CATHERINE KING AND LABOR TO MAKE MORE INVESTMENTS IN BALLARAT PUBLIC SCHOOLS

                                                                                             

Federal Member for Ballarat, Catherine King will today announce that a Shorten Labor Government would invest over $50,000 in capital upgrades at three more Ballarat public schools.

 

This is on top of the $200,000 in capital upgrades at eight Ballarat schools announced in April.

 

These investments will mean that these schools can upgrade their teaching facilities – whether that is science rooms or outdoor education spaces – and offer more engaging classes and better learning outcomes for students.

 

Ballarat’s public schools already offer their students a great education – these projects will make them even better.

 

Wendouree Primary School

 

A Shorten Labor Government would invest $27,195 at Wendouree primary school.

 

This funding will be used to extend the school’s successful CREATE Program by upgrading the shed in which the program operates.

 

This CREATE program offers alternative programs for students who find learning all day in a mainstream classroom very difficult.

 

Additionally, this investment will allow the school to purchase a NAO Coded Robot for use in STEM classes. The NAO robot is an autonomous, programmable humanoid robot that can walk, talk, listen to students and even recognise individual faces.

 

This is an exciting opportunity for the school and will allow it to engage with a wider variety of students and inspire more class members to get involved with STEM.

 

Pleasant St Primary School

 

 

 

A Labor Government would invest $15,000 to upgrade one of Pleasant St Primary’s existing classrooms into a specialist science room.

We know how important it is to get kids involved and interested in science – and this investment will mean Pleasant St students are able to take part in a top-quality science program.

 

Currently makeshift classes take place one day a week in one of the school’s regular classrooms – this investment will mean that every year level at the school will have access to exciting, engaging and informative science lessons.

 

Mt Egerton Primary School

 

A Shorten Labor Government would invest $13,119 to construct an undercover area with seating at Mount Egerton Primary School.

Mt Egerton Primary currently has no undercover areas that allow students to learn outside while also meeting sun safe and OH&S guidelines.

 

This investment will provide a valuable asset to the whole school community – not only will students be able to learn outside but it will provide a space for events such as school concerts, open days, and any other occasion that brings the community together on school grounds.

Importantly, this will be the first significant facility upgrade on the school’s grounds in a number of years.

 

 

These investments are on top of those previously announced:

-          $76,270 to upgrade Ballarat High School’s boatshed,

-          $50,000 towards a fixed shade structure at Myrniong Primary School,

-          $25,000 towards STEM facilities at Gordon Primary School,

-          $20,000 towards an outdoor classroom at Creswick North Primary School,

-          $18,000 towards sheltered seating at Balliang East Primary School,

-          $15,000 towards upgrading the art space at Warrenheip Primary School,

-          $11,925 towards the STEM lab at Canadian Lead Primary School,

-          $9,182 towards a stage at Mount Blowhard Primary School.

                                       

All these capital investments are in addition to the $21.12 million extra investment in schools in Ballarat over the first three years of Labor’s Fair Go For Schools plan.

 

At this election, Labor has committed to funding infrastructure upgrades across Ballarat, including:

-          The Bacchus Marsh Sports Hub,

-          Her Majesty’s Theatre,

-          BIRCH,

-          Ballarat Airport runway extenstion,

-          The Daylesford-Hanging Rock Rail Train,

-          City Oval change rooms.

 

The Liberals have not matched any of these commitments.

 

Labor is the only party which is interested in investing in the future of our community.

 

This election is a choice between Labor’s plan for better schools or bigger tax loopholes for the top end of town under the Liberals.