Some Relief for Independent School Parents

The Association of Independent Schools of Victoria, 4 August 2009

Parents with children at non-government schools in Victoria will welcome additional government funding for capital works, says the Association of Independent Schools of Victoria (AISV).

AISV Chief Executive, Ms Michelle Green, said that the 13 schools would receive amounts ranging from $136,000 to $350,000.

Education Minister Bronwyn Pike announced on 4 August 2009 that 13 independent schools will share $3.6 million in capital grants to improve outdated education facilities.

‘Although the amounts are modest, they will help relieve the strain on parents who are always called on to fund their school’s capital works.’ Ms Green said.

‘This is now all the more important because country families are feeling the strain of the current economic downturn, on top of the continuing challenges faced by farmers, including the drought.’

‘All schools, particularly schools in need, require more funding. We welcome the government’s recognition of the work that independent schools in regional Victoria and outer suburban Melbourne are doing to meet the requirements of their local communities.’

The extra funds will enable schools to improve structural works for classes, playground and sporting facilities.

Ms Green said that parents sending their children to independent schools are saving taxpayers large amounts in education spending by making their own significant contribution to meeting the cost of education in Victoria. Non-government schools in Victoria receive less funding from the state government than in any other state or territory − for every $1 given to an independent school student, $8 goes to each government school student.

Independent schools that received the capital works funding are:

• Andale School, Kew – $254,000 towards the construction of a specialist therapy room and an office and attic storeroom
• Balcombe Grammar School, Mount Martha – $350,000 towards the construction of building for a library, computer laboratory, administration area, music department and hall
• Ballarat Christian College, Ballarat – $350,000 towards the construction of a Year 7 and 8 centre to create four general learning areas, staff work room and store room
• Candelbark, Romsey – $350,000 towards the refurbishment of classrooms, library, science laboratory and teaching areas
• Cathedral College, Wangaratta – $147,145 towards the construction of boundary fences, internal paved pedestrian areas and shade facilities
• Chairo Christian School, Pakenham Campus – $57,220 towards the construction of two general learning areas and a specialist Home Economics area, and associated facilities
• Cockatoo Montessori School, Cockatoo – $350,000 towards the construction of one general learning area
• Covenant College, Bell Post Hill (Geelong) – $245,000 towards the provision of covered walkways, a middle school play area and technology storage
• Heatherton Christian College, Heatherton – $350,000 towards the construction of a library and resource facility
• Hillcrest Christian College, Clyde North – $350,000 towards relocation of the existing library and refurbishment work to provide new Arts/IT classrooms
• Maranatha Christian School, Endeavour Hills – $350,000 towards the construction of a library (stage 1), two general learning areas and student amenities
• St Thomas Aquinas College, Tynong – $136,432 towards the construction of an administration building, including reception area, sick bay and staff and public amenities
• Victory Lutheran College, Wodonga – $350,000 towards the construction of Science classroom and two general learning areas, with associated facilities.

 

 

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