Schools to go up a grade

By Kelly Yates
CRANBOURNE Secondary College will receive more than $12,600 as part of a state-wide maintenance fund to put towards upgrading the classrooms and adding water tanks.
The school is among many local Government schools, including Cranbourne Park Primary School, Cranbourne West Primary School, Marnebek School and Rangebank Primary School, to get the extra $20 million state-wide maintenance funding package.
MP Jude Perera said the funding would allow schools to carry out important repairs and upgrades including improvements to toilet blocks, roofing and electrical and heating systems.
“This funding will enable schools to address high priority maintenance tasks that are important in providing students with safe and comfortable learning environments,” Mr Perera said.
“The Brumby Government is acting now to meet the challenges of the future and make Victoria the best place to live, learn, work and raise a family.”
Cranbourne Secondary College’s acting principal Neil Williams said the school went through an audit process in order to be considered for the grant.
“The additional $12,600 will support our annual maintenance bill. This grant is a very good thing as it helps us develop the new areas within the school and also maintain the older areas,” Mr Williams said.
Education Minister Bronwyn Pike said that across Victoria more than $7.3 million would be allocated for roofing works, almost $5 million would be allocated for toilet upgrades and 13 schools would share in $2.4 million for electrical upgrades, heaters, fire services and fencing.
The remaining $5.3 million will be distributed to other Victorian schools.
“We are committed to making schools the kinds of places that will encourage the best teaching and learning and these projects will assist in making a difference to these school communities,” Ms Pike said.
The funding is in addition to the $41 million already allocated for maintenance this year.
“We are committed to ensuring education continues to be our number one priority.”