New science block for St James Lutheran College

Minister for Education and Training, Senator the Hon Simon Birmingham said he hoped a future “great Australian breakthrough” will be produced by a student inspired by the new science facilities launched today at St James Lutheran College in Urraween.

Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt joined with Minister Birmingham to tour the new senior science block and additional learning areas, which were developed with the support of a Federal Government grant of $650,000.

“I was pleased to visit St James Lutheran College with Minister Birmingham and see firsthand the new state-of-the-art learning facilities,” Mr Pitt said.

“Students and the whole school community will benefit from these new facilities, which include a covered outdoor learning area,” Mr Pitt said.

Minister Birmingham said the Coalition Government was committed to putting science, technology, engineering and mathematics at the heart of school education.

“It is critical to Australia’s future that more students study science, technology and maths subjects, and facilities such as this new science block at St James Lutheran College will help with that,” Minister Birmingham said.

“Students and the whole school community will benefit from these new learning spaces that incorporate the latest in education research and will help students learn more effectively.

“While buildings alone do not make a great school, I hope students and staff will enjoy learning and be inspired by these new facilities.

“The Australian Government is committed to improving the quality of our schools and equipping students with the skills they need to succeed in an increasingly competitive world.

“This is why we are providing higher levels of school funding than ever before – a record $69.4 billion in total Commonwealth funding over the forward estimates in all states and territories, an increase of 27.3 per cent from 2014–15.”

Minister Birmingham is responsible for the Capital Grants Programme, which provides funding for non-government schools to improve capital infrastructure where they otherwise may not have access to sufficient capital resources.