Education Minister Peter Collier, Perth MLA Eleni Evangel and Mt Hawthorn Primary School students.
Camera IconEducation Minister Peter Collier, Perth MLA Eleni Evangel and Mt Hawthorn Primary School students. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Mt Hawthorn PS to get $3.5m upgrade

Julian WrightEastern Reporter

EDUCATION Minister Peter Collier today announced plans for a $3.5 million upgrade at 110-year old Mt Hawthorn Primary School to accommodate growing numbers.

Planning will begin early next year on the double storey building that will have seven permanent classrooms at the inner city school.

“Mt Hawthorn is under pressure, we’ve known that for a number of years; there are over 800 students and the State Government’s about to inject $3.5m to increase the capacity,” he said.

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“There’ll be seven classrooms in total, four general and three early childhood classrooms; it’s what the school needs.”

Principal Matt Jarman, who learned of the plans this morning, said there had been a spike in enrolments in recent years.

“We are a thriving inner city suburban school, high functioning,” he said.

“The school went through a burst of enrolments few years ago and it’s now at about 860 kids for the beginning of next year, so the Ministers timing is very much needed.”

He attributed the increased enrolments to a demographic change in the area.

Perth MLA Eleni Evangel said it was an “important step forward” for the school.