Thursday, 1 August 2024
The Allan Labor Government is ensuring that every Victorian student can learn in the best facilities – with dozens of local, low-fee Catholic schools to receive funding to upgrade classrooms and build new facilities, including in Williamstown.
Member for Williamstown, Melissa Horne, announced St Mary’s Primary School in Altona, and St Margaret Mary’s Primary School in Spotswood are two of 67 projects at 65 Catholic schools across Victoria which will share in more than $243 million to expand and modernise existing facilities or build new schools.
Stage 1A of St Mary’s Altona’s Master Plan will be completed thanks to $2.4 million from the Allan Labor Government to rebuild six learning areas of the school, including collaboration and outdoor learning spaces. These upgrades will ensure students can move freely and safely between classrooms and shared spaces as well as have opportunities to work outdoors.
St Margaret Mary’s received $3.6 million to construct new learning areas, student amenities, and breakout spaces as well as the refurbishment of school entry, staff workspaces, and meeting rooms. These projects will facilitate student capacity through the addition of three learning areas with greater connectivity between them.
These projects are being delivered through the Catholic stream of the Labor Government’s Building Fund for Non-Government Schools – which helps schools upgrade and expand their facilities, ensuring families have the best learning environments for their children.
Non-government schools are an important part of Victoria’s education system, with more than one-third of Victorian students studying at Catholic or independent schools.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Education Ben Carroll
“Thousands of Victorian kids go to a low-fee Catholic school every day – and we’re making sure those kids are learning in the best environments.”
“We’re supporting our low-fee Catholic schools to expand, build new classrooms and open new campuses.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Williamstown Melissa Horne
“These works will ensure that all students in Williamstown have the opportunity to learn in modern, safe and accessible classrooms and learning spaces.”
Ends.
Media contact: melissa.horne@parliament.vic.gov.au
