Students in Ballarat have a brand-new school to learn in, thanks to the Andrews Labor Government, as they join more than one million of their peers in going back to school for 2020.

Minister for Education James Merlino and Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison today officially opened the new $17.1 million Lucas Primary School and welcomed its first students, from Prep to Year 6.

Lucas Primary School is complete with state-of-the-art general and specialist teaching spaces, administration areas and a performing arts and physical education building.

The school was designed by architecture firm Architectus and built by construction company ADCO Constructions. The school is collocated next to Cherish Early Learning Centre, allowing local children to make a smooth transition from kindergarten and helping parents ditch the dreaded double drop off.

Every new Victorian primary school set to open will have a kindergarten on-site or next door, reducing the burden on parents and helping to build the Education State.

Lucas Primary School is one of 11 new schools opening in 2020 across the state.

2020 also marks the first year in the state’s history that more than one million students will attend school in Victoria across 1,543 government, 498 Catholic and 222 independent schools. More than 81,000 Preps will start school in 2020.

Under the Labor Government’s school building boom, a total of 100 new schools will open by 2026, ensuring every child can access a great local school where they can achieve their best. The Labor Government has invested $6.1 billion to deliver more than 1,400 school upgrades and supporting more than 7,500 construction jobs for Victorians.

And from day one of this school year, students at all Victorian government schools will be required to switch off their mobile phones and securely store them from the first bell to last bell during each school day.

This policy will remove a major distraction from our classrooms, so that teachers can teach and students can learn in a more focused, positive and supported environment. There has been positive results in a number of schools in Victoria that already have similar policies in place.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Education James Merlino

“Lucas Primary School is yet another great example of the school building boom that is happening right across Victoria.”

“Whether it’s achieving excellence, building a world-class education system or creating opportunities for every Victorian, we’re making sure that every student can make the most of school and get the best start in life.”

Quote attributable to Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison

“This new school has been designed from the ground up to best suit the needs of future Ballarat students.”