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Monash chosen for selective-entry school

2 April 2008

From left: Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) Professor Adam Shoemaker, Minister for Education Bronwyn Pike, Premier of Victoria John Brumby, Vice-Chancellor Professor Richard Larkins and Pro Vice-Chancellor (Campus Coordination) Professor Phillip Steele.

The Berwick campus of Monash University is to be the home of a new selective-entry State Government senior school.

Premier John Brumby and Education Minister Bronwyn Pike made the announcement at a media conference at the campus yesterday (Tuesday 1 April).

Vice-Chancellor Professor Richard Larkins, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) Professor Adam Shoemaker and Campus Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Phillip Steele were present for the announcement.

Mr Brumby said the Victorian Government would invest $40 million to establish two new selective-entry schools in Melbourne's growth corridors, providing greater opportunities and choice for students in regional and outer suburban areas.

Monash University Council has agreed to put aside land to the north of the campus for construction of the new co-educational school, which is expected to be up and running in 2010. The area is recording one of the fastest population growth rates in Victoria.

The other school will be built in Melbourne's west in a partnership with the University of Melbourne.

Mr Brumby said locating the schools in the outer growth corridors would provide greater access for more high-achieving academic students from a broader range of suburbs and regional areas.

The Victorian Government will invest $40 million to establish two new selective-entry schools including one at the Monash Berwick campus.

He said both new selective-entry schools would take an initial enrolment of up to 200 Year 9 students in 2010, including places for highly-able students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

"This government is taking action to ensure Victorian families have the best schools. Parents want choice in the public education system and these two new schools will allow more students to get a place at a selective-entry school," Mr Brumby said.

Professor Larkins welcomed the announcement.

"Monash University is delighted that the new selective-entry high school is to be situated at the Monash University Berwick campus," Professor Larkins said.

"It will allow school students to see the opportunities presented by a university education and we hope inspire many of them to study at Monash University Berwick or other university campuses.

"There will be many synergies through shared facilities and services; it will make Berwick a real education hub."

Mr Brumby said the new school would have strong links with Monash.

"These partnerships will allow highly-able students to work on joint research projects, attend special classes and lectures and share facilities with a tertiary institution.

"There will be exciting opportunities for staff from the universities and schools to work together, share their knowledge and develop joint projects that will benefit students as well."

See also map of Berwick campus (pdf 1112kb) showing the proposed site of the new selective-entry school.