By YASEMIN TALAT
AN urgent Public Forum to gain funding for Werribee Secondary College was held at the school last week with more than 100 attendees concerned for the safety and wellbeing of students and staff.
“How long should our children be exposed to these hazards before the school can get Stage 3 funding?” a concerned parent asked.
“And who is responsible if someone is injured here?”
Staff, students and parents of the school filled the auditorium of the College to discuss the school’s deteriorating state, seeking public support in a bid to gain immediate funding to improve the old buildings.
State Member for Tarneit Tim Pallas and Greens MLC Colleen Hartland addressed the issue and saw first-hand the tragic school buildings and grounds which needed attention.
The vermin infested long corridor, electrocuted possums found in switchboards across the school, collapsing and patched up ceilings, maggot infested light bulbs and blocked drains were just a handful of the hazard risks posed to the 1500 students and teachers.
Werribee Secondary College school principal, Steve Butyn, said he could not understand why the school was taking longer to rebuild than the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
“We are in need to have that stage 3 funding,” Mr Butyn said of the 57-year-old school.
The school, which was originally built in 1956, first embarked on early stages of rebuilding in 2001 followed by stage one and two funding over the 2006-2008 period before the funding halted.
“Our college council is very much frustrated and confused as to why this is happening, or why this is not happening,” he said.
The College is internationally accredited by the Council of International Schools and the International Baccalaureate Organisation, and their continued accreditation is largely dependent upon State and Government completing previously promised Stage 3 building works, Mr Butyn said.
“We are very much an international school in terms of our recognition and accreditation,” he said.
“What it says is the teachers and the wonderful work they do for our students, they’re right up there and meet international conditions and requirements; however our buildings fall behind.”
The school has a team of two full-time and two part-time maintenance workers who work around the clock to ensure the safest possible environment, but at great cost to the school.
President of the College Council Alaine Beek said she couldn’t believe old buildings from when she attended the school were still there and still in use.
“I cannot understand why this school has somehow fallen down into the bottom of the heap,” she said.
Following the meeting Ms Beek and President of the College Council presented Mr Andrew Elsbury with the business case to pass onto Premier Dr Denis Napthine.
