PARENTS at Subiaco’s selective Perth Modern School have greeted an apparent State Government turnaround on a controversial proposal to shift the school to a high-rise in the Perth CBD.
“The parents (who) organised the 13,000 signature petition and large protest in May are delighted that the McGowan Government and Education Minister Sue Ellery are reconsidering the Education Central proposal announced before the election,” a Perth Modern School Campaign Group spokesman said today.
As part of its State Election campaign, the Government announced Perth Modern’s 1300 students would be moved to a multi-story building at the CityLink site near the Perth Railway Station.
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READ NOWThe move would have allowed the Subiaco school’s buildings to be used for a needed second high school in the western suburbs, and not used a City Beach site slated for a new high school by the previous government.
However, the Perth CBD proposal sparked protest and lobbying, with emphasis on the lack of outdoor and play spaces at the CityLink building and accusations parents were never consulted.
Cabinet was understood to be discussing other options this morning, but a spokeswoman for Mrs Ellery said no announcement would be made today.
The Campaign Group spokesman said any decision on other locations should be based on evidence, and consultation had to be transparent.
“We have only one completely academic select school right now in Western Australia, and I think we need more because fully academically select schools are the appropriate way to ensure highly gifted and talented students thrive,” the spokesman said.
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