Government check on school’s security
Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Justice Jason Clare today toured Melbourne’s Shalom Aleichem College to inspect security upgrades made at the school under the Federal Government’s Secure Schools program.
Michael Danby 3rd left front with school and government personnel
Mr Clare was joined by the Member for Melbourne Ports Michael Danby and Co-chair of the Australian Council of Jewish Schools Nachema Bendet.
Shalom Aleichem College has received $425,000 from the Federal Government to install perimeter fencing, gates, CCTV cameras and alarm and access control systems.
The Secure Schools Program is targeted at schools at risk of racial, religious or ethnically motivated violence, property crime or harassment.
Over the past four years $20 million has been allocated to 54 schools to install fences, CCTV, gates, alarms and better lighting.
“Parents have a right to expect their children will be safe at school,” Mr Clare said.
“That’s why the Federal Government is investing in this program.”
A further $15 million will be allocated over the next three financial years to make more schools safer.
Following the tour Mr Clare also held a roundtable discussion with representatives from Melbourne’s Jewish school community.
“Nothing is more important than the safety and security of our children,” Mr Clare said.
“I congratulate Michael Danby for helping to put this program together and the Melbourne Jewish School community for the excellent work they have done in implementing it.”
“Safety is the top priority for staff and parents across Melbourne’s Jewish schools and I congratulate Shalom Aleichem College for completing this project,” Mr Danby said.
“Since its inception the Federal Labor Government has provided approximately $12 million in funding to Jewish schools under the Secure Schools Program.”
Picture Caption: Front row from Left
Mr Michael Goldhirsch, President Yeshivah & Beth Rivkah Colleges
Mr Leonard Hain, Executive Director, ACJS
Mr Michael Danby MP, Member Melbourne Ports
Hon Jason Clare, Minister Home Affairs and Minister for Justice
Dr Sharon Goldfeld, President Sholem Aleichem College
Mrs Lisa Kennett, President, Mount Scopus College
Second Row from left
Mr Michael Zammit, Business Manager, The King David School
Mr David Fisher, Head of Administration, Leibler Yavneh College
Mr Basil Krawitz, Business Manger, Yesodei HaTorah College
Mrs Helen Greenberg, Principal, Sholem Aleichem College
Mrs Marcia Wolman, Business Manger, Bialik College
Mrs Nechama Bendet, Co-Chair ACJS
Third row
Prof Israel Herszberg, Principal, Adass Israel School
