St Martin of Tours Primary to receive $1.5m cash boost if Labor wins state election

ST MARTIN of Tours Primary School art teacher Yvonne Torrico won’t have to push her supply trolley to each classroom if the Labor Party wins the election.

Labor announces funding for St Martin of Tours Primary School in Rosanna if elected. Deputy Opposition Leader James Merlino speaks with school captain Elly. Picture: Kylie Else

ST MARTIN of Tours Primary School will receive $1.5 million to upgrade classrooms if Labor wins the state election.

Opposition Education spokesman James Merlino and Ivanhoe state Labor MP Anthony Carbines promised the Rosanna Catholic school the money to upgrade nine grade one and two classrooms and an art room on November 13.

The promise came as part of the Labor Party commitment to provide $120 million to build and upgrade Catholic and Independent schools by matching dollar-for-dollar contributions.

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Mr Merlino said the cash commitment would match $1.5 million payment from the school and the Catholic Education Office.

“Catholic and independent schools are a vital part of our education system and modern facilities are so important for the future of our kids,” Mr Merlino said.

Mr Carbines said St Martin of Tours was one of the most popular schools in the Ivanhoe electorate.

“Every child deserves state-of-the-art classrooms and a great education,” Mr Carbine said.

School principal Trish Stewart said the announcement had “blown her out of the water” with excitement.

“To have this opportunity to have some money to refurbish and rebuild and create an art classroom is fantastic,” Ms Stewart said.

Ms Torrico said she would love to have an art classroom to teach the children rather than having to wheel her trolley of supplies around every day.