By Jed Lanyon
Yarra Glen Primary School celebrated the recent opening of a new school building on Thursday 23 May.
Parliamentary Secretary for Schools Tim Richardson and Eildon State MP Cindy McLeish were on hand for a ribbon cutting ceremony to declare the building officially open.
The new building boasts several large classrooms that feature smart TV’s, large windows that provide great views out onto the school’s oval and long sliding doors that allow connecting classrooms to open up more space for a variety of activities.
Mr Richardson and Ms McLeish were given a tour of the new facilities before speaking to students at an assembly.
“It was wonderful to join the whole Yarra Glen Primary School community today to officially open its new modular building,” Mr Richardson said.
“This new building provides the school with four modern and flexible classrooms and ensures the students have the facilities to match the first class education they already receive.
“Modular buildings are modern in design and purpose fit for learning. They also have the added benefit of being made off site and delivered to the school which minimises disruption to students learning and development,” he said.
Ms McLeish said that she was pleased that the new modular buildings were built locally in the Kinglake Ranges.
“It was wonderful to join the school community for the opening.”
“It’s important that school buildings no longer fit for purpose are replaced to give local kids the resources they need,” Ms McLeish said.
The day coincided with Return to School Day, where the school invited parents and grandparents to take part in a morning tea catered by Heartland Church.
Acting Principal Gerard Fay said, “The aim of today was for Yarra Glen Primary School to continue to promote itself as a community hub.”
“This day allowed grandparents and parents to come back into the school to see what the school is doing and the great things that are happening.”
One parent Vanessa Wood is looking forward to see the students benefit from the new school building.
“I like the brightness and airiness that it brings in to each room. They’re not dark and old schoolrooms like they used to be. It’s like they’re bringing the outside in,” she said.
“I think the best thing is that the kids are all working together, it doesn’t matter what age they are.
“I mean they all have their own space for each grade but it’s very much about them all learning and educating together,” Ms Wood.
Another parent Rebecca Holland said that students have been keen to show off the new rooms to their parents.
“The kids have been so excited; it’s really reinvigorated them to want to be at school,” she said.
“Having that communal area where they can break out and do things is really making a big difference.”
