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The Victorian Government has recognised the disruption that COVID restrictions caused for primary and secondary school students, and has announced a $112.9 million ‘Positive Start in 2022’ initiative, which will deliver outdoor camps, sporting programs, cultural experiences and swimming and water safety lessons to re-engage them in the extracurricular activities they enjoyed before the pandemic.

‘Positive Start in 2022’ will help get students back out and about around the state and support their physical and emotional health and wellbeing.

An investment of $84.3 million will deliver additional camps to benefit 81,200 students during school holidays and 2022 school terms – making sure students don’t miss out on vital outdoor education and socialising.

The program will focus on students from government and low-fee non-government schools who have been most affected by COVID-19 school closures – as well as students and schools that might otherwise be unable to participate in an outdoor education or camp program.

A further $12.4 million will provide access to a broad range of arts, sporting and cultural experiences for students at every government and low-fee non-government school in Victoria.

From Sovereign Hill to the NGV, Melbourne Zoo and sporting workshops with the AFL, the program will provide more than 325,000 fully subsidised places for students across the various programs – boosting children’s’ motivation and helping them rebuild their connections with friends, teachers and communities.

An investment of $16.3 million will deliver more than 690,000 swimming and water safety lessons for students at government and Catholic primary schools – making sure students aren’t left behind without the vital skills they need to stay safe around water.

This funding will supplement the $55.2 million in support the State Government has already provided for school swimming from 2022-24, providing extra lessons to make sure students can catch up on the practical skills they may have missed during the pandemic.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews notes “Victorian students and school communities did an amazing job helping our state slow the spread of coronavirus – and now we’re giving back, making sure 2022 is full of adventure and fun for every child across the state.”

Victorian Minister for Education James Merlino added “we know the pandemic has been challenging for many kids, missing out on the things that make our Education State so great – and this program makes up for lost time with exciting experiences for everyone.”

Image: Cave Hill Creek Summer camp courtesy Visit Victoria

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