Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has said the alternative to the Greater Shepparton Secondary College was years of more neglect, urging the community to throw its support behind what he called the biggest education project in regional Australia.
The school has moved to one campus in 2022.
Behavioural issues flared across three campuses at times in 2021 and briefly at the start of term one this year.
Mr Andrews officially opened the new campus on Friday, alongside Victorian Education Minister James Merlino, and said it was one of the most impressive schools he’d seen across the state.
Mr Merlino and Mr Andrews did not answer questions about what choice students and parents would have if they felt they could no longer attend the school; the premier said the choice facing the government was one between neglect or investment.
“For decades, Shepparton was neglected,” he said.
“Not just the schools but the hospital, the train line, for TAFE, housing, the list goes on and on and on.
“We’re proud to be here today. Not offering a record of neglect, but a record of profound investment in the things that changed lives.”
He said the government had made the choice not to neglect the school and behavioural issues would change due to “a new culture and even more positive future”.
Mr Merlino said speaking to principal Barbara O’Brien and to Year 12 students on Friday, the behaviour of students to start the school year had been “exemplary”.
He said there might be issues, but predicted those issues would be no different to any other school.
“From time to time ... there are issues that need to be dealt with and they are dealt with expertly by the team here at Shepperton and every other school,” Mr Merlino said.
He shrugged off suggestions students and parents have less choice due to a single campus and said there was a “massive support staff team” to care for students.
“The choice is about delivering every opportunity that young people need. The case for change was profound,” he said.
“Student outcomes well below state averages, opportunities not available for students.
“By bringing them together we give them a big school opportunities.”
“This has always been about the kids and that's why they’ve got massive choices in terms of electives in terms of VCE subjects.”