Upgrades for St Mary MacKillop school

Member for Geelong Christine Couzens toured works at St Mary MacKillop Catholic Primary School with principal Anthony Drill, and said families in the growing area deserve world-class education close to home. Photos: Supplied.

STUDENTS at St Mary MacKillop Catholic Primary School Bannockburn could have access to a new visual arts building and four general learning spaces as soon as the second half of 2026.

The brand-new facilities and upgrades are supported by $2.4 million in funding from the State Government’s Building Fund for Non-Government Schools.

More than 80 low-fee Catholic schools across Victoria have been able to upgrade classrooms and build new facilities with cash from the fund.

Member for Geelong Christine Couzens met with St Mary MacKillop Catholic Primary School staff and site workers last week.

Member for Geelong Christine Couzens visited the school last week to tour works on the expansion with principal Anthony Drill.

“As the Bannockburn community grows, Labor is making sure St Mary MacKillop Catholic Primary School has the modern learning and arts facilities that local families deserve,” said Ms Couzens.

St Mary MacKillop Catholic Primary School principal Anthony Drill and Member for Geelong Christine Couzens welcomed news of the school’s expansion with students Ava, Lucy, and Finn in late-2024. Photo: File.

Bannockburn is one of the fastest-growing areas in south-west Victoria.

In late-2017, St Mary MacKillop Catholic Primary School moved onto the pre-existing Bannockburn Primary School site.

Since then, the school has been given a makeover including new toilet blocks and an award-winning play area.

The State Government backed the school’s transition with $3,510,000 as part of the 2019–20 Non-Government Schools Capital Fund, and $1,000,000 from the Non-Government Schools Grants Program.