Coburg High School so they may create adequate facilities that will meet the learning needs of current and future students.

By Ms PATTEN (Northern Metropolitan) (2048 signatures).

Laid on table.