Push for new school

Alex de Vos
Concerned parents have formed a community action group to push for a stand alone secondary school in Torquay.
Torquay’s Janice Jessen, who is leading the fight for a local high school, said she was “not comfortable” with the State Government’s plans to expand Torquay College with a second P-9 campus.
She demanded the government build a full secondary school.
“We believe a stand alone 7-12 secondary school is justified for educational needs and population growth of the area,” Ms Jessen said.
In one week, more than 50 parents have joined the group, named ‘Concerned Parents About Torquay-Surf Coast Schooling’.
On Tuesday morning members gathered at a Torquay café to voice their concerns about the high school black hole.
Local resident Glenda Arenson said she was also concerned about a lack of information on the government’s future education plans.
“All the information about the new school is dubbed confidential and we want the walls broken down,” Ms Arenson said.
The Independent revealed in February that Torquay College had called on State Government to expand the school with a second campus.
Principal Pam Kinsman said the school’s council recommended to the government to build the new primary campus alongside Surf Coast Shire’s proposed community and civic precinct in Torquay’s north.
She said the new prep-to-grade-six school would operate under the Torquay College banner, with the option of accommodating year-seven-to-nine students when the catchment population increased.
She said the Government was negotiating with the shire to use its land adjacent to Torquay College for the additional year-10-to-12 facilities after the shire’s offices moved to the civic precinct.
Ms Kinsman believed an additional Torquay College campus would benefit students, parents and teachers.
But mother-of-four Justine Marion feared the proposed campus would ignite a spate of bullying.
“The children will be moved based on where they live and will be split from their friends,” Ms Marion said.
“There will be a segregation of children which leads to bullying.”
Bellbrae’s Belinda Kirk likened the plight of Surf Coast residents to Yarraville, where they are campaigning for a new high school to serve the Seddon, Kingsville and Yarraville areas.
She believed the Torquay’s population could support a full secondary school.
“Why can’t we have a stand alone school?”
“Something needs to be done about it.”
The group is set to hold a public meeting on June 21.
Member for South Barwon Michael Crutchfield said State Government was “committed” to providing a full secondary school in Torquay.
“Parents of current students have an expectation that we will honour our commitment on a seamless transition of their schooling on the current council site,” Mr Crutchfield said.
“I fully envisage and would encourage the local school community to become involved in the consultation process when the department announces this.”