The future of Warringa Park School’s Cayleys Road campus has been secured by a state government budget boost.
The school is one of 20 specialist schools across Victoria that will share in $68.5 million provided in the 2016-17 budget for upgrades.
The budget will be unveiled today.
It is believed Warringa will get about $1 million.
Werribee MP Tim Pallas said the funding would be used to acquire land at the Cayleys Road campus in Werribee South to provide for the school’s growth.
“This record investment will ensure students at Warringa Park School have more space to learn and play, and ensure students with special needs across the state get the help they deserve,” Mr Pallas said.
Warringa Park School runs four campuses – an early-years and middle-years school on Warringa Road in Hoppers Crossing; a middle-years campus on Bethany Road in Hoppers Crossing; a senior campus in Cayleys Road, Werribee South; and a VCAL campus in South Melbourne.
Certain future
Acting principal Marie Hayes said funding would provide the Cayleys Road campus, which it shares with Mambourin Enterprises, with a certain future.
“It’s very exciting and the school council has been really pushing the provision issue with the department and Tim Pallas for the past couple of years,” she said.
“We need to know that we’ve got ownership over our rural [Cayleys Road] campus and that our students will be there for the next few years.
“We’ve had some preliminary discussions with Mambourin about perhaps buying that land, but it’s only been talk. This money will help those conversations.”
Ms Hayes says the school will meet the Education Department next month to further discuss land acquisition.
