By Charlene Gatt
AT YARRAVILLE West Primary School, space is at a premium.
So much so that Liberal MP Bernie Finn referred to it as “the smallest school I have ever visited in my life” when he addressed Parliament late last month.
The school is calling for a double storey portable classroom to free up some asphalt that is currently over-crowded with three portable buildings.
Principal Carole Tempany told Star last week she was keen to get one of the double storey portables in after seeing them at Albert Park and Middle Park primary schools.
“As soon as I saw them (the double story portables), I recognised what a godsend they’d be for our school, because they’d free up all this yard space that, at the moment, has three portable classes sitting on them,” she said.
“We’ve got some space issues.
“A lot of what we’ve had to do has been at our expense because of the growth in the area. We’ve had to use our money to creatively create teaching spaces.”
Such creativity has included turning an old shower room into a music tuition room for one-on-one classes.
Mr Finn called on Education Minister Martin Dixon to give the school a two-storey classroom.
“I commend the principal, staff and parents, who have done a wonderful job in utilising the little space they have,” he said.
“Playground space is at a premium at the Yarraville West Primary School. There is an oval next door, which it is sometimes allowed to use, but there is no guarantee.
“Every nook and cranny has been turned into its own productive space for the children and teachers at this school. They are fighting a tough battle and clearly need a hand.”
