24.4.2012 Dear Minister Dixon, ‘We bought our family home seven years ago when our eldest child was 6 months old. We looked in the Melways, there were three primary schools and two kindergartens within walking distance. Even though it seemed so far away we looked for public secondary colleges and there were two within five kilometres. Perfect we thought. And it has been perfect, three children later we are thrilled with the kindergarten and local public primary school. But now we are devastated to discover that we have bought into a ‘black hole’ and cannot access either of these two secondary colleges (Strathmore and Brunswick SC). The population boom and lack of secondary schools in our region has created a crisis. Both of these schools of restricted enrolments zones and are capped. We are outside both of them. So where do my children go? Your department tells me Fawkner or Niddrie! We never go to these suburbs and have no links to them. They are 7 and 8 km respectively from our house. It would take ‘the children muttiple connections and around an hour on public transport to get there. Driving them is not feasible. We believe that itis crucial for our children’s health and wellbeing to develop strong and positive links with the community around them. Our family has those connections here. To send them to a school outside of where those links are feels not only unfair, but detrimental The recent opening and success of Albert Park College gives me hope that your department is listening, With far greater numbers of school aged children and predicted growth in this area, | have every confidence the same success would be replicated here in Coburg. Minister | hope that you agree that the people of Coburg/Pascoe Vale need a local secondary school and that the need is urgent. We appreciate your reading of this letter and look forward to your response. Sincerely, ‘Megan Eddy and Clinton Young.Department of Education and |» Early Childhood Development Regional Support Group 2 Treasury Pace East Metboure, Vitra 302 Telephone 613 94372000 Dx 210085 PO Box 8367 Melcure, Viera 3001 MIN 127995 Ms Megan Eddy and Mr Clinton Young =. Dear Ms Eddy and Mr Young Thank you for your letter of 24 April 2012 addressed to the Hon. Martin Dixon, MP, Minister for Education, regarding secondary school provision in the Coburg area, The Minister has asked me to reply on his behalf. The Victorian Government is committed to ensuring all Victorian children have access to the highest quality education possible. Last year the Minister for Education requested the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development to review the demographic data and examine options for secondary education provision in the Coburg area. This review is now complete and a number of potential options have been identified, including a Year 7-12 high school in Coburg. The report has been provided to the Minister for his review prior to making any decisions. If you would like further information, you may contact Mr Scott Ware, Acting Manager, Integrated Planning Unit, Regional Support Division, Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, on 9637 3682, or by email: ware,scott.s@edumail,vic.gov.au. Thank you for your interest in government school education in the Coburg area. I commend your interest in your children’s education provision,