By Mitchell Clarke
Students at Chairo Christian School in Pakenham will reap the rewards of a $2.3 million project which has seen stage one of the senior school centre officially opened.
La Trobe MP Jason Wood visited the school on Monday 28 October to check out the new purpose-built facilities which the Federal Government contributed $900,000 towards.
The new building is made up of large and flexible classrooms and features a spacious common room and kitchen for students to use.
In addition, multiple offices for careers advisors, learning support staff and year level co-ordinators have also been opened.
Mr Wood said students would benefit from the new senior centre which will assist in enabling students to realise their learning potential.
“Chairo Christian School has a wonderful school community, and this new centre will further enhance the learning environment,” he said.
“We are ensuring that every child gets a quality education no matter where they go to school.
“We are delivering real, needs-based funding that is matched by national reforms that will drive better results and outcomes.”
Principal Pete Wells said the Chairo community was appreciative of the support from Mr Wood, stating the politician had become renowned within the school for his enthusiasm towards a game of table tennis.
“We are very thankful for the government’s financial support, which has made it possible for our senior school students to have access to these wonderful new facilities in their very own section of the campus,” Mr Wells said.
The special event was attended by various members of both the school and wider community with past-Pakenham principal Steve McAllister joining his family on the day.
During proceedings, the school’s design and technology centre, which opened in 2016, was officially named the ‘McAllister Design & Technology Centre’ after the founding principal.
Planning for the next stage of the senior school centre is currently underway.
