Upgrades on the way for secondary school PATTERSON River Secondary College is set for a $7.2 million upgrade. The state government announced last week that upgrade works at the school are set to go ahead. The school will receive funding to demolish the old administration and home economics rooms and build new classrooms and facilities. The science block at the school will also be upgraded. The project will go to tender in the near future, with works expected in the second half of the year. Carrum MP Sonya Kilkenny said
“Patterson River Secondary College is a fantastic local school with such dedicated and committed teaching and support staff and a fabulous school community. This major upgrade will make this wonderful local school even better.” “I promised to upgrade Patterson River Secondary College and that’s exactly what we’re doing,” she said. “I want to see all kids, whatever their background or circumstances, have access to a great local school and get a world class education.”
The school received $800,000 to get started on works in the last state budget. The upgrades were promised at the 2018 state election.
CARRUM MP Sonya Kilkenny and education minister James Merlino with students at Patterson River Secondary College, before schools were shut. Picture: Supplied
Back to school date scheduled Brodie Cowburn brodie@baysidenews.com.au STUDENTS are set to get back into school classrooms next week. Students statewide have been undertaking remote learning during Term 2 while the coronavirus pandemic has been ongoing. The state government has now announced a path back to onsite learning for Victorian students. On 26 May prep, grade one, grade two, VCE, and VCAL students will return to schools. Specialist school students will also return to onsite learning at the same time. Students in years three to ten are scheduled to return to onsite learning on 9 June, although can return to schools before then if their parents or carers are unable to work from home. A pupil free day has been scheduled for 25 May to allow teachers a chance to prepare for the return of students. Education minister James Merlino said “we know remote learning has been challenging, but our principals, teachers, support staff, students and families have done an outstanding job making it work.” The state government will spend up to $45 million on cleaning measures for schools in terms two and three. Premier Daniel Andrews said “as a father of three kids who have been learning from home, I know this has been a really challenging time for many families but thanks to everyone’s efforts in sticking to the rules
and getting tested, we’re now able to start getting our kids back into the classroom.” “Having most of our kids learning from home has made a big contribution to limiting the number of people moving around the community and reduced the spread of the virus,” he said.
Restaurants may open doors soon RESTAURANTS and cafes may soon be able to reopen their doors. Premier Daniel Andrews last week outlined a pathway for hospitality businesses to start seating patrons again. The first step will see cafes, restaurants, and pubs able to serve 20 customers at a time from 1 June. From 22 June the limit on patrons is expected to increase to 50, and from mid-July it may increase to 100. The easing of restrictions are subject to change if a spike in COVID-19 cases is reported. “After smashing through our goal of 50,000 tests in the last week, the results of this data has given us the confidence we need to plan to slowly start lifting some more restrictions,” Mr Andrews said. “The continuing low numbers of community transmission and the high rates of testing give us confidence that cafes, restaurants, pubs and other hospitality businesses can begin planning for a phased reopening from the beginning of June. “This industry has told us they need time to plan and prepare to protect the safety of their staff and customers. Making these announcements now will be giving them that time. “We need to be clear though, this is not a done deal. These timelines will depend on how we’re tracking.”
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mentone.girls.sc@education.vic.gov.au Cnr Balcombe & Charman Roads, Mentone Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News 20 May 2020
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