7 June 2022
The Andrews Labor Government is helping Victorian kids enjoy the best camps, sporting programs and cultural experiences Victoria has to offer, re-engaging them in the extracurricular activities they loved before the pandemic.
Member for Narre Warren South Gary Maas MP, today announced that over 50,000 students across Victoria including from Berwick Chase Primary School have attended free arts, sporting and cultural programs and experiences thanks to the Positive Start in 2022 initiative.
The State Government’s $12.4 million program will provide more than 325,000 fully subsidised places for students across the various programs – boosting kids’ motivation and helping them rebuild their connections with friends, teachers and communities.
Victorians did an incredible job of looking after each other during the pandemic, staying home to slow the spread of coronavirus. But that also meant schools had to cancel sports, camps and all of the other extra activities kids love.
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.
Quotes attributable to Member for Narre Warren South Gary Maas MP:
“Many students made sacrifices during the pandemic and it’s fantastic to see them back at school experiencing on-site learning. The Positive Start in 2022 program is another initiative to support our students’ return to school and their health and wellbeing.”
“There are more schools in Narre Warren South that qualify for the Positive Start in 2022 program and I encourage them to take advantage of this initiative.”
“We are all still facing some challenges from the pandemic including our schools but thanks to our high vaccination rates our community and students are getting back to the activities and experiences that they enjoy.”