Almost $13 million in grants will be distributed to non-government schools across South Australia to help fund capital works that will improve learning spaces, increase opportunities for disadvantaged students and cater for more diverse learning needs.
The State Government grants - $6.34 million for Catholic schools and $6.38 million for independent schools - are all earmarked for building projects set to commence over the next year.
Introduced in 2018 to ensure all students have access to a first-class education, the latest funding has been approved for four projects at Catholic schools and 103 smaller projects at independent schools.
It takes the total distributed to more than $106 million, including this round of funding.
The Catholic school projects are:
- Our Lady of Grace, Glengowrie, $2.6 million: The grant will go towards a new building with six classrooms and breakout spaces to cater for the school’s anticipated growth.
- Dominican School, Semaphore, $2.34 million - The school will restore its Heritage-listed convent building, creating a functional space for future use.
- St Joseph’s School, Barmera, $800,000: The school will create three new contemporary learning areas to replace transportable rooms. The new facilities will include breakout spaces and withdrawal rooms to cater for a range of educational approaches and learning needs.
- St Thomas School, Goodwood, $600,000: The school will use the grant to enhance its outdoor play area. It will be landscaped to create soft play areas and improved sports amenities.
The independent school projects include:
- Indie School Elizabeth, $70,250: The school will purchase smart boards to better engage students.
- Muirden Senior College, Adelaide, $41,000: The school will upgrade its student wellbeing hub’s kitchen space to encourage social interaction.
- Rivergum Christian College, Glossop, $41,000: The school will replace worn classroom furniture.
- Navigator College, Port Lincoln, $65,000: The school will modify and refurnish four classrooms to accommodate contemporary learning initiatives.
South Australian Commission for Catholic Schools Chair John Neate said the funding program had provided many benefits.
"Since its inception in 2018 we have been able to make significant upgrades to a number of Catholic schools across South Australia which have benefitted the students and communities immensely," Mr Neate said.
Association of Independent Schools of South Australia Chief Executive Anne Dunstan said independent schools had enrolments of more than 50,000 students.
"South Australian Independent schools educate students from a diverse range of socio-economic, cultural and education need backgrounds," Ms Dunstan said.
"The sector includes two specialist schools, educating students with significant disabilities, three Special Assistance Schools and one Majority Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander School (MATSIS).
"Schools in the Independent sector provide genuine choice for families and their children."
