General News
6 June, 2026
Planning begins for $12.4m school upgrade
Stawell Primary School 502 has entered the first formal planning stage for its $12.397 million upgrade, with school leaders saying the community response to the funding announcement has been overwhelmingly positive.
The Victorian Government confirmed the major upgrade and modernisation package in the 2026–27 State Budget, with the funding set to support planning, design and future works at one of Stawell’s oldest education sites.
Business manager Barb Wickham said the announcement had brought excitement and relief after years of work by staff and school council to have the school’s building needs recognised.
“School council members were ecstatic and relieved because they’ve done a lot of work to try to get us on the radar for needing help,” she said.
“We’re feeling very blessed and happy.”
Ms Wickham said the news had also been noticed by prospective families visiting the school.
“People coming through for new enrolments tell us they would have chosen the school regardless, but they’re excited to know this investment is on the way,” she said.
“I think it could encourage some families to take a closer look at what our school has to offer.”
The funding follows years of maintenance pressure at the historic school, including roof leaks, stormwater issues, asbestos checks and other building requirements across ageing facilities.
Ms Wickham said the school had now begun the first of two planning phases with the Victorian School Building Authority.
She said the initial stage was focused on consultation with staff and the wider school community, and on shaping the school’s educational vision and future strategic direction, rather than immediately deciding building details.
“It’s more about our educational vision and our future strategic plan,” she said.
“It’s not talking about buildings. It’s talking about what it looks like when you walk around 502 and see everyone learning and teaching.”
Ms Wickham said the first phase was moving quickly, with the school required to submit its initial work by June 22.
“There’s no mucking around,” she said.
“Pretty much the week after the announcement, we had a Webex with the VSBA and were connected with people to help us work through the two phases.”
The second phase is expected to focus more closely on the school’s buildings and how they can better support modern teaching and learning.
Ms Wickham said the school was encouraged that the process would consider its educational goals alongside its infrastructure needs.
“I guess it’s about looking at whether schools are restricted by their buildings in how they can teach,” she said.
She said the speed of the process had been one of the biggest surprises.
“Sometimes with these things it can be quite slow, but the timelines are not too far away,” she said.
“This year is really the planning phase heading into next year, and by the end of next year I expect we’ll start to see some movement on the ground.”
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