A NEW bus interchange which can link Siena Catholic Primary School and the new Lucas Primary School is the cornerstone to a $1.8 million election promise made by the Coalition on Monday.
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Opposition education spokesman Tim Smith joined Ripon MP Louise Staley for the announcement which will also see a new gym built at Siena.
It is part of a $400 million capital grants commitment from the coalition to upgrade non-government schools.
Siena Principal Jo Brewer said this funding promise secured the full amount needed, which asyet had not been committed from the state government.
“It’s terrific to have the full amount with the announcement,” she said. “We know what we need and we know what it costs.
“We have put our hands up for grants and we haven’t had the full amount, so we had to scale back and settle for less than what we really do need.”
Ms Brewer said you only had to turn up at home time to know how critical a bus interchange was needed.
“The way it is now, the bus interchange is very necessary,” she said. “It’s something we need to have as have a number of students that come in from Smythesdale, Burrumbeet and surrounding areas, this will enable us to manage it a lot better.
“I’m hoping we will share lots of things with the school next door, i think there is a lot we can do together.”
Ms Staley said having seen the school grow from opening day of just 52 students, to soon be more than 200, it was crucial that upgrades
“This is fantastic news for Siena Catholic Primary School and I am delighted to announce this funding for a much-needed upgrade,” she said..
“Siena has experienced exponential growth in recent years and the new gymnasium is needed to ensure students have access to new, modern facilities to grow and learn.”
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