BROADFORD Secondary College students have scored a win ahead of the 2027 school year, with additional classroom capacity announced through two new modular buildings.
The announcement was made by Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes, who said these new buildings add to more upgrades that have been made to the facilities over the last few years.
This announcement also comes in the wake of recently announced school zoning changes for Kilmore, with local families having a shared school zone now, allowing them to pick between Wallan Secondary College or Broadford.
There will also be an extra bus for Kilmore-based students.
In last year’s budget, Broadford Secondary College received $500,000 to commence planning for a new state-of-the-art double-storey shared learning facility with a dedicated STEM centre, repurposing and updating existing spaces and addressing outdated facilities.
Ms Symes said, as part of the release, that a future secondary school in Kilmore was recognised and respected, but projected numbers weren’t quite sufficient to support high schools in the catchment.
“We all want the best possible public education options and opportunities for local students, across Broadford, Kilmore, Wallan and surrounding areas, now and into the future,” she said.
“At this time, investing in Broadford Secondary College and Wallan Secondary College is the best way to deliver this. Current and projected enrolment numbers are not sufficient to support three thriving public high schools in the catchment.
“A future secondary school located in Kilmore is important to many in the community. The advocacy is recognised and appreciated. This will be respected with the commitment to ongoing reviews of population and community needs and we will work with the council to identify suitable locations, when the time is right.”
Ms Symes said, in the meantime, that Kilmore families finally scored a win with the option to pick secondary schools for their children.
“Kilmore families have spoken and we’ve listened – we’re getting rid of the line that dictates school choice and separates friendship groups, and we’re providing the freedom to choose a great public secondary school that suits them,” she said.
“By continuing to invest in Broadford Secondary College and Wallan Secondary College, we’re delivering world-class public education opportunities for local kids.
“I’m backing the great schools we have. I’m ensuring these schools are even better in the future – addressing enrolment pressures at Broadford with more modern facilities, plans for expansions and guaranteed seats on buses from Kilmore.”
