General News
4 May, 2022
Budget win for Hampden Specialist School
THE State Government has awarded additional funding to the Hampden Specialist School in the State Budget, with millions added to the existing funding for the Terang campus overhaul.
THE State Government has awarded additional funding to the Hampden Specialist School in the State Budget, with millions added to the existing funding for the Terang campus overhaul.
Labor Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney announced on Tuesday the Victorian Budget 2022/23 will invest $4.3 million to replace relocatable buildings with new permanent facilities at the Hampden Specialist School McKenzie campus.
The extra funding builds on the $11.9 million allocated to the school in the Victorian Budget 2020/21, which will see the Hampden Specialist School and Terang College junior campus shift to the Terang College senior campus on Strong Street.
“We’re investing more money to upgrade more schools across Victoria, and that means that students at schools like Hampden Specialist School will get the best possible support through their educational journeys,” Ms Tierney said.
“You can’t get a first-rate education in a second-rate classroom – this investment will go a long way towards improving the facilities for students at Hampden Specialist School and making their educational journey a modern and engaging one."
“Under our government every child will be supported to reach their full potential – no matter whether they attend a specialist school or a mainstream school.”
Hampden Specialist School is one of 36 special schools to share in $326 million in capital upgrades in the Budget.
Minister for Education James Merlino said the investment is making sure students with special needs receive the same opportunities as every other student in Victoria.
“We’re making sure every Victorian student has access to the best facilities at school, no matter where they live,” he said.
The funding announcements mark a major milestone for the Labor Government, with every special school in Victoria having received funding for a major upgrade since the government took office.
Alongside upgrading special schools, major upgrades will be delivered at 29 mainstream schools, with funding provided to expand capacity to meet enrolment growth at an additional two established schools – making sure every Victorian family has access to the best learning facilities, close to home.
Upgrades will deliver more space for schools in growing communities, improved learning spaces and sports facilities – giving students better educational outcomes in more modern facilities.
In the past eight years, the Victorian Government has invested $12.8 billion in building new schools and more than 1850 school upgrades, creating around 17,400 jobs in construction and associated industries.
The government is ahead of schedule in its work to deliver 100 new schools between 2019 and 2026, with 75 new schools opening between 2019 and 2024.