$5M SCHOOL BOOST
Federal Government’s Catholic cash splash for Iona College
THE Federal Government has tipped in $5 million to help the construction of a new private Catholic school in Armstrong Creek.
Corangamite federal Liberal MP Sarah Henderson yesterday announced Iona College Geelong in Charlemont would receive the funding boost through the Governments Capital Grants Program for non-government schools.
The Catholic private school will use the grant to fund its construction, which is set to begin in September and be completed in time to open the school in 2020.
“These funds will ensure future students at Iona College have the infrastructure necessary to help them get the most out of their time at school,” Ms Henderson said.
The Archbishop of Melbourne and Catholic Education Melbourne executive director Stephen Elder visited the site of the future $60 million coeducation secondary College in May.
Mr Elder said the school would help deal with a surge in demand for Catholic education in Geelong, with the opening this year of two new Catholic primary schools in Bannockburn and Torquay and existing Catholic secondary colleges reaching capacity.
“With Geelong’s Catholic colleges at or near capacity and our primary schools growing, Iona College will ensure we can cater to the families of Geelong and the Surf Coast who want a Catholic education,” Mr Elder said.
“The fact there is such high demand for Catholic education is testament to Geelong’s Catholic schools and teachers who are providing an affordable, high quality education that shapes happy, resilient, students who are filled with a love of learning and life. It’s a credit to them.”