SCHOOLS in Macedon will share $1.8 million from a State Government disability inclusion package aimed at supporting learning, contribution and participation of children with disabilities in their schools and classrooms.
Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas attended Gisborne Primary School this month to announce the 20 schools across the electorate that would receive funding support to make their classrooms more inclusive for all students.
“This funding will enable schools in Macedon to support more students with disability, so that they can get the great education they deserve,” Ms Thomas said.
Some of the schools to receive extra funding include: Gisborne Secondary College, $185,875; Gisborne Primary School, $122,911; Romsey Primary School, $96,275; Riddells Creek Primary School, $86,973; and Lancefield Primary School, $63,678.
Schools in Macedon are currently in the first year of a five-year disability inclusion roll-out, and will all receive a base level of funding from term three this year, with additional funding provided depending on an individual school’s characteristics.
The new funding support is ongoing and is in addition to support already provided through the government’s current Program for Students with Disabilities.
Schools will use the funding to implement whole-school practices that support the inclusive education of students with diverse learning needs such as autism and other learning difficulties.
The funding could help schools undertake professional development for staff, employ new disability and inclusion staff, and purchase programs, interventions or specific equipment and technology – depending on the needs of students and the school.
Disability inclusion will be rolled out progressively during the next five years, reaching all government schools by 2025.
Funding boost for Macedon Ranges safe schools
STUDENTS in the Macedon Ranges Shire will be ensured safe classrooms and full access to VCE subjects following the announcement of $913,000 funding to be distributed across three programs.
The State Government will allocate $330,000 from the Planned Maintenance Program, $557,000 from the Bushfire Preparedness (Vegetation) Program and $26,000 from the VCE Collaboration Fund to various schools in the shire.
Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas said students would have access to the education they deserved thanks to the funds.
“This incredible trifecta of funding will enable schools in Macedon to ensure that they are bushfire prepared, VCE ready and also provide much needed funds for maintenance to fix ongoing building issues for our local schools,” she said.
“These funds mean students can get the great education they deserve in the Education State.”
The schools receiving funding for Planned Maintenance include: $245,000 for Lancefield Primary School, and $15,000 for both Romsey Primary School and Tylden Primary School for high priority maintenance tasks identified in the school’s specialist assessment to address roof plumbing and structural issues.
Darraweit Guim Primary School has been allocated $40,000 for high priority maintenance works on the school’s Shelter in Place building. The works will be delivered by the Victorian School Building Authority on behalf of the school.
Newham Primary School has been allocated $10,000 for high priority maintenance tasks identified in the school’s specialist assessment to address the school’s structural issues.
Twenty-six schools will share $557,004 from the Victorian Government’s $9.15 million Bushfire Preparedness (Vegetation) Program for 2021-22 to ensure readiness and preparation for the upcoming fire season.
Gisborne Secondary College and Kyneton Secondary College will share in $26,000 from the VCE Collaboration Fund, which is part of a $22.65 million State Government investment to give regional and rural students access to the full range of VCE subjects.
Choice of subjects at schools is a key driver for student retention and for VCE completion, however rural and regional students generally have fewer VCE subjects to choose from than their metropolitan counterparts.