Call on the Victorian Government to fund the redevelopment of Northcote Primary School’s Grade 5/6 building

Northcote Primary School is a thriving, diverse public school serving families across Melbourne’s inner north. But while our community continues to grow, the Grade 5/6 students are being taught in an ageing building that no longer meets the standards expected of a modern public school.

The current Grade 5/6 building is outdated, difficult to supervise, noisy and inaccessible. Its design does not support safe, inclusive or contemporary learning, and it is particularly challenging for neurodiverse students who need calm, well designed environments to thrive.

At the same time, neighbouring public schools have received significant Victorian Government investment in new and upgraded facilities. Northcote Primary has not.

We are calling on the Victorian Government to commit $15–20 million at the next state election to redevelop Northcote Primary School’s Grade 5/6 building and ensure our students receive fair access to the quality learning spaces they deserve.

Why this matters now

Students are learning in an outdated building
The current layout includes disconnected spaces, blind corners and poor acoustics. These conditions make supervision difficult, increase noise and distraction, and are especially challenging for neurodiverse students who need calm, well designed environments to thrive.

The building is ageing and increasingly costly to maintain
Ongoing issues include fire system upgrades, ageing services, deteriorating materials and limited accessibility. Stair only access excludes students, families and staff with mobility needs and does not reflect the standards expected of a modern public school.

Valuable learning space is being lost
Although originally designed for seven classrooms, the building currently functions as only four usable learning spaces. On a tightly constrained inner-city site, this loss of capacity directly impacts students.

Northcote Primary has missed out
Since 2017, nearby public schools have received major state capital investment:

• Thornbury Primary School: $17.6M
• Northcote High School $16.7M
• Thornbury High School $14.9M
• Preston South Primary School $14.6M
• Westgarth Primary School: $12.97M
• Bell Primary School: $7.1M
• Northcote Primary School: $3.16M (minor & targeted works)

Northcote Primary has not received a comparable modernisation project during this period.

Approximate capital investment per student (based on 2024 enrolments)
When capital investment is considered on a per student basis, the gap is even clearer. Students at neighbouring schools have benefited from significantly higher levels of investment in their learning environments.

• Thornbury Primary School ≈ $52,380 per student
• Westgarth Primary School ≈ $23,960 per student
• Bell Primary School ≈ $15,730 per student
• Preston South Primary School ≈ $40,510 per student
• Northcote Primary School ≈ $10,400 per student

Students at nearby schools have benefited from significantly greater capital investment in their learning environments.

This is not about special treatment. It is about fairness.

What a redevelopment would deliver
A redeveloped Grade 5/6 building would provide:

• Modern classrooms designed for Years 5 and 6 students
• Flexible and collaborative learning spaces
• Quiet breakout spaces for focused learning
• Improved accessibility, including lift access
• Outdoor learning areas
• Better supervision, safety and student wellbeing

Our ask

We call on the Victorian Government and local election candidates to commit $15–20 million to redevelop Northcote Primary School’s Grade 5/6 building.

This investment would bring Northcote Primary into line with recent funding provided to neighbouring schools and ensure local students can learn, grow and succeed in safe, inclusive and contemporary spaces.

Public education should not depend on postcode.

IT’S NORTHCOTE PRIMARY’S TURN FOR FUNDING.

Please sign this petition and share it to show your support for our school community and for fair investment in public education.

UPDATE: please note, you do not need to donate via Change.org. Donations on Change.org do not support the petition or the school. Signing and sharing the petition is the most effective way to help!