IT’S classtime as usual for Warrnambool’s alternative education WAVE school despite being warned earlier in the year it could be shut down because the building was unfit for use.
Three politicians have taken the issue on board and a local Rotary club is organising to fix windows and stairs at the Henna Street venue which had previous lives as a quarry and YMCA centre.
More than two months after revelation of three audits which found the 51-year-old building below education department standards, a time limit is yet to be announced for the necessary repairs.
“We are hopeful of government support,” said Mary Pendergast, principal of Warrnambool College which operates the school.
“There has been a lot of moral support from the community.
“We aim to hold a public meeting after we know the outcome of our requests to the politicians.”
A presentation was made to Education Minister Martin Dixon, South West Coast MP and multi-portfolio minister Denis Napthine mentioned the plight in a cabinet meeting and federal Wannon MP Dan Tehan visited to meet students.
Warrnambool City Council will assist with an engineer to compile a list of repair jobs.
The school offers a supporting education environment for students aged 15-19 to complete a Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) qualification.
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