State Member for Baulkham Hills – Hon David Elliott MP

Excelsior Public School is set to receive 14 new permanent classrooms, a new library and open play area as part of a multimillion dollar upgrade from the NSW Government.

The upgrade will include a new three-storey classroom block and the refurbishment of existing facilities, which will increase the school’s capacity from 500 students to around 650 students.

The project is part of the NSW Government’s unprecedented $4.2 billion program of new schools and significant school upgrades over the next four years. Over the next two years alone, work will start on new schools and upgrade projects worth more than $2.2 billion.

The upgrade at Excelsior Public School will help meet increasing student enrolment numbers in the local area.

It’s vital our local communities have the school facilities they need to provide the best education possible for our students.

I’m pleased the NSW Government is investing in local schools in our area and delivering this important project.

Planning is also underway for the new 1,000 student primary school at Bella Vista, and new permanent teaching spaces and core facilities at North Rocks Public School.

While on the topic of education, I am inviting history teachers from across NSW to walk the battlefields and trenches of the Western Front as part of the 2018 Premier’s ANZAC Memorial Scholarship tour.

All teachers across the state can apply to participate in the 2018 tour. Successful applicants will join 20 students, other teachers and a tour historian on the educational and commemorative trip retracing the footsteps of the ANZACs for the centenary of the Battle of Hamel.

The 13-day tour will give students the opportunity to experience Australia’s military story first-hand in Ypres, Passchendaele, the Somme and Flanders in Belgium.

The group will also participate in commemorations at cemeteries and memorials, as well as visiting battlefields, museums and other sites relevant to the ANZAC tradition.

Accompanying teachers will provide supervision for the students during the tour, support their learning experience and enrich their own teaching practices on return so classrooms across NSW can reap the benefits of the tour.

Most travel and accommodation costs associated with the tour will be covered by Veterans Affairs. Teachers will continue to receive their usual salary while accompanying the student group.

Applications close on 23 October 2017. To apply, visit https:// www.veterans.nsw.gov.au/education/premiers-anzac-memorialscholarship/2018-premiers-anzac-memorial-scholarship-eligibilitycriteria/ or phone 8061 9288 / 1300 838 233.