Holy Trinity Lutheran College received $1.67 million and St Brigid’s College received $1.7 million through a capital grants program. 

The program provided schools with funding to improve school capital infrastructure for students and schools at an educational disadvantage. 

St Brigid’s College principal Peter Gutteridge said the funding would help build a new science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) education centre estimated to cost $8 million. 

It will be the first STEAM education centre for secondary education in regional Victoria. 

He said the project was a real achievement for students in the Wimmera to have access to modern learning facilities. 

“This brings new age learning to the Wimmera and brings opportunities for students in the region to achieve a more in-depth knowledge of science and maths,” he said. 

“Plus, they have the ability to integrate and apply that knowledge in creative ways to solve the challenges of the future.”  

Mr Gutteridge said construction would start in 2018 with the project due for completion within six to 12 months of commencement.

Holy Trinity Lutheran College principal Daniel Weller said a two-storey senior secondary building would be constructed with the funds. 

He said the funding would provide the college with a pre-tertiary educational facility for senior students. 

“The first stage of that precinct will involve general learning areas and our main administration will be located in the building,” he said. 

“There would also be facilities there for senior school students to allow them to do both small group work and individual work and study.

“The second stage will include another gymnasium and a sport and science section.” 

Mr Weller said construction would start in January next year and would be completed at the start of 2019.