Ms ADDISON (Wendouree) (19:17): My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Education, and the action I seek is for the minister to provide me with an update on what measures are being undertaken to keep our students safe and our schools open throughout term 1 in my electorate of Wendouree.

As a former teacher and as a parent of school-aged children, I know firsthand how important face-to-face learning is. I am proud to be a member of the Andrews Labor government, which is investing in our schools, providing learning spaces that are safe and keeping our schools open across the state.

After two years of interrupted onsite learning, and as we transition into the next phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is so important that our schools are safe environments for our dedicated teachers and support staff to work and our children to learn and play in. Face-to-face classroom teaching and attending school each day is optimal—not only for learning outcomes for students but for their wellbeing. That is why we have done the work to get students safely back in the classroom and are making sure they stay there.

The Andrews Labor government has implemented a comprehensive return-to-school plan to keep education settings open, while taking every measure to protect students and staff from the spread of COVID. No other state has taken such strong steps to protect students, staff and school communities.

I wish to take the opportunity to thank the minister for his strong commitment to supporting and upgrading schools across the electorate of Wendouree. Major investments and new initiatives have been committed to for many of the schools in my electorate to make our schools fit for purpose for 21st century learners and as safe as possible for Victorian students. We have funded work at the Ballarat Specialist School, Black Hill Primary, Ballarat North Primary, Dana Street Primary, Forest Street Primary, Alfredton Primary, Macarthur Street Primary and Newington Primary.

I would also like to highlight the outstanding achievements of the Wendouree Primary School in the latest NAPLAN results. I congratulate principal Christine Branagh, acting principal Shelley Backwell, staff and students on the strong results in numeracy and literacy. I note the big gains made in students’ maths skills. Well done to the teachers and students alike.

I look forward to seeing more great results from students across my electorate as we continue to invest in our teachers and our schools to make them great places for teaching and learning. I look forward to receiving the update from the Minister for Education on the measures to be taken to ensure the safety of staff and students throughout Ballarat in the future.

Read the Minister’s response here – or for more of my contributions in Parliament, click here.