- Premier
Students from Kalianna now have the specialist education facilities they deserve as the major redevelopment of the school takes shape thanks to the Andrews Labor Government.
Premier Daniel Andrews today joined Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards and Member for Bendigo East Jacinta Allan to inspect the completed first stage of the $15.6 million school upgrade.
The upgrades include a new café space – with kitchen and dining facilities – so Year 11 and 12 Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) students can complete their hospitality training at the school.
The café space also serves as a multipurpose hub for Kalianna students to assemble, with reading nooks and social spaces.
The completed upgrades also include new purpose-built classrooms and the redevelopment of the bus drop-off zone and school entrance to improve accessibility. Administration facilities have also been relocated.
The second stage of upgrades for the Kalianna School are on track to be completed by mid-2020. These upgrades include new multi-purpose learning areas to facilitate collaboration and “team teaching” while also catering for individual student needs. It also includes a new roof over the quadrangle play area.
Kalianna is one of 43 Victorian special schools to be rebuilt, expanded or upgraded since the Labor Government was elected as part of a record investment of $170 million into our special schools, ensuring every child gets the education they need get the best start in life.
The Victorian Budget 2019/20 also invested $218 million to make our schools more inclusive, with more funding to support children with disabilities and additional needs. This included $180 million to support around 5,400 students with high needs to attend mainstream and specialist schools.
The Labor Government has invested $5.6 billion to deliver more than 1,400 school upgrades and supporting over 7,500 construction jobs for Victorians.
As noted by Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews
“We’re building and upgrading schools across Victoria, so families have access to the best schools, with the best facilities and the best teachers.”
“Every student deserves modern school facilities and that’s what we are delivering for the kids and families at Kalianna.”
As stated by Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards
“Kalianna’s rebuild is a testament to the hard work of the parents, teachers and students who fought hard for these upgrades. I was proud to work with them so we could deliver the modern facilities that the students need.”
As stated by Member for Bendigo East Jacinta Allan
“Kalianna is a wonderful school with great students and hardworking teachers – this major upgrade will give students the modern facilities they need to get the best out of their education.”
