School upgrade is progressing well

By Sarah Thompson
DEVELOPMENT is continuing at St Patrick’s Primary School in Pakenham, with current works set to be completed by the end of July.
The $4.5 million school and parish development is funded entirely from local sources and borrowings.
Principal Mick O’Brien said that the parish community development side of the works includes parish administration, play group and meeting facilities and a hall.
For the school side, the works include a complete administration centre, parent and meeting rooms, office areas, a medical room, staff lounge and a library.
A car park and student amenities have already been completed.
“This building is the first stage of major developments,” Mr O’Brien said.
The school is now waiting to hear if it will receive three grants to continue work.
The first is a heritage grant through the Cardinia Shire, to refurbish the original 1872 St Patrick’s church building.
The second is a small government capital grant to reinstate and refurbish an early 1900s classroom.
The third is a refurbishment of the senior school classroom and administration block, which will provide extra classroom areas.
At present there are 270 students at the school, but Mr O’Brien predicts that there may be between 500 and 600 within five years, which will require the creation of more classroom areas.
“The school is growing,” Mr O’Brien said.