Funding boost to two Catholic primary schools

Two local Catholic primary schools will share in $717 million promised to the state's Catholic and independent schools. (Ben Wicks on Unsplash).

Catholic primary schools Sacred Heart, in St Albans and St Peter’s, in Keilor East will share in $717 million as part of a state government re-election pledge to build, upgrade and improve low-fee independent and Catholic schools.

The money, announced on Tuesday 25 October, will support extending capacity at Sacred Heart Catholic Parish Primary School, in Winifred Street, St Albans and St Peter’s Primary School, in Parkside Avenue, Keilor East.

Education Minister and Sydenham MP Natalie Hutchins said the funding was an important investment in Victorian schools.

“Only Labor is doing what matters and ensuring every Victorian child has access to a great local school, whether it’s a government, Catholic or independent school,” she said.

The funding to the two local schools is part of $450 million to build and upgrade Catholic and independent schools across Victoria, $250 million to build and upgrade around 60 kindergartens at Catholic and independent schools and $17 million to expand the Smile Squad free dental van to low-fee independent and Catholic schools from 2026.

In making the announcement, the state government said as suburbs grew, there was demand to build and expand Catholic and independent schools so they could meet the needs of their growing local communities.