Coalition promise millions for Ballarat schools

SOME area schools, state and Catholic, are in line for significant capital works if the Coalition wins on 24 November.

Mt Rowan Secondary School would receive $3.5 million to complete and upgrade to the gym and music block Member for Ripon Louise Staley announced on Tuesday.

“This will mean the performing arts centre will be completed as well as a new synthetic court upgrade that can be enjoyed by both the school and the community,” she said.

Mt Rowan Secondary campus principal Seona Murnane said the money would be used to finish off capital works projects.

“This funding will top off and complete the school’s upgrade allowing us to finish off our performing arts area to the level that the kids deserve and need,” she said.

Students at the school also responded positivity to the pledge.

“We do a lot of school productions here and not having a big performing arts area has made it hard for rehearsals, so having a theatre will be much appreciated,” said Year 9 student Sophie Burrell.

The announcement was one of three education focused pitches by local Liberals over the last seven days.

Last week two Catholic schools, St Aloysius Parish School and St Francis Xavier Primary School, were also promised big money.

St Aloysius in Redan is up for $1.2 million for general upgrades.

“Ballarat is growing and we know we need to invest in our schools,” Liberal Candidate for Wendouree, Amy Johnson said. “Students at St Aloysius will greatly benefit from modern and contemporary facilities.”

Meanwhile in Ballarat East, St Francis Xavier Primary School could get $3.2 million to complete stage two ad three of that intuition’s master plan, resulting in the addition of nine new classrooms.

“St Francis Xavier is a wonderful school and this improvement in facilities will help students achieve great educational outcomes,” said Buninyong Liberal candidate Andrew Kilmartin.

The money for both Catholic school projects could come from a $400 million statewide pledge to boost funding for independent education.