Holy Trinity Lutheran School has received money from the state government to build the final stage of its middle school redevelopment.

The school offers prep to year 9, but has been growing each year.

It will take on a class of year 10 students next year, year 11s in 2018 and year 12s the in 2019.

Principal Jeff Gork said it was an exciting announcement.

“Up until now we have received smaller amounts of money from the federal government,” he said.

“This is state government money for independent and catholic schools and it’s the first time the government has given out these capital grants.

“The beauty of it is that it’s dollar for dollar funding.”

The money will go towards classrooms and seminar spaces.

Mr Gork said he would now look at the fine print about the tender process.

“We would love to go to tender quite quickly and have a builder appointed to the project as soon as possible,” he said.

“We are building stage 2a now, which will be finished in November or December, but we would love to finished stage 2b at the same time.”

Mr Gork said stage 2b would include new classrooms. 

He said the success of the school’s funding application was proof of its growth.

“The funding is for new buildings and refurbishments, and while many new schools received money too, we have demonstrated our continued growth and continued demand, which was why were successful,” he said.

Mr Gork said the plan was still to start a new year level each year at the school.

“Once we have finished the middle school works, then the next major building will be our senior school for years 10 to 12,” he said.

Mr Gork said it was an extensive application process for the grants. 

“It was a very lengthy process with business planning and financial models,” he said.

“A lot of staff worked really hard and we are really thrilled.

“I have to give credit to the state government because this shows they are serious about education for all Victorians.”

Lutheran Church of Australia Victorian District Church Council approved the school’s expansion to year 12 earlier this year.