Warren Entsch MP has today officially opened the second stage of the Sr Agnes Building at St Monica’s College in Cairns.
Secondary students and staff at St Monica’s College now have full use of five general learning areas, an art room, a maintenance store room, associated walkways and a carpark.
The Australian Government provided $1,713,678 in funding from the Capital Grants Programme.
Mr Entsch attended the opening on behalf of Senator the Hon Simon Birmingham, Minister for Education and Training, and said he was
pleased to see the new infrastructure firsthand.
‘Students and the whole school community will benefit from using these new facilities,’ he said.
‘These new learning areas take into account the latest in education research and will see students learn more effectively.’
The Australian Government is contributing a record $69.5 billion to government, independent and Catholic schools over the budget and forward estimates – this represents a $4.1 billion, or 27.9 per cent, increase between 2014–15 and 2018–19.
As well as delivering increased funding, the Australian Government is focusing on quality and choice for schools.
‘While buildings alone do not make a great school, I hope students and staff will enjoy learning and be inspired by these new facilities,’ Senator 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.’
Senator Birmingham is responsible for the Capital Grants Programme, which provides funding for non-government schools to improve capital infrastructure where they otherwise may not have access to sufficient capital resources.
