TWO Normanton schools have benefitted in almost a million dollars of state funding that will help them grow in the future.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The state member for Mount Isa Robbie Katter, who was on a tour of the Gulf region, announced the Gulf Christian College had won $550,000 in capital assistance grants.
College principal Jake Randall took Mr Katter on a tour of the facility on Tuesday and said they would be using the funds to construct a covered sports area on a vacant allotment near the campus.
Mr Katter said he was pleased Gulf Christian College would be able to use the funds to expand facilities.
“The sports area will give students great opportunities for physical education classes and extra-curricular activities,” Mr Katter said.
“Students through the region travel to Gulf Christian College and I’m pleased they’ll be getting access to top-quality learning environments.”
The college is a currently a P-8 co-educational school (though it is looking to expand to year 9) established in 1986 with strong links with Nambour Christian College, a P-12 school on the Sunshine Coast.
Mr Katter then travelled on to Normanton State School where he met principal Tonia Smerdon, whose school was also the recipient of a state grant.
In July Education Minister Kate Jones approved the school $326,833 of funding assistance under the Smart Schools Subsidy Scheme towards a sports courts shade structure project.
The subsidy scheme contributes to the cost of school infrastructure projects to enhance learning outcomes and the wider community.
Ms Smerdon told Mr Katter the shade would enable students to play sports like basketball under shade in the heat of the sun and would also keep out the rain in the wet season.
Mr Katter congratulated both schools on their successful applications and said he looked forward to seeing the finished product.
“I encourage schools to contact my office for help with applying for state government grants,” Mr Katter said.
Derek Barry
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
