Bigger but still friendly

Yanchep residents spoke to the Times about their children’s shift from Yanchep District High School to Butler College for Year 11 this term.

About 45 students from YDHS, plus another 10 from Gingin District High School, are the first to fall under the Butler College catchment.

Previous cohorts transferred to Mindarie Senior College, which only offers years 11 and 12.

Karan Wilton said her son Connor Bryant-Evans (16) was enjoying the newer facilities at Butler and the range of courses.

“He has found it a bit challenging coming from a smaller school to a bigger school,” she said.

“When they go to Mindarie, everyone who goes is new to the school but when they go to Butler everyone is established in their friend groups.”

Mrs Wilton said Connor had been to Butler College last year for maths tutoring and they attended parents’ evenings to get to know about the school before the change.

“The courses they have there are brilliant; the facilities are fantastic,” she said.

“It’s amazing what they have got – I’m really happy that he is going there.”

Eliska Membry said her son Cooper (16) had felt both excited and daunted about going to Butler.

“We as a family haven’t had any concerns,” she said.

“I went to all the meetings that they had last year – I found it really informative with what they had to offer.

“There’s a feeling of excitement to it and there’s a daunting side – the sheer size of the school.

“He has done all his schooling in Yanchep – this is his first different school. It was easier than I thought it would be; the transition.

“They are staying in their groups that they had in Yanchep but he hasn’t come back with any negative feedback.”

Ms Membry said she was happy with the educational facilities at Butler.

Deputy principal Barry Rose said what he told Yanchep parents last year – that the college would love to have their children – still rang true.

“They are really welcome; they are a nice bunch of kids,” he said.

Expected to peak at 2100 students, Butler College’s catchment area will cover Yanchep, Two Rocks, Eglinton and part of the Shire of Gingin for years 11 and 12 until a secondary school opens in Yanchep in 2019.