St Augustine’s

A RECENTLY completed $3.3 million capital works upgrade at St Augustine’s Primary School Creswick is helping it accommodate to increasing student enrolments.

Funded through the federal capital grants program, the works have transformed the school’s 170-year-old building with refurbished light-filled learning areas and a dedicated multi-use centre, new administration area and staff lounge.

The works also reorientated the old school building so the front entrance now faces Church Street in keeping with the original intention when the school was built back in 1855, and a vintage fireplace uncovered during the works has been retained.

“There’s all new buildings, all new classrooms. There’s a sense of pride. It’s awesome,” said principal Michael Heenan during last week’s formal launch which was attended by Federal Ballarat MP Catherine King.

He said the school had successfully lodged an application for the federal funding to enable the upgrade back in mid-2024.

After tenders were called, building work began last February and was completed in November with careful management meaning no learning days were lost during construction, and the finishing landscaping touches were completed just weeks ago.

Heenan said enrolments at St Augustine’s have risen from 116 three years ago to 146 now, and are set to rise further to 151 next year and 160 in 2028.

“We’re seeing people moving in and the school is funded on our numbers so it enables us to put on more auxiliary staff,” he said.

“We’ve already been able to put on a part-time psychologist and a dedicated science teacher.

“It enables us to bring more people in and grow our teacher numbers.”