Community to have a say on school

The community will have a say in the continuing review of school needs in Docklands via a recently-formed community stakeholder group.

The Department of Education and Training is currently completing a review to assess primary and secondary school provision in Docklands, North Melbourne, the CBD and Carlton.

According to an Education Department spokesperson, the Community Reference Group (CRG) comprises 17 members, including 10 Docklands residents. The remainder live in nearby suburbs and the group also includes teachers and principals.

The aim of the group is to serve as a conduit for information between the Education Department, its consultants and the local community during the first stage of the school provision review.

The group was formed following a community workshop in Docklands attended by around 30 people at the end of October.

Serena Cheung is one of the Docklands residents who nominated for a position and was appointed to the CRG.

With a 15-month-old and another child on the way, advocating for a local school is extremely important to Ms Cheung.

“I love Docklands. I love living here - it’s such a great community. I work in the CBD and my husband works in Docklands, so it’s very convenient,” Ms Cheung said. “But without a local school we’ll be forced to move.”

She said many parents in her mother’s group were facing the same difficulties, with many considering moving out of the area due to the lack of schooling options.

Ms Cheung said she also nominated herself for the CRG in order to advocate for a bilingual school in Docklands.

“Because I have a Chinese background, I really want to advocate for a bilingual school. I want my children to keep the culture and learn the language,” Ms Cheung said.

Fellow CRG member Michelle Styles has lived at Yarra’s Edge with her family since 2009. With children aged four and seven, Ms Styles said there was a “desperate need” for a local school in Docklands.

“Docklands children miss out because they don’t have that school community in their home suburb,” Ms Styles said.

“There are children living here who want to be educated in the suburb they live, and it’s just as important for the wider community.”

Through her role on the CRG, Ms Styles said she hoped to make sure the voices of Docklands’ parents were heard.

The CRG will meet for the first time in early December.