Ballarat Secondary College’s two campuses are both set to undergo a major face-lift after the state government announced $9 million in funding would be included in Tuesday’s 2017/18 budget.
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BSC’s Mount Rowan campus will receive $6 million of the funding which will result in the development of a new building for science, technology, arts and maths, while classrooms across the campus will also be upgraded.
The campus will also receive a new food technology space as well as significant landscaping works.
BSC principal Rick Gervasoni said while the school had previously been neglected, the upgrades would instill a new sense of pride in students and staff alike.
“The feeling was (the community) thought there hadn’t been as much funding going towards keeping the facilities up to date compared to some of the other schools, but that’s changed and that’s really exciting,” Mr Gervasoni said.
The $3 million allocated to the Woodman’s Hill campus will be put towards the redevelopment of the 1950s technology and arts building as well as refurbishing administration spaces.
Tuesday’s funding will bring the state government’s overall investment in the college to $18 million, after $9 million was pledged to the two campuses in the previous two budgets.
The school has just completed a major structural transformation with the abolition of the year 12 Barkly Street campus and the inclusion of full VCE studies at the two remaining campuses.
Mr Gervasoni said the investment would play an important role in allowing to school to redefine itself.
“They will have access to state of the art classrooms and technology, and it allows our teachers to take advantage of all of the latest resources and techniques,” Mr Gervasoni said.
“It means that our students aren't disadvantaged in any subjects and in any learning that takes place and it makes a huge difference to (students) in how they value themselves, how they value their education and their school.”
Wendouree MP Sharon Knight said the upgrade had been a long-term aspiration and the new buildings would reflect the effort of staff and students at the school.
“It’s terrific news for the neighbourhood of Wendouree and the students who will come from Miners Rest and Creswick, for the families and the really hard working staff,” Ms Knight said.
“Ballarat Secondary College now has two campuses...that go from year seven to year 12, so it’s really even more important that these year 11 and 12 students who are now here will get the best facilities that they can.”
