New schools open to acclaim

The opening of new State primary and secondary schools within The Hunt Club community in February created a major landmark and milestone moment in the estate’s young history.

Cranbourne East Secondary College and Cranbourne East Primary School commenced classes on February 4 and according to their respective principals, both schools have made extremely positive and bright beginnings.

“It's been an absolutely exciting time,” reports Primary School principal Garry Rolfe.

“There is a real buzz around the place. I’ve been so impressed by the high level of enthusiasm from everyone – from the students, to the parents and our staff.”

Secondary School principal Barry Wiggs has experienced the same reaction as his colleague.

“The start of the year has been very smooth,” he confirms.

“Students and staff are very positive about the school and we’re very happy with the start of the year.”

Victorian Minister for Education, the Hon. Martin Dixon visited the Secondary School on February 11 to officially declare the facility open.

“It was a fantastic occasion,” Mr Wiggs says. “The Minister met students and toured the school before unveiling a plaque at a specially convened assembly.”

It is planned for the Primary School to have a separate event to mark its official opening.

The two newly-constructed state-of-the-art educational centres are located on the same site bounded by Broad Oak Drive, Corrigans Road, Stately Drive and Bowyer Avenue, with students sharing a number of facilities including gymnasium and theatre.

The Primary School has commenced its life with multiple classes in each level from Prep to Year 6, whilst the Secondary School’s curriculum is limited to Year 7 in its inaugural year. It is planned for the scope of the Secondary School to expand by one year level annually until the VCE program is incorporated.

For 2011, the Primary School has attracted just under 450 initial students spread across 21 grades – five Prep classes, two Year One classes, three classes each in Years 2, 3, 4 and 5, and two classes in Year 6. Educating and supervising the students are 31 staff including support personnel.

For its initial intake of Year 7 students, the Secondary School has commenced with 150 enrolments, a level it is comfortable with and aims to maintain. Teacher numbers at the Secondary School total eleven.

Both principals report that the concept of utilising some shared facilities had proved advantageous.

“It’s been outstanding. We are in a unique position and I can also see an opportunity to share teaching staff with specialist skills in the future,” Mr Rolfe states.

Mr Wiggs also recognises further potential in the shared services arrangement between the schools.

“Absolutely so, and I am looking forward to expanding the relationship over the years ahead,” he maintains.

Mr Rolfe says the feedback he had received walking around the grounds and talking to parents after school had been overwhelmingly positive and supportive.

“People are just so excited. Speaking to the parents, they are so impressed with the facilities,” he comments.

“We are already forming those positive relationships and I now look forward to really developing a wider school community environment involving staff, students, parents and our key external partners,” he adds.

Mr Wiggs has also been receiving nothing but widespread praise and endorsements since the Secondary School opened its doors.

“I have received a great deal of positive feedback on everything from our buildings to the quality of our teachers. People are saying everything is great,” he concludes.

For further information or enrolment enquiries, residents of The Hunt Club and surrounding areas are welcome to contact the respective offices on 5990 0400 (Cranbourne East Primary School) or 5990 0200 (Cranbourne East Secondary School).