Ashwood School welcomes Coalition promise of $1 million

ASHWOOD School will receive $1 million for desperately needed upgrades if the State Government is re-elected, Premier Denis Napthine has announced.

Premier Denis Napthine and Ashwood School principal Helen Hatherly tour the school. Picture: Lawrence Pinder

ASHWOOD School will receive $1 million for desperately needed upgrades if the State Government is re-elected, Premier Denis Napthine announced today.

Dr Napthine toured the school, which is for children with mild intellectual disabilities, alongside Burwood state Liberal MP Graham Watt today, before announcing the election commitment.

“Graham has explained to me that (the school has) a large number of students that keeps growing and growing because it’s such a good school,” Dr Napthine said.

“And (the school does) have a few constraints in terms of portables and classrooms.”

“So I am pleased to announce with Graham that if we’re re-elected this school will get $1 million to spend on upgrades.”

The school’s plan included a new two-storey building to accommodate eight classrooms and a home economics area, new secure fencing and upgrades to the administration space.

School principal Helen Hatherly said it was “fantastic news” for the school, which was built for 144 students but has grown to 208 students.

“We are expanding all the time and squeezing people in, so this way we will be able to do it in a proactive manner,” Mrs Hatherly said.

Dr Napthine’s tour took him through two of the school’s four portable classrooms and a converted house and garage across the street.

“Long-term we want to have everybody on the same site because we also have an off-site program that’s in an old factory near Burwood Highway,” Mrs Hatherly said.

“This money will mean we can accommodate our future growth.”

School council president Paul Beirne said the ever-expanding school was a “victim of its own success” and welcomed the money.

Mr Watt said he was thrilled to help the school, which was popular among local parents.

“It’s a school of choice, and we want to make sure the facilities match the reputation of the school,” Mr Watt said.

Opposition spokesman Murray Newton said Labor would not match the money, and said the school should be “sceptical” about the commitment.

“With the Napthine Government’s poor track record on school spending, schools like Ashwood should be wary of anything this government promises,” Mr Newton said.