Mount Rowan Secondary College – Ministerial Response
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Original adjournment matter from Juliana Addison MP to Parliament –
My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Education, and the action I seek is for the minister to visit my electorate of Wendouree to officially open the new classrooms and facilities at Mount Rowan Secondary College.
Mount Rowan college is an outstanding school in my electorate with a fantastic principal, incredible teachers, amazing support staff and more than 700 wonderful students. Since 2015 our government, the Labor government, has invested more than $21 million at Mount Rowan college, ensuring that the students and staff have the facilities they need and deserve. We have refurbished the performing arts facilities, the cafe, classrooms and the VCE centre. We have also upgraded and modernised the old administration areas, completed landscaping work, including irrigation and external lighting poles, and resurfaced the existing courts.
With increasing enrolments and a growing school, I was delighted that in the 2022 Victorian budget $6.114 million was announced to build new classrooms for specialist subjects of food technology, science and art, as well as a multipurpose room. I had the opportunity to walk through the new building at the end of last year before the students moved in, and it looks amazing. The learning spaces are bright and light, and the food and technology spaces are first class. I wish I had had facilities like this when I was a student, as well as when I was a teacher.
Mount Rowan college is emblematic of our government’s approach to teaching and learning in the Education State. That is why I look forward to welcoming the Minister for Education to Wendouree to visit Mount Rowan college and to introduce him to the amazing students and staff.
Response from the Hon. Ben Carroll MP, Minister for Education (28 March 2025) –
The Victorian Government is committed to growing educational opportunities for all Victorians. Since coming into government, we have funded $16.9 billion to build, upgrade, and maintain school infrastructure across Victoria. A high-quality education system must be matched by high-quality learning environments where students are engaged, stimulated, and encouraged to be creative thinkers.
Under the 2022–23 State Budget Mount Rowan Secondary College was allocated $6.114 million in funding to upgrade and modernize existing facilities, including classrooms, as part of a Year 9 Learning Centre.
A builder was appointed on 3 November 2023. Construction works for the new Year 9 Learning Centre commenced on the school site on 8 December 2023. This project included a Food Technology space, an Art space, a Science space, a Multi-purpose area, 7 new general purpose classrooms, and student toilets, as well as staff work areas and landscaping works.
I am advised that construction works were completed on 2 October 2024, providing 21st century facilities for the school. I would be delighted to meet with the Member for Wendouree together with Mount Rowan Secondary College staff and students to officially open the new facilities.