General News
15 October, 2020
Funding boost for school vision
A BRIGHT future is forecast for students of Terang College and the Hampden Specialist School following the announcement of vital funding last week.
A BRIGHT future is forecast for students of Terang College and the Hampden Specialist School following the announcement of vital funding last week.
Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney visited Terang last week to announce $1.187 million in funding to plan for the relocation of the two school’s junior campuses to the one site.
As part of the funding the Prep to Year Four campuses of both Terang College and the Hampden Specialist School will move to the Terang College 5-12 campus as part of a $42 million State
Government investment into school infrastructure projects.
Ms Tierney said she was “thrilled” to make the announcement.
“This is a great day for students, parents and teachers at both schools. The school communities have worked tirelessly for a very long time to see the schools relocated and upgraded,” she said.
“Families and students with additional needs deserve the best facilities for their education. This is a great step forward.
“I am proud that the Andrews Labor Government has listened to the local community, and we’re planning a new specialist school that will provide a modern facility for children with disabilities in the area.
“The Victorian Government is supporting schools in my electorate like Terang and Cobden to help their students achieve their best results by planning for a future upgrade for their school community.”
Terang College principal Greg Button and Hampden Specialist School principal Kylie Carter were both “delighted” to receive the news.
Mr Button said they had a small inkling an announcement would be made, but never expected it to be to the extent it was.
“We knew nothing but we got a call to say we had to be there (at the junior campuses) at this time,” he said.
“We were excited thinking it would be something but to get this amount of funding in one hit I’m viewing it as a bonus.”
Ms Carter said the two schools had already jointly created a master plan and was pleased they could proceed with their vision for both schools together.
“I was apprehensive about whether it would be the two schools moving but I was elated when it was announced both of us would be able to move forward with our vision,” she said.
The pair said the move would equip both campuses with modern facilities and allow them to provide a greater range of learning programs ultimately to the benefit both schools and its students.
They said the announcement was also recognition of the hard work put in by a number of people in advocating for upgrades including Pam Coolahan, Jo Beard, Ruth Gstrein, Chris Kelly and Gayle Tierney.
Previous school principals and leaders, school councils, politicians and Atlas Building Design had also played a role in advocating for upgrades as well as the formation of the master plan according to both principals.
The two schools will now work with the Victorian School Building Authority to plan the upgrade and undertake ‘Bricks and Mortar’ training, which covers the process they should follow to successfully manage their project.
Corangamite Shire chief executive officer Andrew Mason welcomed the funding and said the project had been a community priority for some time.
He said the campus upgrade at 45 Strong Street would benefit teachers and the school community, especially the students.
“It is great news and I congratulate everyone involved in making this vision a reality,” Mr Mason said.
“A lot of work has gone into project planning and advocating for funding.
“It makes a lot of sense that a single, modern school campus in Terang is the best place for children to learn and be supported.”
