Duffy Primary School was one of the beneficiaries of round 1 of the Schools Upgrade Fund in 2023. Photo: Duffy Primary School.
Seven public schools in the ACT will benefit from the second round of the Federal Government’s Schools Upgrade Fund to the tune of $2.5 million.
The schools will each receive a minimum of $250,000 funding to build or upgrade infrastructure, including installing new playground equipment and upgrading sporting facilities.
The government says the public schools with the greatest need have been prioritised, including those with high numbers of students from a language background other than English, First Nations students, and students with disability.
The schools are Cranleigh School at Holt, Isabella Plains Early Childhood School, Jervis Bay School, Lyneham Primary School, Malkara School at Garran, Richardson Primary School, and University of Canberra High School at Kaleen.
Applications for round 2 of the Schools Upgrade Fund were open to all public schools across Australia from 31 October 2023 to 29 February 2024. Schools were required to submit their projects to their relevant state or territory education departments which made recommendations to the Australian Government.
Under round 1 delivered in June 2023, 1337 schools around Australia received up to $25,000 each in funding for various infrastructure projects.
ACT school recipients in round 1 included Neville Bonner Primary School, Bonython Primary School, St Thomas More’s Primary School in Campbell, St Thomas Aquinas Primary School in Charnwood, Emmaus Christian School in Dickson, Duffy Primary School, Farrer Primary School, Isabella Plains Early Childhood School, St Thomas the Apostle Primary School in Kambah, Macquarie Primary School, Gold Creek School, St John Paul II College in Nicholls, Marist College Canberra in Pearce, St Bede’s Primary School in Red Hill, and St Anthony’s Parish School in Wanniassa.
Federal Education Minister Jason Clare said he wanted all students to have access to a quality education, including quality facilities to learn in and play on.
“From whole school upgrades to new outdoor equipment and playgrounds, this funding will deliver upgrades to public schools that need it the most,” he said.
“This is another important step in building a better and fairer education system.”
Federal Assistant Minister for Education Senator Anthony Chisholm said schools deserved great infrastructure and the latest equipment to help students achieve their best – no matter where they lived or what their background may be.
“To continue to be a smart and innovative nation, we need to ensure all Australians have the same opportunities and access to a supportive learning environment,” he said.
“This is a great outcome for ACT schools and I’m thrilled we can deliver this funding to complete important school infrastructure projects.”
ACT Minister for Education and Deputy Chief Minister Yvette Berry said the school infrastructure upgrades were an example of the ACT Government and Commonwealth Government working collaboratively to deliver positive outcomes for Canberrans.
“Alongside the ACT Government’s ambitious school infrastructure upgrade program, this funding will make a real difference for local schools and students,” she said.
“It’s clear both the Commonwealth and ACT governments are committed to ensuring every child can attend their local public school and know it is a great school with the infrastructure they need.”
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