Community open day celebrates new school hub for families

The northwest community has gathered for a day of fun and activities after the Debney Meadows Primary School in Flemington threw open its doors in celebration of a new community hub.

The September 16 event saw families and local community groups attend including the Kensington Neighbourhood House (KNH).

The day marked the launch of a new community hub to support the school community through wrap-around services – which will also ensure the diverse communities of the Flemington and North Melbourne public housing estates get the support they need.

In addition to its current programs, including playgroup, adult computer classes and after-school homework groups, the school recognised that emotional, family, health and wellbeing support were needed for every family to fully participate in education.

The fun-filled community day included classroom walkthroughs, dance performances, a sausage sizzle, stalls, soccer games, cultural food, play, and music.

Children also lined up to get their faces painted while parents sipped on East African coffee in the community room made by Ruth, a Flemington local.

Essendon MP Danny Pearson was also a special guest, with one bold Grade 4 student shaking his hand and asking, “What do I need to do to get your job?”.

A group of local organisations including the Moonee Valley City Council and the Paving the Way Forward team will contribute to the new community hub model.

In addition to KNH, the Edmund Rice Community Services, Farnham Street Neighbourhood Learning Centre and The Venny have all come together to support the school.

“The joy of reconnecting experienced by families and staff on the community open day was only the beginning of many exciting changes happening at Debney Meadows Primary School,” Freyja Dixon, the KNH’s education coordinator said. •

Caption: Essendon MP Danny Pearson and Debney Meadows Primary School principal Koreena Carlton congratulate the school’s community liaison officer Marwa Zakzouk for organising a community day event.

Photograph by Liam Cochrane.