Sacred Heart Primary School Principal Arn Gorman said the school had received the crucial funding which will help to accommodate the growing population with building to begin in mid-2022.
“We applied for the Capital Grants Program as it provides Catholic and independent schools with appropriate funding to help them improve school infrastructure through capital expenditure,” Ms Gorman said.
“We got official word around three weeks ago that we were successful for a $2 million grant which will be an important piece of the puzzle for our school masterplan.
“There will be an extension of classrooms, a purpose-built STEM Centre and a Performing Arts Centre.
“There were grants for $4 million which with our own contribution, would have seen us completely finish our masterplan in terms of our learning spaces but this Federal government funding will complement the masterplan as the school has grown a lot quicker than was planned.
“It also helps to meet the needs of a bigger learning space that will cater for 150 more students (20 in each year level) which gives us room to meet the growth of Yarrawonga and students enrolling in Catholic education.
“Making all learning spaces four stream to cater for the increased enrolments and keep our class sizes down is important.
“Currently most grades are three streamed meaning the learning areas are at capacity with our current year two at full stream and in crucial need of a larger learning space.
“With the extension of classrooms some of our portable classrooms will also be moved whilst others are demolished.
“We will also contribute to the funding, and we will do what we plan to do next year and look for other avenues to get the rest of our masterplan completed which would include a total reconfiguration of the administration area also.
“It is really exciting for Sacred Heart Primary and Catholic education in Yarrawonga to accommodate for the population and we could not be happier.”
Federal Member for Nicholls Damian Drum said the Liberal-Nationals Government would provide $2 million towards the $2.8 million project, which will commence next year and further enhance the school’s learning environment.
“Students and staff will benefit from this project, which includes the removal of existing portable classrooms and the construction of a new learning centre, comprising five general learning areas, a STEM space, and music centre,” Mr Drum said.
“Students and teachers thrive when their school has modern facilities – that’s why the Federal Government is proud of the Capital Grants Program, which has helped thousands of schools across the country to build new infrastructure, as well as refurbish existing facilities.
“This government is ensuring that every child gets a high-quality education no matter where they go to school, and that is why we are providing a record $315 billion for all Australian schools between 2018 and 2029.
“We are delivering real, needs-based funding that is matched by national reforms that will drive better results and outcomes, as recommended by David Gonski in the Review to Achieve Educational Excellence in Australian Schools.
“I congratulate Sacred Heart Primary School on their successful grant application and look forward to seeing the positive impact these new facilities will have on the school community.”
More information about the Capital Grants Program can be found on the Department of Education, Skills and Employment’s website.
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