$200,000 FEDERAL FUNDING TO DELIVER AIR-CONDITIONING AND PLAYGROUND UPGRADES FOR LOCAL STUDENTS

Local families in the Petrie electorate are the real winners thanks to the Morrison Government’s Local Schools Community Fund.

It was announced this week that eighteen schools in the Petrie electorate have successfully been awarded a share in $200,000 funding for small scale works.

Projects ranging from air conditioning of classrooms to play equipment and IT upgrades were among the approved projects.

Luke Howarth MP, Federal Member for Petrie, said it’s awesome to have been able to assist to secure this funding for our local schools; it’s even better news for the local students who will directly benefit from the upgraded facilities.

“We had an overwhelming number of applications for this grant with requests of $566,000 from 34 local schools and I’m very thankful for the community committee who had to make those difficult choices,” said Mr Howarth.

“Some schools will be using the funding to modernise facilities and improve safety while others simply need air conditioning to help students and teachers to concentrate in class during our hot Queensland summer.”

“These local school projects will go a long way in helping our students and the local school community and I look forward to seeing the finished products.”

Deception Bay North SS Principal Troy Barath said it’s an all-round benefit to be able to fund some air-conditioning for the school.

“Lack of air conditioning in classrooms is a constant concern raised among our teaching staff every year. The installation of air conditioning will increase student engagement, improve student behaviour and teachers’ wellbeing.”

Aspley SHS Principal Jacquita Miller said their funding will be focused on increasing arts engagement at the school.

“The Lecture Centre will be a fantastic gathering area and will be used by students at lunch time for performances, academic morning teas, cultural performances and Sunday family master classes. It’s only thanks to the hard work of Luke Howarth and his team that we’ve been able to achieve this great outcome for our students.”

List of schools with successful applications:

• Aspley East State School, Aspley (outdoor traverse bouldering wall)
• Aspley State High School, Aspley (Lecture Centre outdoor landscaping)
• Bald Hills State School, Bald Hills (tennis court resurfacing)
• Bounty Boulevard State School, North Lakes (air conditioning)
• Bracken Ridge State High School, Bracken Ridge (Student Wellbeing Hub)
• Christ the King Catholic Primary School, Deception Bay (safety footpath)
• Clontarf Beach State School, Clontarf Beach (outdoor seating replacement)
• Deception Bay Flexible Learning Centre, Deception Bay (mobile bus upgrade)
• Deception Bay North State School, Deception Bay (air conditioning)
• Grace Lutheran College, Rothwell (musical instruments upgrade)
• Hercules Road State School, Kippa-Ring (Bays Cluster Hub Initiative)
• Kippa-Ring State School, Kippa-Ring (air conditioning)
• Moreton Downs State School, Deception Bay (playground refurbishment)
• Scarborough State School, Scarborough (IT equipment)
• Southern Cross Catholic College, Scarborough (shade sails)
• St John Fisher College, Bracken Ridge (exam desks)
• St Paul’s School, Bald Hills (community garden)
• Woody Point Special School, Woody Point (Sensory Room and Sensory Garden upgrade)

Funding will be paid to each school at the beginning on the 2020 calendar year allowing projects to begin as soon as possible.