Schools build for the future

By Sarah Thompson
DESPITE recent wet weather, building is continuing at two Pakenham schools in an attempt to bring local education into the 21st century.
Pakenham Secondary College and St Patrick’s Primary School were last year given government grants to improve their schools’ facilities.
Pakenham Secondary College principal Cheryl Chapple believes the $4.2 million grant is not just improving buildings, it is improving education for its 1100 students.
“We are building a year-nine centre and a senior school centre,” Ms Chapple said.
The grant has also been used to build a car park, relocate older buildings and construct shelters.
With works on the year-nine centre set to be completed this month, and the senior centre next February, Ms Chapple is looking at plans to build a science, arts and technology building at a cost of $6 million.
St Patrick’s Primary School has also benefited from a $4.5 million government grant, which is helping to build a new parish hall.
The school has constructed a new car park, offices, medical rooms, playrooms and parents’ rooms, which are set to be completed by the end of July.
Principal Mick O’Brien has two more grants in the works – to refurbish a 1900s classroom to its original appearance and repairing and refurbishing the school church.
“It’s a piece of our history and we have to look after it,” he said.