Students and staff at St Francis de Sales Regional College in Leeton marked the opening of new building extensions today, thanks in part to Capital Grants Program (CGP) funding from the Turnbull Government.

Local MP Sussan Ley officially opened a $5 million upgrade and construction of dormitories and amenities for 206 boarding students and 15 associated staff.

“As a member of parliament, I have the opportunity to visit many schools in the electorate, no two schools are exactly the same and, likewise, their needs are also different.”

“I am pleased our government has been able to help provide funding for this home away from home for St Francis’ students and staff.”

Included in the project is new wifi, heating & cooling, desks, beds, cupboards, a lift, accessible bathrooms and ramps with the removal of steps and an upgrade of the fire system.

The Australian Government provided over $1.9 million in funding from the CGP, which provides assistance for non-government schools to improve capital infrastructure where they otherwise may not have access to sufficient capital resources.

Independent schools in New South Wales will benefit from increased funding under the Capital Grants Program, growing from $1.4 billion in 2017 to $1.8 billion in 2021, an average per student increase of 4.8 percent each year over the next four years.