By Danielle Kutchel
Hampton Park Primary School has received a welcome funding boost through the State Government’s $70 million Minor Capital Works Fund.
Member for Narre Warren South Gary Maas announced on Wednesday 2 December that Hampton Park Primary School has been allocated $264,625 as part of the fund to fast-track a priority project.
Principal Elizabeth Davey said the school plans to put the money towards a community and wellbeing hub for students and their families.
This year was the first that the school was part of Community Hubs Australia, with a focus on English as a Second Language and refugee families – supporting them to learn English and make connections with the community and the school.
“We want a proper dedicated space to continue that work,” Ms Davey said.
The hub will also be linked to the student wellbeing work of Averil Mitchell, leading teacher student engagement and inclusion at the school, who was recently announced as the winner of the Outstanding Primary Teacher Award in the Victorian Education Excellence Awards.
“It’s something that’s been in the pipeline,” Ms Davey said of the new space.
“We underwent a rebuild in 2017 that replaced all the existing classrooms but didn’t give us that communal space – so when this funding came up, we thought this is our way to get it.”
She said staff are thrilled at the prospect of the hub as they feel it gives value to their work while allowing them to be creative in what they do.
For students, Ms Davey said she hoped the space will prove the positive value of education for all families.
“It will be a tool or vehicle for people to access and enjoy and be more engaged in student learning,” she said.
“For our children with different needs, we hope they will have successful engagement in the primary school setting and curriculum.”
She also extended a thank you to Mr Maas for alerting the school to the funding opportunity.
The project is expected to commence in early 2021.
“Hampton Park Primary School is a great local school and I am looking forward to seeing the development of this new space which will benefit the entire community,” Mr Maas said.
