School funding boost
Wimmera
school leaders are rejoicing at a major State Budget money injection, which will benefit student learning outcomes for years to come.
Horsham Special School and Hopetoun P-12 College were among eight schools across the region to share in tens of millions of dollars towards school upgrades when the 2020-21 budget was revealed last week.
Special school acting principal Megan Woolford said the school would look to use more than $8-million to upgrade classrooms and introduce wraparound support services for ‘vulnerable’ students.
She said the money would allow the school to build new classrooms and explore introducing more therapeutic services and spaces for students in need.
“We’re talking about some students who are the most vulnerable in our community in terms of their unique needs,” she said.
“This funding will mean that we will be able to better target those complex needs and have more on-site therapeutic options available in the one place.
“It’s a fundamental human right to have a high-quality education. Every student deserves that, no matter where they live or what their needs are.”
Meanwhile, Hopetoun school leaders hope a $9.5-million boost will allow for a full rebuild of a school that has remained largely the same since the 1960s.
School leaders, Yarriambiack Shire Council and politicians in the region have been advocating for Hopetoun P-12 College to be upgraded for several years.
Principal Graeme Holmes said the college’s science and food technology classrooms had no capital works completed
since the buildings opened in 1964. He said while the old classrooms were the priority for upgrades, the money allocation would allow the school to completely rethink its options, with the possibility of a ‘total rebuild’.
“Originally we were looking at just upgrading the food and science rooms, now we can totally rethink the entire school and layout,” he said.
“If it’s enough, we’d be looking at a total rebuild rather than just an upgrade and modernisation. It’s proven that high-quality facilities positively impact on students’ learning. That’s one of the key factors we believe is really important.”
Mr Holmes said architectural planning was taking place and a building plan would be finalised by the end of next year.
Wimmera schools such as Stawell Secondary College and Rainbow P-12 College
will each receive more than $11-millon, while Warracknabeal Secondary College will use $19.8-million to complete a major education precinct project.
Commendation
Member for Lowan Emma Kealy commended the Warracknabeal community, including teachers, students and families, who campaigned the State Government for many years to receive a final round of funding for the school project.
“It is because of their unrelenting advocacy that the government finally listened and gave this project the funding it deserved,” Ms Kealy said.
“To everyone who gave their voice and time to the campaign for this project, thank you – your advocacy will make an immeasurable difference to students and teachers for many years to come.”