27 schools in the Page electorate are benefiting from new or upgraded facilities and equipment, thanks to the Albanese Government’s investment in local schools including Kadina High in Goonellabah.

Senator Jenny McAllister was given a tour of Kadina today to view the results of the $25,000 investment.

This is part of the Government’s School Upgrade Fund (SUF) which has delivered $789,000 in local projects, including in Yamba, Lismore, and Casino.

Some local projects include:

• The Rivers Secondary College, Lismore – Upgrading existing outdoor learning space and installing shade structures.
• Casino Public School, Casino – Upgrading or improving existing outdoor learning spaces, and purchasing and/or upgrading ICT equipment (including laptops and tablets).
• St James Primary School, Yamba – Purchasing and installing air-conditioning, purchasing and/or upgrading ICT (including laptops tablets), and repairs or maintenance to school facilities.
• Induna School, South Grafton – Purchasing and/or upgrading ICT equipment (including laptops and tablets), provision of flexible learning arrangements for students, and refurbishing classrooms.

At Kadina, two new murals have been created, new bench seating for students constructed as well as an outdoor table tennis table, new basketball court markings both outdoor and indoor and new staging were some of the changes that have made a difference to students.

(Principal Tracy McGrath talks through the grant improvements with Senator Jenny McAllister)

"In the morning you see heaps and heaps more students sitting down in that area than there used to be," School Captain Riley Harlow told Senator McAllister, "They used to sit up in front of the canteen. It feels a lot more communal. It looks a lot nicer and feels a lot nicer, I think, as a space to be in."

Riley also mentioned the new murals being visually more striking than "just having brick everywhere".

(Senator McAllister talking to Kadina School Captains Riley Harlow and Chloe Allen)

Chloe Allen said the two outdoor basketball courts were "old and rundown" with students running into poles that didn't need to be on the side of the courts.

"We've got better backboards and facilities now which is fantastic," Chloe said.

(Principal Tracy McGrath, Riley Harlow, Senator McAllister, Chloe Allen and Nicki Bartlett Director of Educational Leadership from NSW Education Department on the outside basketball courts)

Senator the Hon Jenny McAllister said, “The Labor Government is investing in public schools in the Northern Rivers. From outdoor learning spaces, shade structures, and air purifiers to upgraded laptops and tablets, this funding has delivered upgrades to schools in the Northern Rivers that need it the most.

"It's a real pleasure to see the funding and support coming to fruition here today."

"Walking through the school this morning it was obvious students were sitting in the shaded area enjoying having new seating, and talking to one another. People seemed happy and relaxed and that's exactly the type of environment that we'd like to see in all of our schools across the country."

New Kadina High Principal Tracy McGrath said, "The previous Principal James Witchard applied for and used the upgrade grant as a way to recognise our entry way to the school as the first point of contact for students, staff and visitors in a way that could benefit the school and broader college."

"With that in mind, we developed a plan to beautify this area in a way that helped raise the profile of the school and also increased our students sense of belonging. We wanted our students to be proud of their school and for the environment to reflect that."

"We utilised our strategic marketing rebrand project to design a new mural that celebrated our positive attributes. We also used this to collaborate with the community and our local AECG to create a consistent school Acknowledgement of Country that could be displayed. From there, we redesigned an important outdoor learning space and upgraded our sports courts to ensure that our learning resources both in and out of the classroom are state-of-the-art and are available for use by all members of our broader college.

"While these projects are only one small part of a shift in our school and college culture, they have played a pivotal role in shifting the way we all think about teaching and learning at The Rivers Secondary College, Kadina High Campus."

The 27 local schools that have received a SUF Grant:

• Albert Park Public School
• Bonalbo Central School
• Broadwater Public School
• Casino Public School
• Corndale Public School
• Eltham Public School
• Glenreagh Public School
• Hernani Public School
• Induna School
• Kyogle Public School
• Larnook Public School
• Lowanna Public School
• Nymboida Public School
• Old Bonalbo Public School
• Our Lady Help of Christians Primary School
• Palmers Island Public School
• St Brigid's Primary School
• St James Primary School
• St Joseph's Primary School
• St Mary's Catholic College
• St Mary's Primary School
• The Rivers Secondary College
• Tucabia Public School
• Tuntable Falls Community Primary School
• Ulmarra Public School
• Wardell Public School
• Wiangaree Public School
• Wooli Public School
• Yamba Public School