Labor pledges $100k for Preston high school feasibility study

A CAMPAIGN for a new public high school in Preston has taken a big step with Labor pledging $100,000 for a feasibility study.

Anh Mai-Lane has started a campaign to open a co-ed 7-12 high school in Preston. Pictured with her son Marcus (4 months) and concerned residents. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

A GRASSROOTS campaign for a new open-entry public high school in Preston has had a big win, with Labor pledging to complete a $100,000 feasibility study.

Preston state Labor MP Robin Scott last week promised to undertake the study into a high school on the former Preston Girls Secondary College site.

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Preston state Labor MP Robin Scott promised a study into a new high school.

“The issue is to examine how the site could be used for public education,” Mr Scott said.

The campaign to save the former girls college site in Cooma St was a key factor in Labor’s pledge.

“The critical thing was the campaign to save the school site for public education,” he said.

“Now there needs to be a study to look at how it can be used in the future.

“It’s a fantastic site, it’s well located, it’s got great ­potential, and I’m looking forward to the day it’s once again a place where young minds are shaped for the ­future.” - Robin Scott

High School for Preston campaign founder Anh Mai welcomed the election promise.

“It’s the first step on a journey to getting our community a high school,” Ms Mai said.

Anh Mai with her children Emma and Marcus.

“We’ve put so much effort into this campaign, and it’s mums and dads and concerned citizens, so we’re all here on a voluntary basis and we’ve put so much effort in, so it’s a great result.”

A High School for Preston candidates forum held last week hosted Mr Scott, Liberal state candidate John Forster, and Upper House candidates Maria Rigoni (Palmer United Party) and Alex Bhathal (Greens).

Mr Forster, Ms Rigoni and Mr Bhathal were all asked if they would commit to funding a feasibility study, to which all but Ms Rigoni answered “maybe”.

Ms Rigoni said she couldn’t answer the question because her party ­planned to focus on holding the State Government to ­account from the Upper House.

Mr Forster said that, if elected, he would be “a strong voice for the movement on a state level”.

Ms Mai said her group would continue to push for the State Government to reopen Preston Girls Secondary College as a co-ed high school by 2019

For more information go to the High School for Preston Facebook page.