Melbourne High School calls for donations to repair ‘substandard’ classrooms
THE principal of one of Melbourne’s most prestigious public schools says students are being taught in “substandard” classrooms not updated in more than 50 years.
Education
Don't miss out on the headlines from Education . Followed categories will be added to My News.
THE principal of one of Melbourne’s most prestigious public schools says students are being taught in “substandard” classrooms not updated in more than 50 years.
The selective-entry Melbourne High School — which counts trucking magnate Lindsay Fox among its past pupils — has taken matters into its own hands and appealed for donations to fix decaying buildings.
In his principal’s report, Jeremy Ludowyke said that while the school “offers a quality of education that is second to none ... the same cannot be said about the condition of our classrooms”.
TIPS FOR STUDENTS, PARENTS DURING VCE
BIGGEST REFORM TO VCE, VCAL IN DECADES
“The funding provided by the government to maintain our facilities makes no allowance for the age and heritage status of our buildings,” Mr Ludowyke wrote.
“The School is forced to use local funds just to maintain basic services and maintenance.
“Unless our community take matters into our own our students and staff will continue to work in substandard conditions.”
The all-boys school will hold a “Day of Action” telethon, calling benefactors and community members to appeal for donations to overhaul 50 classrooms.
Mr Ludowyke wrote that Melbourne High’s co-curricular and academic programs were “the envy of schools with annual charges in excess of $30,000”.
However, most of its classrooms had not been refurbished in more than five decades.
The school, which will celebrate its centenary in 2027, was “certainly feeling the wear and tear”.
WHAT PARENTS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT VCE
A Department of Education and Training spokeswoman said Melbourne High had received $485,350 in maintenance funding since 2015, and would continue to receive annual maintenance funding that “takes into account the many characteristics of a school’s building, such as age”.
“The infrastructure requirements of all schools are considered through the budget process when determining future priorities for the capital works program,” she said.
“The challenge is to responsibly balance and prioritise the needs of over 1,500 government schools in Victoria, all in varying condition.”
The “Day of Action” will be held on December 6.
Which unis give you best odds of finding a job?
Nine out of 10 graduates from Victorian universities are working full-time three years after finishing their studies. See which are the top-ranked institutions for higher education in Victoria.
Your guide to schools around Dandenong
As more people move to Dandenong and Endeavour Hills, the need for secondary schools in the area grows. Here’s a comprehensive guide of each school you can send your child to, including the VCE scores, subjects and public transport options.