By XAVIER SMERDON
ONE of Wyndham’s oldest and most respected schools is at risk of losing its international accreditation if it does not receive urgent upgrades to some of its crumbling facilities.
Werribee Secondary College brought in independent risk assessors to determine what aspects of some of the buildings were dangerous to students and staff.
They reportedly found thousands of risks and the school has now developed a business case which will be submitted to the State Government.
The business case will request $7 million in immediate funding to lower the risks at the school.
Star visited the school recently and was shown crumbling walls, flood damage and other damage throughout one third of the school.
Dead maggots have also filled light fixtures in some of the buildings where possums have died in the roof.
“College Council has declared an imperative that the safety and wellbeing of the children and staff at Werribee Secondary College are no longer to be compromised,” Deputy Principal of the Werribee Secondary College Greg Lentini said.
CEO of the Committee for Wyndham, Chris Potaris, said the school, which is the only one in Victoria to offer the International Baccalaureate and one of a handful around Australia to be internationally accredited, was at risk of losing its reputation.
“The Council of International School’s Accreditation Team has warned that the physical amenities of the school aren’t up to international standards and that if it isn’t rebuilt the school could lose their international accreditation and their international baccalaureate,” Mr Potaris said.
“If the school were to lose their international baccalaureate program, it would be a sad indictment on this current government.”
A spokesperson for Education Minister Martin Dixon said the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development’s Emergency Maintenance program helped schools to fix unforeseen infrastructure issues which pose an immediate risk to the health and safety of staff, students or visitors.
“The Government must responsibly balance and prioritise the capital needs of over 1,500 government schools in Victoria,” the spokesperson said.
“The needs of Werribee Secondary College will be considered as part of future budget deliberations.”
A public meeting will be held on 4 December from 6pm at the school.
