Hi, I’m Kat Theophanous - the Labor Member of Parliament for Northcote in the Victorian Legislative Assembly.
Hi, I’m Kat Theophanous - the Labor Member of Parliament for Northcote in the Victorian Legislative Assembly.
Investment: $12.97 million
Status: Major Upgrade and Modernisation – Fully Funded – Renders Revealed
Students at Westgarth Primary will soon have new and improved facilities thanks to a $12.97 million in funding from the Andrews Labor Government.
This is a massive investment and the culmination of a long journey and huge campaign.
Over the last two years, the school community and I have worked closely together to build a strong case for funding, grow support and put forward a positive vision for Westgarth - and we were successful!
Together we crafted a compelling budget submission, community petition and filmed an amazing student video. We took our case to the Minister, Treasurer and even the Premier.
I am immensely grateful for the support of hundreds of parents, carers, teachers who made countless contributions to this big push for funding.
Along the way, we have also secured over $1.1 million for critical maintenance, accessibility upgrades and a new inclusive play space.
This almost $13 million investment will deliver masterplanning for the school's future. It will replace aging portables with a new building that has modern, accessible and flexible classrooms and deliver a new full sized, competition grade gymnasium.
We now have the funds to build something truly remarkable at Westgarth Primary - facilities that match the incredible teachers, students and community it’s a part of.
Keep an eye out for updates on this projects on my website and social media pages.
Investment: $166,000
Status: Inclusive Outdoor Playspace - Complete
Westgarth Primary has been successful in securing $166,000 for a brand new outdoor inclusive learning space as part of the Andrews Labor Governments competitive Inclusive Schools Fund.
When Principal Jo Wheeler came to me with the proposal for this new inclusive space – I was thrilled and keen to support the project however I could.
This grant will transform the front of the Brooke Street campus with new landscaping and playscapes that cater to students of all abilities. We know that sensory play, contemplative play, energetic and social play are all vital in improving learning outcomes for children – this new space will be a tremendous asset to the school.
But the journey is just beginning for Westgarth Primary School.
Since becoming the local MP, I have been fortunate to visit the school a number of times and have worked closely with Principal Wheeler and the School Council regarding Westgarth Primary’s immediate and longer-term needs.
Westgarth Primary is already an incredible school – with amazing teachers, educational and social programs as well as a supportive, close knit school community. But it also faces challenges due to aging facilities and would benefit from more contemporary and fit-for-purpose learning spaces.
That’s why I’ve been working alongside the school to raise awareness, build the case and put forward a proposal for more significant capital works.
Investment: $600,000
Status: Roof repairs - Complete
From the moment Principal Wheeler first alerted me to the leaks at the Brooke Street campus, I got to work securing the funding to get the roof fixed.
On their behalf I met with the Minister for Education as well as the Department of Education and the School Building Authority to get things moving. I was very pleased to secure $450,165 grant to deliver these much needed repairs.
This grant builds on the $150,000 in emergency maintenance funding we secured for Westgarth Primary earlier in the year.
In an important project milestone, Caisson Design Group have now been appointed to design the roof replacement and Advance Management have been appointed as builders to deliver the works.
I want to take a moment to thank Principal Wheeler and outgoing School Council President Allison Cox for all their hard work to date.
Together, in a very short space of time, we have been able to secure over $1.1 million in funding for Westgarth Primary across programs including Minor Capital Works, Maintenance, Accessible Buildings and most recently Inclusive Schools.
I am looking forward to seeing these extensive upgrades get underway and deliver improved facilities for our Westgarth Primary students.
These are terrific steps on the road to modernising Westgarth Primary, made possible by working collaboratively and constructively towards our shared goals.
The next step with Westgarth Primary is a strategy to help secure more extensive capital works. I’ve already written to the Minister for Education and I’ll keep working with the school community to make it happen.