Photo: Belgrave South Primary School

Minister for Education and Member for Monbulk James Merlino today announced Belgrave South Primary School, in Yarra Ranges, will receive $200,000 to build the new, modern outdoor classroom and community centre. The dilapidated and past its use-by date Community House building will also be removed as part of the upgrade.

The classroom is Stage 4 of the school’s regeneration and will comprise a learning centre and community space focused on horticulture and biological science.

The local Scouts group will also have access to the new classroom and community centre for their activities.

Belgrave South Primary School will use the space to support classes on biodiversity, sustainability, permaculture and self-sufficiency, including a new harvest-to-table education program delivered in partnership with local community groups.

The upgrade will also boost the school’s hospitality program, with the school restaurant using produce grown by students in the surrounding gardens. The community will also be able to use the space for workshops, meetings and local projects.

Belgrave South Primary School is one of thousands of schools with upgrades now underway across Victoria thanks to the Labor Government’s unprecedented $3.8 billion investment in school infrastructure.

This investment has delivered 70 new school projects and more than 1,300 school upgrades, creating more than 5,000 construction jobs.