Education Minister Sabine Winton and Scarborough MLA Stuart Aubrey announced a $10 million State Government scheme to upgrade canteens at 97 Western Australian public schools, including several in Perth's northern suburbs. The announcement was made last Friday at Deanmore Primary School in Karrinyup, one of the recipient schools, which will use the funding to purchase new kitchen appliances and utensils.
Schools Benefiting in Northern Suburbs
Seven schools in the City of Wanneroo, eight in the City of Joondalup, and nine in the City of Stirling are set to benefit. Notable schools include Butler College, East Wanneroo Primary, Girrawheen Senior High, Yanchep Rise Primary, Duncraig Primary, North Woodvale Primary, Balcatta Primary, Lake Gwelup Primary, and North Balga Primary.
Local Support for Canteen Upgrades
Mr Aubrey emphasised the importance of canteens in school communities. "Canteens are at the heart of school communities, which is why I am proud to see schools like Deanmore Primary get the support they need to upgrade their canteens," he said. "This grant will help the school P&C to prepare, store, and distribute more healthy food to our students, giving them the best possible chance to learn."
Health and Wellbeing Focus
Ms Winton highlighted the role of canteens in student health. "We know that good nutrition plays an important role in both learning and wellbeing, and school canteens are an important part of that," she said. "The significant volume of applications we received for this program is a testament to the dedication of schools and their commitment to improving student health and wellbeing."
Funding Details and Next Steps
The grants, initially up to $50,000 per school, are part of a $2.3 million first-round funding package under the small funding stream. This cash injection supports practical improvements and minor infrastructure upgrades, including new kitchen gear to help staff better serve their communities. The State Government said applications for the larger funding stream will be assessed by early Term 3, 2026, with successful schools announced shortly after.
