Ms Gayle Tierney MP, Member for Western Victoria, representing the Minister for Education, officially opened the canteen at St Ignatius College Geelong at a celebration at the school on Friday, 20 April 2007.
The college hosted a special event to celebrate the blessing and opening of the canteen, the Food Technology Centre, VCE Centre, Technology Centre and Indoor Games Hall. The opening of these facilities represents a milestone in the College and the successful completion of a huge building program, one designed to enhance the learning opportunities for all students through access to improved learning spaces and facilities that incorporate modern technologies and promote team teaching and a variety of learning experiences.
Ms Tierney opened the canteen, which, together with the student amenities block and conversion of a classroom into a science laboratory, was constructed from funding provided by the Victorian Government. The total cost of the canteen, student amenities block and science laboratory was approximately $788,000 comprising $570,000 from the Needs Based Capital Assistance Program for Non-Government Schools 2001 – 2003, and a school community contribution of $218,000.
The Needs Based Capital Assistance Program for Non-Government Schools provided a one off series of grants to assist disadvantaged non-government schools to repair run-down classrooms and build new facilities where classroom and facilities were inadequate. The program provided $15million over the financial years 2000/01, 2001/02 and 2002/03.
In opening the canteen, Ms Tierney said that education is the Government’s number one priority and that the Government is committed to improving standards of education for all students, whether in government, independent or catholic schools. Ms Tierney said that the opening of the facilities funded by the Government shows the strength of that commitment.