$3.2 million for St Catherine's

JANUARY 31, 2018: Congratulations go to St Catherine's Catholic College The Whitsundays today as the school will undergo a major expansion thanks to a $3.2 million Australian Government grant.The funding, through the Capital Grants Program, will go towards the completion of Stage 5 of the new school, which will include the construction of general learning areas, prep learning areas, multipurpose rooms, a library and store room as well as the conversion of existing space to an administration and store room.These funds will ensure students at St Catherine's Catholic College The Whitsundays have the infrastructure necessary to help them get the most out of their time at school.Catholic Diocese of Townsville Director of Leadership and School Development Ross Horner welcomed the announcement."The Catholic Diocese of Townsville, Townsville Catholic Education and the St Catherine's community is delighted with the announcement of funding to complete Stage 5 of our new St Catherine's Catholic College located in Proserpine,” Mr Horner said.“St Catherine's is a K-12 college which caters for the Whitsundays region with students travelling from as far away as Bowen to access the Catholic School experience.“We would like to offer our thanks to the Australian Government through Minister Simon Birmingham and Mr George Christensen for this support. “This funding ensures the Whitsunday community has a choice in education.  We believe educational choice makes the education sector stronger."Minister for Education and Training Simon Birmingham said the Capital Grants Program provides funding for non-government schools to improve capital infrastructure where they otherwise may not have access to sufficient resources.“The Liberal National Government is committed to improving the quality of our school education and ensuring students have access to the resources they need so they are equipped with the skills to succeed in an increasingly competitive world,” Minister Birmingham said.“The Liberal National Government is also investing an additional $25.3 billion in Australia’s schools through the Gonski needs-based funding plan that will ensure students who need the most support, get the most support as quickly as possible.”Minister Birmingham is responsible for the Capital Grants Program, which provides funding for non-government schools to improve capital infrastructure where they otherwise may not have access to sufficient capital resources.