Push for new high school

Leopold residents rally

LEOPOLD residents have begun a grassroots campaign to get their own secondary school amid concerns the area’s population growth will see demand for places outstrip supply.

A community meeting about the need for a secondary school will be held by Bellarine Liberal candidate Brian McKiterick today, giving residents a chance to raise their concerns.

Secondary students in Leopold are currently zoned to Newcomb Secondary College but with the population expected to continue in its trend of steady growth, families see the need for a second option.

Primary teacher Nyree Asmussen, who lives in Estuary Estate, wants her children — aged 3 and 1 — to go to school closer to home.

“I went to Newcomb Secondary College, I have nothing against the school. I was lucky I lived in Newcomb and went to Newcomb and I want my kids to have the same experience of going to a school nice and close to where they live,” she said.

Ms Asmussen’s neighbour Josh Robins, who is planning to have a family, is also part of the push for another secondary school in Leopold.

He first reached out to Bellarine MP Lisa Neville about the issue three years ago, following strong student population growth at Leopold Primary School.

“I found a lot of people were concerned and asking what is the plan for when they all reach secondary school,” he said. “We’re got massive infrastructure support for shops, playgrounds and sporting and community hubs but not too much planning for a secondary college.”

Mr McKiterick called a community meeting after being approached about the issue by residents.

“Certainly there’s a need to be on the front foot, especially with growing communities, not waiting until other schools are over their capacity. It’s about making decisions now that will ensure there is the ability for children to go to a local school,” he said.

But Ms Neville said the Department of Education assesses the demographic and enrolment trends of each community annually and has funded the schools servicing Leopold accordingly.

Bellarine Secondary College is being upgraded with $2.5 million while Newcomb Secondary College has received $1.4 million for upgrades and Geelong High will be completely rebuilt for $12 million.

“These schools currently have sufficient capacity to meet the needs of the local communities,” she said. “I will continue to work with the community and the Education Department to ensure that when, and if required, we have the land and the funding for a secondary school in Leopold.”

A community meeting will be held at Gateway Sanctuary, Leopold, at 2pm today.