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August 2, 2024
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Learning about the blue line
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Victoria Police are visiting Greater Geelong schools to educate students about the roles of emergency services. Victoria Police’s Public Order Response Team (PORT) went to Covenant College in Bell Post Hill on Monday to deliver important safety messages, discuss the role of police, and inform students on how to seek help. PORT police do everything that the normal general duties police do, but have higher capabilities and extra training, Acting Sergeant Matt Nauta said. PORT’s visits form part of Victoria Police’s School Engagement Model, which focuses on community engagement and building strong connections with young people and their families. Pictured are Senior Constable Liz Mitchley and Acting Sergeant Matt Nauta with Covenant College students Mila and Charlie on Monday July 29. ■ See page 7 for the full story.
2026 kindergarten boost Armstrong Creek will have a new kinder in less than two years, helping busy families ditch the double-drop-offs between primary schools and kinders. The state government announced eight new kinders on Friday, July 26, with one due to be open at Armstrong Creek’s Warralily Park Primary School (interim name) by Term 1, 2026. Premier Jacinta Allan said there was a growing demand in communities like Armstrong Creek for kinder services and that it was important to help families save time and money. “Early childhood education is such an important part of those foundational skills
that very little learners get that set them up beautifully for the rest of their lives,” she said. “It sets them up well for school and the rest of their life. It’s also ensuring that we can provide strong access to early childhood education that greatly supports parents. “Not only does this build on the benefits of an early childhood education, but this helps address that dreaded double drop-off that parents have to do each and every morning. “Every parent knows mornings can be chaotic. It’s why we’re making things that little bit easier, making drop-offs faster and simpler with more kinders on school sites right across the state.” Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney said the new kinder would help make Armstrong Creek an easier, safer and healthier
place for people to live. “We’re proud to be delivering more local kinder places for families in Armstrong Creek, ensuring more local kids get a great early education,” she said. “Armstrong Creek is the place to be because it has had the serious thinking, the serious planning and now the serious development to ensure that we are a suburb not just for now, but for the future. “This is one of the most significant growth corridors that we have in regional Victoria and I’m proud that we’ve been able to ensure that there are growing amenities to match the population growth.” Other locations to receive kinders by 2026 included Clyde, Cranbourne North, Reservoir, Kennington, Lysterfield, Gordon and South Morang.
Premier Jacinta Allan and Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney announced eight new kinders to be built across the state, including Armstrong Creek. (Jena Carr) 422126_01
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By Jena Carr