By Jed Lanyon
The Victorian Government has announced several funding programs that will benefit kindergartens, primary and secondary schools across the Yarra Ranges and Dandenong Ranges.
Emerald Secondary College, Lilydale Heights College, Lilydale High School and Mooroolbark College will soon be provided funding to recruit a mental health practitioner. The $51.2 million initiative will see qualified mental health professionals in every government secondary school campus across the state, including psychologists, social workers, occupational therapists and mental health nurses.
In recognition of the increased mental health challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic, the roll-out has been brought forward to be completed by the end of 2021. Yarra Ranges schools have been given a timeline of Term 1 for the Mental Health Practitioners initiative.
Mental health practitioners will offer counselling and early intervention services, and coordinate support for students with complex needs, linking them with broader allied and community health services.
All government secondary schools will receive between one and five days a week of support from a mental health practitioner depending on its size and requirements.
Minister for Education James Merlino said, “So many of our young people are experiencing mental health challenges – this will make it easier for them to access the support they need at school.
“This is one of the biggest issues raised with me when I talk to students, parents and carers and schools.”
Another initiative will see Yarra Ranges kindergartens receive funding through the Building Blocks IT grants program for the purchase of essential IT equipment to improve the learning environment of three and four year olds.
This includes laptops, iPads and smart TVs to help deliver early childhood curriculum and service administration.
Seville Preschool, Lilydale North Preschool, Rolling Hills Kindergarten, Cire Children’s Service in Chirnside Park and Mount Evelyn are among 784 kindergartens set to benefit from $1 million in grants.
Several local schools also received funding to deliver vital maintenance and safety works through a bushfire preparedness program and a planned maintenance program.
The bushfire preparedness funding will see 346 schools share in more than $9 million to clear vegetation and undertake other essential maintenance ahead of the upcoming bushfire season.
Birmingham, Gruyere, Mount Evelyn, Seville, Wandin North, Wandin Yallock, Cockatoo, Emerald and Gembrook primary school’s are all set to benefit, along with Yarra Hills Secondary College, Yarra Ranges Special Development School and Emerald Secondary College.
The funding for these schools ranges from $15,952 to $39,641 each.
Cockatoo Primary School is also set to receive $15,000 to address high priority maintenance works, including benchtop replacement, cupboard replacement, floor repair, handrail/balustrade repair, painting works, roof repair and wall repair.
Sherbrooke Community School will receive $155,000 to address high priority maintenance, including floor repair, handrail/balustrade repair, painting works, roof repair, structural repair, wall repair and window repair and the school’s Shelter In Place building.
“These projects will create jobs, boost local businesses and create safer schools for kids across the state,” Mr Merlino said.
