The Hon Ben Carroll MP Minister Minister Minister Minister
for for for for
Public Transport Roads and Road Safety Industry Support and Recovery Business Precincts
473 Keilor Road, Niddrie, VIC 3042 Email:
[email protected] Date: 30 July 2022 Dear Mr Carroll, We are writing to you as concerned community members of the Seat of Niddrie regarding Buckley Park College which is a co-educational state-run secondary college that currently has 930 students from years 7 to 12. Buckley Park College has been providing high-level education to the local students since 1963, the students have achieved excellent VCE results over the years, and the school is considered the “school of choice” in the local Essendon area. The students have great pride in attending and learning at the College. In the recent Victoria 2022/23 budget announcement, we are excited to see that the Victorian Labor Government has committed to investing $1.8 billion to build new schools and improve existing schools to ensure our children have the bright future they deserve. However, we are disappointed that Buckley Park College is not listed as one to be upgraded. We, as a community, feel that the students could take their achievements, success and learning to the next level if the school facilities can be updated to a higher standard. When parents are touring around the school and absorbing the condition of the facilities where our children are receiving their education, it is very apparent that many of the classrooms and facilities are aged, outdated and some of them no longer serve their purpose. With today’s fast-changing environment, the school learning spaces would undoubtedly need more modern and up-to-date facilities in order to provide the ‘future of Australia’ with a better learning enviornment, diversity of activities and to offer inspiration in the students day-to-day learning. Some of the school spaces in most urgent need of upgrade and rectification where funding is needed include (but are not limited to) the following: Science Learning Space (see Images 1-4) The Science Lab has not been upgraded for over four decades, the current science learning space is very small and has a limited learning space for collaboration. It desperately needs more space, and dynamic & modern equipment to elevate the student’s science learning experience. The STEM initiative is in its infancy and needs to be present in the College to
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promote science to all students and to foster inspirational, connective and collaborative learning. There are students interested in studying Science in their senior years and pursuing this as a career pathway which needs to be encouraged and promoted with well-presented facilities. Food Technology (Image 5) The Food Technology space has not been updated in a decade and has old ovens, kitchenware and cooking equipment for student use. The students take pride in their work, however an overhaul and modernisation in this area would further inspire the students and create a vibrant food technology space. The Art Rooms & Woodwork Technology (Images 6-10) The Art & Woodwork Technology Rooms, although functional, are also in need of a facelift. A vibrant and modern space in these areas would better connect and foster a love of the arts in our students. Students are entering the school with expectations and are being met with “tired”, run-down and out-dated facilities. These spaces need to be improved to encourage student participation and the injection of some modern and updated equipment is a necessity. Upgraded school learning spaces and new equipment to better support the 21st Century learning opportunities should apply to all schools and students in Victoria. However, we feel that our school is consistently being overlooked when it comes to government funding. Not only will new facilities support and enhance student learning, they will also be used by the broader community. We are requesting a review and consideration from our local government members regarding providing sufficient funding for the much needed upgrade that our school deserves. We sincerely invite you to visit Buckley Park College and allow us to show you around the school and discuss the potential future planning and funding at your earliest convenience. Any queries, please contact the Friends of Buckley Park by email
[email protected] Looking forward to your reply, Kind Regards, The Friends of Buckley Park
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Science Learning Space – Images 1 - 4
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Food Technology – Image 5
Art Rooms & Woodwork Technology – Images 6-10
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Additional Images – Grounds & Building
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