By Deanne Jeffers
STUDENTS at Shepparton ACE Secondary College want the Greater Shepparton City Council to know that they will not be treated like they are invisible, as the campaign against proposed social housing continues.
270 cut-outs of cardboard people were decorated to represent how much of the school community stand to be impacted by the proposal to build a four-storey building around the school.
“We were on holidays when the news of the social housing proposal came out. I think every person here felt shocked thinking of what this could mean for our school,” Year 12 student, Immi Langley explained.
“Our privacy is being massively affected. I would feel unsafe and uncomfortable knowing strangers could see into our classrooms and into playgrounds with young students, and with people being around the school at all times.”
“I love coming to school at Shepparton ACE College. We are such a tight knit group, even with new people like year seven students who have started this week. We all work together to make this a great community.”
If the proposed social housing earmarked for the Nixon and Maude Street carparks goes ahead, students want Shepparton to know their educational experience will be affected.
Teacher, Frank Adams said the school has made huge progress in recently, having only moved to Maude Street last year.
The art installation, ‘We are not Invisible,’ is on display in front of the college.
Community consultation has been extended until February 28. Submissions can be emailed to council@shepparton.vic.gov.au, submit online at shaping.greatershepparton.com.au/ or in writing to Greater Shepparton City Council, Locked Bag 1000, Shepparton, VIC, 3632.