Meet and greet: Victorian Education Minister Natalie Hutchins (far right), with Grade 5 students from Rochester Primary School and principal Kate Whitford (back row, left). Photo: Bransen Gibson
Victorian Minister for Education Natalie Hutchins met with students and staff from Rochester and Elmore Primary Schools when she visited Elmore on Tuesday, December 13.
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Ms Hutchins was at Elmore Primary School – where Rochester students have also been based in recent weeks following the flooding – and got a first-hand look at the temporary set-up.
The minister got a tour of the portables that have housed the Rochester students, visiting classrooms and chatting with students, teachers and school staff.
It was the first time Ms Hutchins has been to Elmore, and she said it was an essential trip to make.
“It is more than anything a check in on the ground,” Ms Hutchins said.
“Because I could read stacks of briefs as tall as me and not get the sense for how things are going in location, so being here is really important.
“The relocation to here has been very smooth and quite fantastic.”
With Christmas just around the corner Ms Hutchins got to see prep students hard at work making Christmas cards, and she later spoke with Grade 5 students as well.
The minister also came bearing gifts, bringing with her a large jar of lollies for students.
Kate Whitford is the principal at Rochester Primary, and she said the visit from the minister shows the school has not been forgotten.
“It means that we are still a focus for them, that they are looking at what is going to happen for Rochester as we look forward, and not just fixing it up and leaving,” Ms Whitford said.
“They are actually interested in what is happening and where we are at.”
Rochester students had their final day of school last Friday, and when they return to the classrooms in 2023, they will also be returning to Rochester.
Work to repair the flood-affected classrooms is under way. And while that work will not be finished in time for the first day of term one, classes will still be held at Rochester’s normal school grounds.
“Over summer, these portables will be relocated back to Rochester. The kids will be settling back into their familiar classrooms,” Ms Hutchins said.
“There is more than $2 million being spent on the build and refurbishment of Rochester Primary and Secondary.”
Special meeting: Rochester Primary School principal Kate Whitford, Victorian Education Minister Natalie Hutchins and Rochester school council president Casey James. Photo: Bransen Gibson
Photo by
Bransen Gibson
Returning home would be a huge moment for the students and staff, Ms Hutchins said.
“It will be really important. Familiarity is an amazing stability factor for kids,” she said.
“Step one is going back into the portables and then step two will be going into the school rooms once they are complete.
“Unfortunately, with flood-affected buildings, it takes some time to unveil what the damage is and what needs to be replaced, and we will be taking the time to do that over summer, and I know that work has already begun now.”
During her visit, the minister also sat down with Ms Whitford and school council president Casey James, who had the opportunity to share their views on what the school needs.
Ms Whitford said mental health support for kids and families would be essential for students and staff moving forward – something she expressed to the minister.
“At the moment, the kids are shifting around,” she said.
“We have been to Bendigo, that was exciting. Now we are here (Elmore), and it is exciting. We will have holidays and Christmas and then we will get back and that will be exciting, and then six weeks in, it will be flat.
“Lots of families will have done six months in a caravan and be no closer to being back in their house, so the toll will be huge.”
Ms Hutchins also met with Grade 5 students, giving them the opportunity to ask questions and make suggestions on what they need – with one student asking for a visit from Premier Daniel Andrews.
The minister and students then recorded a video message that Ms Hutchins said she would show Mr Andrews, asking him to come to town.
Afterwards, Ms Hutchins said she would return to Rochester in the new year, hopefully with the premier alongside her.
“I have no doubt he (Mr Andrews) will be back to Rochester,” she said.
“I am sure in the new year we will see the premier doing a visit to these areas.”
Ms Hutchins thanked and praised the staff and students at both schools for all their efforts during what has been an incredibly challenging time.
“I want to give a huge thanks to the staff, both here at Elmore Primary and at Rochester Primary for the work they have been doing,” she said.
“It has not been easy on them. Some of them are juggling their personal circumstances with their work circumstances and they are absolute heroes.”
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