School upgrade gets the all-Clear

THREE cheers filled the air at Cape Clear Primary School on Monday as staff and students heard they would receive funding to upgrade teaching and learning facilities.

The school has been allocated $828,000 from the State Government to modernise their rural campus, currently educating 24 children.

Principal Lachlan Day said his team is “super grateful” to the State for “looking after country kids” by investing in rural education.

“We’re looking to upgrade the areas in the school that require it, like our four relocatable classrooms, to bring it up to the standard of expectations we have around teaching and learning,” he said.

“This budget money is being targeted towards permanent facilities in small rural schools, so we will be working with VSBA and architects to develop our vision for what’s vital for the school.

“We also want to go through a whole consultation process with our school community around what they believe are our strengths, what they envisage our school to be in 10 years’ time, and how we might get there.”

Mr Day said the children, staff and parents are “very proud of our school” and their pride is set to swell.

“We’re a fantastic little community. Improving our grounds and putting money into the facilities will be a drawcard for families and students in the district to enrol in Cape Clear.

“We’re looking forward to our facilities matching the teaching and learning taking place here, and are hoping to continue to increase our enrolments,” he said.

Twelve-year-old James is in grade 6. He was happy to know that his peers in lower class groups would get to enjoy an even better school, and he had an idea to suggest to the architects.

“I’d like to see a cooking space, because that means children get to make food, even before they are teenagers,” he said.

“We already have a garden, so we could use that to make food in the cooking space.”

Member for Buninyong, Michaela Settle said every child deserves to attend a school with “the best facilities in the world.”

“The Victorian Government understands the importance of regional and rural schools, and that every school kid counts in these communities,” she said.

“Schools are the heart of our communities, so it makes sense that we’re investing in upgrades to support education and create local jobs.”

Cape Clear Primary School received $194,968 for an inclusive, sensory play space last year.

“The new sensory garden will create a space for teaching and help all students, regardless of disabilities…participate, learn, develop and succeed at Cape Clear,” Ms Settle said.