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Thursday, 19 November, 2020
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School scores big By Mitchell Clarke
Jordan Crugnale announces the exciting news. 221469
learn important life skills along the way. Ms Stewart said her dream was to build an early years centre, so the youngest students can begin their schooling experience in the best possible facilities. Ms Crugnale said the school community was extremely deserving of such a significant funding boost. “This is such brilliant news for the primary school and I want to thank the principal, Katrina Stewart, and her fabulous team. They love their school, give their absolute best to their students so they have every opportunity, every support and have a positive learning experience in every program,” she said. “The kids I’ve met were an absolute delight to talk with and I learnt so much about the Hands On Learning program, the challenges of this year and the highlights as well.” Ms Crugnale said families in Pakenham had done a “phenomenal job” in supporting students to learn from home. “As kids now return to their classrooms, we want to make Pakenham Consolidated School better than before,” she said.
Jordan Crugnale with principal Katrina Stewart, Hands On Program teachers Jade Foot, Shane Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS Chatwood and Chantelle Raab, and students. 221469
Eleni, Lily and Amber give a round of applause to the $10 million dollar announcement. 221469
Bass MP Jordan Crugnale takes a selfie with Pakenham Consolidated students. 221469
Education Minister James Merlino added: “This is an investment in our kids and their future. Because every child, no matter where they go to school, deserves access to state-of-
the-art facilities.” Pakenham Consolidated School, which is 25-years-old, currently educates about 630 students.
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A primary school in Pakenham is set to receive a whopping $10 million towards much-needed upgrades, as part of the 2020/21 Victorian Budget. Bass MP Jordan Crugnale visited Pakenham Consolidated School on Tuesday 17 November to inform the school community they’d be receiving the “impressive sum of money”. But the announcement came as a huge shock to principal Katrina Stewart, who said the news would take some time to comprehend. The school didn’t make any form of application for the funding, and was instead driven entirely by Ms Crugnale. “Jordan’s been out here in the past for tours, and she’s delivered plants for our garden, but I definitely wasn’t expecting this kind of announcement,” Ms Stewart laughed. “I took her on a tour last year to show that we’re really proud of our school. We’re trying to keep up with all the bright and shiny new schools around Pakenham but it is difficult.” Ms Stewart said the funding would make a “huge difference” to the school and came at a much-needed time. “What this’ll do for the community here at Pakenham Consolidated is just huge. It will make such a difference to the kids and families who have put their heart and soul into this school,” she said. “It will just be terrific, especially after the year we’ve all had.” The $10 million upgrade has been set aside to “upgrade and modernise” the school. Money will be put towards a new junior toilet block and the creation of a dedicated space for the school’s ‘HOP’ (Hands On Learning) program. The program, which was recently recognised in a State Government awards scheme, is seeing students from disadvantaged backgrounds engage better in their schooling and