Minister for Education James Merlino and Member for Yan Yean Danielle Green today visited Mernda Central P-12 College and Mernda Park Primary to welcome staff and students as part of the official school openings.

The schools feature first class sporting facilities including competition-grade gyms, as well as performing arts theatres and cooking areas.

They also have multi-purpose spaces to be used by the YMCA after school hours to provide before and after school care as well as a range of community services and programs.

Mernda Park Primary also has an Integrated Early Learning Centre on site to facilitate transitions between early childhood learning and primary school.

Following the visit to Mernda, Mr Merlino joined Member for Thomastown Bronwyn Halfpenny in officially opening Harvest Home Primary School in Epping North.

Harvest Home also provides state-of-the-art facilities for community groups and features a new sports oval, outdoor amphitheatre and an expansive gym built to Netball Victoria standards.

The schools are among ten new schools opening this term as part of the Andrews Labor Government’s unprecedented investment in infrastructure to meet surging enrolments.

With an extra 90,000 students due to enter the school system over the next five years, the Labor Government is investing $1.8 billion to build and upgrade schools across Victoria.

There are now 42 new schools in the construction pipeline – including the 10 new government schools opening in 2017 – and more than 1,000 upgrades underway.

For two years the Labor Government has put people first, building the Education State so every community can access a great school and every student can be supported to be their best.