Cade Lucas
Like the rest of Victoria, students in Wyndham returned to class on Wednesday, but for those attending six public schools, the day was extra significant.
Bemin Secondary College and Warreen Primary School in Truganina, Brinbeal Secondary College and Wimba Primary School in Tarneit, Laa Yulta Primary School in Mambourin and Nganboo Borron School in Werribee, all opened their doors for the first time on January 31.
With Walcom Ngarrwa Secondary College in Werribee welcoming students a day earlier on Tuesday January 30, a total of seven new public schools have opened in Wyndham in 2024.
Bemin Secondary College principal Joanne Camozzato was appointed to the role in April last year and said setting up a new school was a unique experience.
“Everything that you see in established schools, like a sign even, you know like ‘don’t park here’, you have to put everything in place from square one, let alone all the curriculum, your school culture, your relationship with families, with the local community, everything has to be established.”
She said it was gratifying to see all that hard work pay off.
“It was really great to see the youngest students here with their families and the parents have been, I think, really surprised at all the facilities. Even the outdoor facilities are great for the kids.”
Bemin Secondary College is the first secondary school in Truganina and is spread across junior and senior campuses a few kilometers apart.
The junior campus on Everton Road currently has only year 7 students, with years 8 and 9 to be added over coming years, while the senior campus on Morris Road only has year 10 students, with year 11 and 12 classes to come.
In nearby Tarneit, Wimba Primary School has opened to students just starting their education.
“It’s been amazing,” said inaugural principal Paul Schwartz.
“This journey started in March last year for me and to see the planning go from a piece of dirt to now buildings where classrooms and students are learning in nine months
has been pretty amazing.”
Wimba Primary already has 200 enrollments and according to Mr Schwartz, almost all are from the surrounding area.
He said local parents have embraced the convenience of having a new school nearby.
“All of our families live within the community, the New Haven estate or the Orchid Estate, so they’re pretty close by. They’re really stoked that they can walk to school and they can ride their bikes to school safely.”
