Kingswood Primary School students in crumbling, crowded buildings
BATHROOMS straight from the 1970s, two cubicles for more than 100 boys, buckets to collect water from leaky roofs — this school in Melbourne’s southeast hasn’t had serious upgrades since it opened in 1976. And now they’re pleading for cash.
Inner South
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BUCKETS collect rainwater from leaky roofs and children use ageing 1970s bathrooms in a school that’s had no major infrastructure funding for 42 years.
Fast-growing Kingswood Primary School is a beacon of academic excellence but the buildings are crumbling and crowded, with the only space left for more portables on the playground or running track.
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As the state election draws near, frustrated parents have urged politicians to make their school a funding priority. They said the Dingley Village school hasn’t received structure money from any government since it opened in 1976.
“When it rains we have buckets everywhere and the art room has a wall of water,” School council president Helen Evans said.
She said the school also wanted a technology hub, more space for students in the inclusion program, a sensory sanctuary for special needs students and make the library the focal point of the school.
“The State Government and the Education Department like to use this school as an example of how STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and maths) and inclusion programs should be run,” Ms Evans said.
“Teachers from across Australia and the world come to learn more about our programs. We’d like our facilities to measure up to the standard of those programs.
“We’ll have 650 students in 2019. There will be five Prep classes instead of four. There’s no space for more portables, unless they’re put on areas the community has funded, like the playgrounds, or the running track.”
The school received $5000 from the State Government in 2016 for a flag pole and $55,000 in 2012 for a new fence.
Keysborough state Labor MP Martin Pakula said he would be delighted to work with Kingswood over the next four years “to identify their needs and advocate on their behalf”.
Keysborough Liberal candidate Darrel Taylor said if elected he would pursue funding for the school.
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