The Acting Prime Minister and Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce has welcomed the announcement that more than $3.3 million of Commonwealth funding  for St Joseph’s High School, Aberdeen.

Mr Joyce said the overall project cost of $5,311,898 involves $3,346,041from the Government, with the remaining $1,965,857 provided from non-Commonwealth sources.

He said the funding will be used for the refurbishment of the vacated library to provide for improved school entry and administration areas and specialised learning areas for the art, technical and applied studies and Vocational Education Training. The project also incorporates the construction of additional space in the multi-purpose hall to provide a specialist fitness learning space.

Mr Joyce said the Turnbull-Joyce Government recognises the importance of providing and improving school capital infrastructure, particularly for the most educationally disadvantaged students.

St Joseph’s Principal, John Tobin said the students, parents and friends of the school said “to say we are excited about the funding, is an understatement”.

Mr Tobin, who has been the Principal at St Josephs for 26 years, said the Stage 2 of the redevelopment would be “the icing on the cake” and would transform the school in to a “very contemporary space”.

“This funding, will update the facilities available for students in areas such as technical subjects and visual arts,” he said.

“It will provide a much better environment for the school’s teachers and secretarial staff and enable the school to more effectively utilise information technology for which the school is already an acknowledged leader.

“The community of St Joseph’s High School Aberdeen, which encompasses a vast expanse of the area from Merriwa to Ellerston, and Murrurundi to Jerrys Plains, is excited to hear the news of the Federal Funding.”