PHOTO: Director of Catholic Schools Office Archdiocese of Armidale Chris Smyth, Bishop Michael Kennedy, Deputy Prime Minister and Member for New England Barnaby Joyce, St Nicholas Principal Stefan van Aanholt and Parish Priest, Father Jose Adriano unveil the plaque for the new facilities at St Nicholas Catholic School, Tamworth.
Students and staff at St Nicholas School in the electorate of New England will have full use of new facilities including new classrooms, library and administration area thanks to funding from the Turnbull/Joyce Government.
The Deputy Prime Minister and Federal Member for New England Barnaby Joyce officially opened the new facility in Tamworth today on behalf of the Minister for Education and Training Simon Birmingham.
“It was great to visit St Nicholas School and see the new facilities firsthand and the impact they will have on students’ learning potential,” Mr Joyce said.
The Turnbull/Joyce Government provided more than $3.3 million in funding from the Capital Grants Program, which provides funding for non-government schools to improve capital infrastructure where they otherwise may not have access to sufficient capital resources.
The Deputy Prime Minister said students and the whole school community would benefit from these new facilities.
“These new learning spaces take into account the latest in education research and will see students learn more effectively.”
“The Turnbull/Joyce Government is also investing an additional $23.4 billion in Australia’s schools through the Gonski needs-based funding plan that will ensure students who need the most support, get the most support as quickly as possible.
“We’re delivering the real Gonski needs-based funding that Labor distorted with 27 special arrangements with states and territories and sectors.”
Minister Birmingham said the Government’s recurrent funding growth will be tied to a range of evidence-based initiatives to support students by focussing on outcomes in literacy, numeracy and STEM subjects, helping lift teacher quality and better preparing our children for life after school.
“While buildings alone do not make a great school, I hope students and staff will enjoy learning and be inspired by these new facilities,” Minister Birmingham said.
“The Australian Government is committed to improving the quality of our schools and equipping students with the skills they need to succeed in an increasingly competitive world.”
For more information on the Quality Schools reform package visit: www.education.gov.au/qualityschools
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