Capital Works Funding Update
We would firstly like to thank all the parents who wrote letters to MPs last term and who have continued to keep our need for capital works funding in conversations.
These conversations are so important. Last term we were approached by a City of Port Phillip Councillor who told us a group of parents had discussed our needs with him, and he was keen to be more involved and help us. Likewise, we know the letters you have sent have reached the VSBA and the Education Minister, and discussions are happening at the state government level.
Our advocacy work has also progressed over the school holidays. In the coming weeks we hope to be able to share with you plans for the building works we have been pushing for, along with some exciting updates that we’re confident will result from meetings scheduled over the next few weeks.
As we’re sure you are aware, we have a state election coming up this November. We have just over 4 months to make the most of this opportunity, that only comes around every 4 years, to push our MPs and tell them what we need and want. Once again, we are asking you to continue to send letters, even if you have already written before. Constant and sustained pressure is the best way for us to get our message across.
In addition to the earlier letter templates, we have some new information about the Rolling Facilities Evaluation. These evaluations are conducted by the VSBA every 5 years and include a detailed appraisal of every building within a school. A report is then generated, which gives each school a Condition Assessment Score (CAS). School CASs range from 0 to 5 and consider outstanding maintenance issues, defects and damage to property across school buildings, grounds and other infrastructure.
A CAS rating | means the school is in |
of 3.50 or over | good condition. |
between 3.25 and 3.49 | worn condition. |
under 3.25 | poor condition. |
SKiPPS currently has a CAS rating of 3.39, putting us in the ‘worn’ category, with the state average being 3.48. Our school sits below the statewide average for the condition of its buildings, grounds and infrastructure.
The VSBA says capital funding is based on need and CAS guides. In the most recent state budget announcements, 10 schools with a higher condition rating than St Kilda Park Primary were awarded capital works funding.
School | Capital funding 26–27 state budget | Project | Condition Assessment Score |
Mornington Park Primary School | $0.331 million | Upgrades and modernisation | 3.41 |
Edithvale Primary School | $1.341 million | Covered outdoor learning area and upgrading outdoor courts | 3.41 |
Boroondara Park Primary School | $16.542 million | Upgrading Block A | 3.42 |
Eaglehawk Primary School | $0.694 million | Building new toilets | 3.43 |
Warranwood Primary School | $0.344 million | New playground | 3.44 |
Vermont Primary School | $15.514 million | New learning building with STEAM and admin space | 3.44 |
Spensley Street Primary School | $1.038 million | Upgrading ground floor toilets | 3.48 |
Moomba Park Primary School | $0.314 million | A modular music classroom | 3.54 |
St Kilda Primary School | $13.173 million | New competition grade gymnasium and oval | 3.67 |
Keysborough Gardens Primary School | $8.064 million | Building a library, science and tech spaces and synthetic turf oval | 5 |
If funding is based on need, and the VSBA’s condition assessment scoring is accurate, why are we missing out?
Thanks again for your support.
SKiPPS School Council