New century cash

By Monique Ebrington
A LARGE number of schools across the Yarra Valley have been successful in their applications under round two funding of the Primary Schools for the 21st Century (P21).
The P21 funding is part of the Federal Government’s $14.7 billion Building the Education Revolution plan.
Yarra Junction Primary School has received $2 million for new classrooms.
This lift for the school comes just after the recent completion of the school’s new school and community stadium that will be officially opened next term.
Money for the stadium came from federal and state governments and the community as part of a school co-operative.
Yarra Junction Primary School Principal Chris Thomas said he is “over the moon” with the funding that will provide a valuable facility to the school and new students.
“We have been waiting for new buildings,” he said. “Our enrolments have nearly doubled in size over the last six years and have been restricting our enrolments.
“So with this new building, we get an extra classroom and will be able to start taking enrolments again.”
The funding will also be going towards a new toilet block.
Little Yarra Steiner School in Yarra Junction, Healesville Primary School and Wandin Yallock Primary Schools have also been successful and will be using their $2 million towards new libraries.
Yarra Glen and St Joseph’s Primary Schools in Yarra Junction will be putting their $2 million towards multi-purpose halls.
St Brigid’s Primary School has received $900,000 for a multi-purpose hall and $1.1 million for the refurbishment of their library.
Buxton, Gladysdale and Seville primary schools will receive $850,000 for newly constructed classrooms.
Wesburn Primary School will receive $900,000 and Wandin North Primary School will receive $1.1 million for the construction of their new classrooms.
Christmas Hills, Chum Creek, Gruyere, Toolangi, Yering, Yellingbo and Don Valley primary schools will all undertake $250,000 of classroom refurbishment.