BALLARAT High School will share in more than $850,000 of funding as part of a $3.6 million State Government maintenance allocation to 31 state schools across Ballarat.
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The funding is part forms part of the $515 million the State Government will spend in the coming months, on top of promised election and budget commitments.
Funds are being distributed on a needs basis, with much of the promised money at Ballarat High School to be set aside for outdoor learning equipment and maintenance around the school.
READ MORE: Education funding high on the wishlist
Principal Gary Palmer said much of recent funding schools had received had gone into classroom and indoor facilities, with this "surprise" funding likely to be spent outdoors.
"I think a lot of what of we'll focus on will be outside of the capital works, such as the grounds and outside play areas," Mr Palmer said.
"We're pretty keen to do something out the back of our gymnasium which has basketball, tennis, netball.
"Those activity spaces are really important for schools to promote wellbeing. Our new year nine building for example, we've been keen to put an under cover area outside of their classroom and play space out there, it will also give us a chance to pick up fences, paths and that type of thing.
"You always focus first on where your kids and teachers are doing their core work in the classrooms, so will pick up those other spaces. They don't get neglected, but they get maintained as best you can."
Among the other 30 government schools to receive funding are Ballarat Specialist School ($338,000), Yuille Park P-8 Community College ($315,000) and Phoenix P-12 Community College ($262,000).
Parliamentary Secretary for Schools Tim Richardson who made the announcement in Ballarat said it will enable schools to do essential works such as painting, replacing carpet and windows, landscaping, tree inspections and maintenance of infrastructure such as septic systems and water services.
"We need to maintain our school facilities, not only making sure we attend to those urgent maintenance needs, but also upgrading those facilities so they don't become a problem down the road," he said.
"We need to make sure our small schools and our small projects are supported. We have an obligation to make sure second class facilities don't get in the way of first class education that our teachers and principals provide."
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