Premier and Minister for Education and Skills, David Bartlett, today paid tribute to the work of school communities across the State in ensuring the Rudd Stimulus package and the School Futures fund secured the optimum in learning facilities for our students.

Officially accepting signed agreements from 12 School Association chairs indicating their school's 'signing on' to the Glenorchy Project, Mr Bartlett said that it was a very important day for the future of education in the Glenorchy area, and right across Tasmania.

'The $48.7 million Glenorchy schools project is now underway, with the project steering committee members meeting later this week,' Mr Bartlett said.

'Work will include two new schools worth between $20 to $24 million and multi-million-dollar redevelopment of several other schools in the Glenorchy region (see attachment).

'School Associations in Burnie have also unanimously agreed to ask me to approve the amalgamation of Acton, Upper Burnie and Brooklyn primary schools to enable the construction of one new primary school on the grounds of Parklands High School.

'Montello Primary will be upgraded to cater for additional students.

'Other school communities undertaking opportunities under the School Futures Fund and Building the Education Revolution initiatives include Bridgewater Primary and Green Point Primary (the new East Derwent Primary School), Branxholm Primary and Winnaleah District High School, Somerset Primary and West Somerset Primary, Waverley Primary and St Leonards Primary and Fingal Primary and St Marys District High School.'

Mr Bartlett was impressed with the way these school communities have really engaged with the process. 

'They have a real depth of understanding of the complexity of the issues and a determination to provide the best possible education for their children,' Mr Bartlett said.

'The Glenorchy Project is about every child in Glenorchy having a better start and access to better schools that offer better curriculum choices.

'This Memorandum of Understanding formalises each school's commitment to amalgamate to both myself and the wider community.'

Mr Bartlett also announced the key members of the community and school members who will lead this significant education project.

'These members have a wide range of backgrounds and experiences, and I have full confidence that they will provide the leadership and commitment to deliver the best possible outcomes for the students, staff and wider school communities in the Glenorchy region,' he said.

'The education reference group will meet on Friday to start transition planning, with the first project steering committee meeting to be held on 9 April.'

Northern suburb schools agreed to formalise proposed mergers following a number of community meetings in early March.

Parents, staff and the community were briefed on funding packages, additional funding options available to schools and an outline of predicted demographic changes in the northern suburbs.

'In particular, I'd like to congratulate both principals and school association chairs on their magnificent leadership and commitment to education in their areas,' Mr Bartlett said.

'Like many other school communities across the state, Glenorchy school communities have handled this important decision magnificently.'

Steering Group Members:

Brendan Kelly ? Chair (General Manager, Learning Services ? South)

Kate Stephenson (Chair, School Improvement Board ?South)

Graham Speight (Rosetta High Principal)

Jenny Leppard ? (Mt Faulkner Primary Principal)

Shaun Pearce ? (Springfield Gardens Primary Principal)

Two School Association Chairs

Cath Parker - Facilities Project Officer

Jan Batchelor ? Department of Education

Community Reference Group Members:

All School Association chairs, two representatives also being on the Steering Group

Education Reference Group Members:

All principals, two representatives also being on the Steering Group