Hannah Hammoud
Sunshine Heights Primary School (SHPS) is one of 67 public schools across the state which will share in a pool of funding to build and upgrade infrastructure within the school grounds.
The latest round of the federal government’s schools upgrade fund will award $499,851 to SHPS that will be put towards the refurbishment of the school’s student toilets.
The federal government said it prioritised public schools with the “greatest need”, including schools with high numbers of students from a low-socio economic background, First Nations students, and students with disability.
The latest round of funding was open to all public schools and applications closed in February.
Schools submitted their projects to their relevant state and territory education departments which made recommendations to the federal government.
Sunshine Heights Primary School acting principal Anthony Atkinson said there was a “clear need” for the school to upgrade their student toilets.
“Our principal David Cocks was heavily involved in securing this funding and the school community worked really hard to lobby for the government to support the school and help us meet a need that’s been clear for quite a while that our toilets need an upgrade,” Mr Atkinson said.
“It was very much a team effort driven by our parents who were really active in expressing their desire to have the school considered and it has led to a really great result for the school. We are very excited to refurbish the toilets and make it better for the children.”
Braybrook’s Dinjerra Primary School also received $366,504 that will go towards upgrading the school’s soccer pitch and basketball court.
Assistant Education Minister Senator Anthony Chisholm said this is a “great outcome” for schools in Victoria.
“Our schools deserve great infrastructure and the latest equipment to help students achieve their best – no matter where they live, or what their background may be,” he said.
“To continue to be a smart and innovative nation, we need to ensure that all Australians have the same opportunities and access to a supportive learning environment.”
Details: www.education.gov.au/schools-upgrade-fund
