Cobram Primary School welcomed the ministerial opening of a key learning centre at the school last week.
The project, part of a $10m investment in the school by the state government, houses classrooms and learning spaces for students across the school’s junior cohort.
Cobram Primary School principal Claye Runnalls expressed his excitement at the opportunities the building presented the school’s students and staff.
“We’re aware that no building will ever teach our students, but having these wonderful facilities will help attract and retain current and future staff members,” Mr Runnalls said.
“Now we can match our first-class education with state-of-the-art facilities.
“As a school community, we want to thank the state government for investing in our school and public schools across Victoria. Our school is free to attend, and to be able to offer the amazing facilities that we do can give our students the best possible start in life on their schooling journey.”
State Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes attended the official opening on Friday, December 6.
Ms Symes congratulated the school community on the opening of the new building.
“The school community should be so proud,” she said.
“It’s a good, growing school. Its reputation is going great, in terms of a great place to be educated.”
Ms Symes, Mr Runnalls and assistant principal Jeremy O’Brien were joined by representatives from the Department of Education and the school’s council.
“When you’ve got good teachers,” Ms Symes said, “having new facilities to suit that calibre means that they’re going to go from strength to strength.
Ms Symes said she had delivered much investment to country schools across northern Victoria as an MP for 10 years.
“There’s quite a few more on our to-do list, but the investment from our government to regional schools has been pretty impressive,” she said.
“It’s what country communities deserve.”
Victorian Minister for Education Ben Carroll said every student deserved world-class facilities at their school.
“We are building the education state to ensure every Victorian student has access to a quality education close to home, regardless of their background or where they live,” he said.
In the 2021-22 state budget, Cobram Primary School was allocated $10 million for upgrade and modernisation works to its existing infrastructure.
The project also included upgrades to the school’s administration building.