No Decision on Beaumaris Campus of Sandringham College

Bayside Victoria, long supporters of the Liberal Party, may see the tables turn next election due to the delay & indecision on location Beaumaris School Campus.

Ted Baillieu is at risk of losing long time, reliable "Liberal" seat in the Bayside area due to the ongoing procrastination on the decision for Beaumaris Campus of Sandringham College.

After 14 months of the local community banding together to support the separation of Beaumaris Campus into a stand-alone Year 7-12 High School, the feedback from Wednesday 27th Feb meeting was - "more research is required". The community are tired of the stalling, and want a date on when a decision will be made and if the original promised money is still available. But in true political style the question was answered with 'more time & more research' is needed.

When the local representative made a slip up, that they would need to "evaluate how the decision would affect surrounding schools including Sandringham Campus", there was a roar from the attending community. Although Sandringham College's school council voted unanimously to support a stand-alone school, many are still upset that they allowed it to deteriorate over the last 25 years with allocated funds being absorbed by their Sandringham & Highett Campus'.Local residents our outraged as to how this could have happened to a once thriving local school, that retained "the numbers" while the facilities were being maintained, but now sadly has as little as 120 students because it "looks like a dump". It is only through pure dedication & passionate staff that has kept it alive.

75% of the community would like to see the Beaumaris Campus become a 'Boys' Secondary School, given there are limited options for boys in the area. While 25% would like a public co-education high school.

Either way, evidence supports a stand alone school in Beaumaris. So what's the wait? Politics!

In the neighboring suburb, Mentone Girls Secondary College (MGSC), provides a highly sort after public girls high school, that attracts families to move into the catchment area, and includes students as far as Pennisula.

There are 5 established and well-populated primary schools in the area (Black Rock Primary, Beaumaris Primary, Beaumaris North Primary, Cheltenham Primary & Mentone Primary), which feed into only one school in the public sector - Mentone Girls Secondary College. So what about the boys? Or parents seeking co-education? There is no zone to accommodate them!

"Are our sons being discriminated against because of where they live?" asks local parent.

While the local community have gathered sufficient evidence to supports the viability of the Beaumaris Campus becoming a stand alone High School the current government is still stalling, saying there is "insufficient evidence" and employed Cube for further surveys (who didn't even have the zone right). Is this where our taxpaying dollars are going? Further delay for an answer on what will become of the Beaumaris Campus continues to infuriated local residents.

Many parents are still pushing for a Beaumaris Boys Secondary College that can work together with neighboring MGSC for resources & co-educational subjects. While others are suggesting a specialised school that compliments the Sandringham Campus, with Sport, Science & Business proposed suggestions.

Ironically, the zone for Cheltenham Secondary College (next closest public high school) leaves out at least half of it's Cheltenham residents by splitting the zone at Nepean Hwy, and totally excludes residents from Black Rock, Beaumaris & Mentone altogether.

The Beaumaris Campus currently is an essential venue for many sporting clubs in the area. The whole community has a vested interest in the campus, including many recreational & environmental clubs who also use this resource. But clubs are nervous about their viability, as memberships rely heavily on use of the grounds & facilities.

It would appear that Government have stereotyped the area, with no public school alternatives for families unable to afford the ever increasing price of private education. "Education is the right of every child in Australia, and families should not be forced to pay for education" commented an outraged parent at the meeting.

The financial stress placed on local families is taking its toll. Feedback suggests that families need to consider moving or increasing work commitments to survive. As if it wasn't hard enough.

Beaumaris and the surrounding catchment have provided enough information / feedback to show that the community support Beaumaris Campus becoming a separate school from Sandringham. So the only thing holding back enrollments is a much needed upgrade of facilities. But local government continues to stall for "more information". The boys of this community can wait no longer, it's dragged on long enough, and their education is at risk. Where is their right to a good education?

So what more do we need to prove?

Community Growth - look around, property size has halved in the last 10-15 years, with so much development that our kinders are turning back applicants. The families keep coming to this idealic beachside community, but with 5 great public primary schools and only 1 "girls only" public high school, where is the balance?

Join the conversation and give your feedback to help us bring our case forward to the the minister. www.facebook.com/BeauCampusSchoolFuture