Tuesday, 27 August 2024

St Andrew’s Primary School, Clayton South

Meng Heang TAK (Clarinda) (19:16): (798) My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Education, and the action I seek is for the minister to join me in visiting St Andrew’s Primary School in Clayton South. I was delighted to announce late last month that St Andrew’s Primary School is one of the 67 projects at 65 Catholic schools across Victoria which will share in more than $243 million to expand and modernise existing facilities or build new schools. This amazing school will receive $1.625 million for the refurbishment of the administration and library spaces and the construction of a new entry to the school that will be fully accessible. The work includes professional spaces for teachers, students and support staff and external site work. This is a huge win for our local community, for acting principal Nicole Black and former principal Paul Wakeling, now retired; both have been fantastic advocates for the school community.

St Andrew’s and other non-government schools are an important part of Clarinda’s education landscape and Victoria’s education system, with more than one-third of Victorian students studying at a Catholic or independent school. I am very proud of this result and proud to be part of an Allan Labor government who is ensuring that every Victorian student can learn in the best facilities, with dozens of local low-fee Catholic schools to receive funding to upgrade classrooms and build new facilities, including in Clarinda. St Andrew’s is a fantastic and popular local school, and this project will mean that its teachers have the best facilities to give the students the best education. I thank the minister, and I look forward to his response.