Nine low-fee independent schools awarded $26m for new classrooms and facilities

Victorian students at nine independent schools will soon learn in state-of-the-art facilities after the Allan government announced a multimillion-dollar investment.

Education Minister Ben Carroll will announce on Thursday the successful recipients of the latest round of grants as part of the government’s $450m Building Fund for Non-Government schools.

New classrooms, multi-purposes centres and a commercial kitchen are among the projects to commence at nine low-fee independent schools across the state, thanks to a $26.2m cash injection from the Allan government.

Education Minister Ben Carroll will announce on Thursday the successful recipients of the latest round of grants as part of the government’s $450m Building Fund for Non-Government schools.

Good News Lutheran College is among the schools receiving the cash-boost, with $6m allocated towards stage two of its Mambourin Campus.

The Tarneit school, where fees are $9700 annually for a Year 12 student, will see new classrooms and a multipurpose centre built with the funding.

Plenty River College in South Morang will also receive a share, with $5.5m in funding to go towards the construction of inquiry-based learning spaces and a commercial kitchen for vocational training.

Meanwhile Al-Taqwa College, where school fees are just over $3000 for a Year 12 student, will receive $3.1m for stage one of its Truganina campus.

This money will be spent on building 18 classrooms in addition to gathering spaces, student amenities and staff offices.

Other schools receiving a slice of the funding include Ghilgai School in Kilsyth, Y Community School in Epping, Giant Steps Melbourne in Kew, Community College Gippsland in Leongatha, Phillip Island Village School in Ventnor and Global Village Learning in New Gisborne.

“With more than a third of Victorian students attending Catholic or independent schools, it is important that all children across Victoria have access to first-class educational facilities,” Mr Carroll said.

“I am proud that we are supporting nine more low-fee non-government schools – to kick off vital projects that will improve schools and create new learning opportunities for students in the Education State.”

Thursday’s announcement comes after the previous round of funding provided $40m for works at 13 independent schools.

Thirty-one other private schools have also received $84.4m from the fund to date.

The fourth and final round of the Building Fund for Non-Government Schools will open Thursday, with applications due February next year.

More information on the grants programs can be found on the schoolbuildings.vic.gov.au website.

Originally published as Nine low-fee independent schools awarded $26m for new classrooms and facilities