St Ignatius celebrates new senior student learning centre

THE competition of a newly opened learning centre at one of the Bellarine’s Catholic schools is expected to greatly improve studies for local students.

St Ignatius College in Drysdale has celebrated the opening of its $24 million MacKillop Centre, which will serve the school’s senior students after receiving financial support from the state government and Catholic Development Fund.

Bellarine MP Alison Marchant attended the official blessing and opening of the centre, which featured in the Victorian Government’s 2019-23 Non-Government Schools Capital Fund.

Ms Marchant emphasised elite-level facilities must be available to all schools.

“The Victorian government is making sure that all Victorian schools have the best facilities. We can’t be the Education State without improving schools across all sectors,” Ms Marchant said.

“Non-government schools are an important part of Bellarine, providing local families with choice when it comes to educating their children.

“Local families can now enjoy world class learning facilities at Saint Ignatius College.”

The facility is providing the school with general learning areas, a dedicated maker space, and a 400-seat lecture theatre.

St Ignatius College joins a long line of schools since 2015 to receive Victorian Government investment to build, expand and renovate Catholic and independent schools across the state.

As part of the opening of the facility, students welcomed Archbishop Peter Comensoli who officially blessed the new building, before partaking in a light lunch.

The 2023-24 Victorian budget committed a further $450 million to build and upgrade low-fee Catholic and independent schools across the state and has surpassed $1 billion since the fund’s inception.

The Victorian government is also aiming to open 100 new schools by 2026.