Newhaven College will be able to expand its facilities on Phillip Island thanks to a federal funding grant.
Flinders MP Greg Hunt said it was terrific to be able to fund projects that directly benefitted local young people.
“I am incredibly pleased to announce that Newhaven College on Phillip Island will be able to build new senior school facilities with the assistance of a $1.4million Commonwealth Government grant,” he said.
“The funding, provided through the Capital Grants Programme (CGP), will go towards the construction of new facilities for Years 10-12, ensuring students have the infrastructure and resources they need to thrive at school.”
Mr Hunt said Newhaven College, under the leadership of Principal Gea Lovell, had done a tremendous job in gradually building its school on the new Phillip Island Road site to form what is now an impressive, modern school.
“I remember coming to the site when it was just a vacant paddock. Watching it grow and expand over the years had been an incredibly rewarding experience,” Mr Hunt said.
“What started out as the vision of a handful of board members has become a thriving learning space where students are realising their full potential.
“I have visited the school many times but I cannot wait to visit it again once the senior school buildings are completed.
“The students, teachers, parents and school community should all be immensely proud of what they have achieved and I congratulate them on reaching this milestone.”
Newhaven College Principal Gea Lovell said the funding would allow the school to continue to expand, providing further opportunities for local students.
“Newhaven College is thrilled with the continued support of the Federal Government through the Capital Grants Program,” Ms Lovell said.
“Without this support, we would not be able to continue to develop our school facilities on this new site.”
Mr Hunt said the CGP provided funding for non-government schools to improve capital infrastructure where they may not otherwise have had access to sufficient resources.
“This record investment in school funding is allocated according to need and is tied to a range of evidence-based initiatives to improve outcomes in literacy, numeracy and Science Technology Engineering and Maths subjects, helping lift teacher quality and better preparing our children for life after school,” he said.
“The Turnbull Government is committed to improving the quality of education in schools and ensuring students have access to the resources they need to succeed in a competitive world.”