Six new schools in communities that need them most have welcomed more than 4,000 Victorian students to their new school grounds.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Education Mr Ben Carroll welcomed students to Pakenham’s brand new Kuyim Primary School, named after the Bunurong word meaning kangaroo, where 525 students will attend from prep to grade six.
Kuyim Primary School is one of 81 new schools that has been built as part of the Victorian Government’s 100 new schools initiative – with 19 more on track to open next year, bringing the total to 100 new schools by 2026.
Ms Zania Cope has been appointed principal of Kuyim Primary School. Her education career spans over 33 years and includes several leadership and principal roles.
Kuyim Primary School joins five other new government schools which opened at the beginning of Term 1 in 2025, including Mirniyan Primary School, Turrun Primary School, Wulerrp Secondary College, Barayip Primary School and Wirrigirri Primary School.
Ms Nicole Walker has been appointed foundation principal of Mirniyan Primary School in Clyde North. She has 35 years’ experience in education and been principal of three government primary schools.
Ms Kristy Miller has been appointed foundation principal of Turrun Primary School, a second new primary school to open in Clyde North. She has over 15 years of education experience, including leadership roles.
Ms Nicole O’Brien has been appointed foundation principal of Barayip Primary School in Tarneit. She recently completed the Victorian Aspiring Principal Assessment and was awarded a scholarship from the Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership to complete the Masters in Instructional Leadership at Melbourne University.
Ms Bec Spink has been appointed foundation principal of Wirrigirri Primary School in Wollert. Her career spans over 16 years and includes several leadership roles. She was previously the principal of Spensley Street Primary School in Clifton Hill, Victoria.
A kindergarten at the new Boollam Boollam Child and Family Centre next to Kuyim Primary School will open in Term 2 this year.
Every Victorian primary school that has opened since 2021 has a kindergarten on-site or nearby, making drop-off and pick-up easier for families and helping children make a smoother transition into primary school when they start.
The 100 new schools are part of the state government’s $16.9 billion investment in school infrastructure over the past decade. In addition to new schools, more than 2,200 school upgrades have been delivered in the past 10 years, improving educational facilities and supporting more than 26,000 jobs in construction and associated industries.
More reading: Five new primary schools to open in Victoria in 2026
