$3.3 million for St Joseph’s

JOHN Tobin, principal of St Joseph’s High School in Aberdeen said they are thrilled with today’s announcement by Barnaby Joyce that they the school will receive more than $3.3 million from the federal government which will be the ‘icing on the cake’ and transform the school into a ‘very contemporary space’.

“To say we are excited about the funding, is an understatement,” said Mr Tobin.

“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,” he said.

“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,” John Tobin said.

Barnaby Joyce, acting prime minister and member for New England has welcomed his government’s announcement and said the Turnbull-Joyce Government recognises the importance of providing and improving school capital infrastructure, particularly for the most educationally disadvantaged students.

The overall cost of the project is $5,311,898, with $3,346,041 from the federal government and the remaining $1,965, 857 from other sources.

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.