EDUCATION was on the agenda in the northern suburbs on Friday.
Premier Mark McGowan and Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery started their visit to the region with the official opening of Grandis Primary School in Banksia Grove.
They joined West Swan MLA Rita Saffioti to welcome the more than 300 students from years 1 to 6 who have settled into the new facilities, which can accommodate up to 540 students.
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“I am delighted to celebrate the official opening of Grandis Primary School and see this vibrant community settle into the school year in their brand new surroundings,” Mr McGowan said.
“This stunning new school will support the growing number of young families moving to the area and ensure local children have an outstanding facility for their learning.”
Ms Ellery said it was “wonderful to see how proud the staff and students” were and the “support of parents in shaping the direction of the school has been vital”.
The official opening of the $18.8 million stage two development followed the completion of stage one in 2019 for kindergarten and pre-primary students.
Mr McGowan and Ms Ellery then joined Butler MLA John Quigley for the official opening of the $48.4 million Alkimos College.
The school has opened its doors to more than 170 Year 7 students, which will grow to accommodate about 1500 students up to Year 12 by 2025.
It is also one of eight secondary schools across WA chosen to have a specialised autism spectrum disorder learning program, already in place at Alkimos Primary School.
“This program will give those students living on the spectrum with an opportunity at a seamless transition to learning from primary school to high school,” Ms Ellery said.
There is also a whole school approach to science, technology, engineering and mathematics and a high achieving academic program, Alpha.
“Perth’s northern suburbs are booming, and as a government we are focused on ensuring local families have world-class facilities to keep up with the growing population,” Mr McGowan said.
The college will now take some pressure off Butler College, which has grown rapidly to cater for almost 1800 students since opening in 2013.
Mr McGowan and Ms Ellery also visited Kinross College to announce construction of $2.5 million worth of upgrades would start this year, with a contract expected to be awarded soon.
The facilities have been designed by WA-based company Hart Architects, and will include performing and visual arts areas, textiles and food technology classrooms, science laboratories, a library, lecture theatre, beauty therapy room, and external improvements.
“These upgrades will significantly improve the school and students’ learning experiences whilst also supporting local jobs,” Burns Beach MLA Mark Folkard said.
The school’s sports courts are also currently undergoing a $631,000 refurbishment.
A visit was also paid to Wanneroo Primary School where students were learning in a new outdoor science lab.
It was one of 200 primary schools selected to have existing classrooms converted to give students hands-on, high-quality science lessons.
The $46,775 science lab includes a covered paved area with stainless steel tables and benches with sinks and will be the heart of the school’s sustainability centre currently being set up as part of the science program, including recycling, worm farms and a garden.
The school also received $25,000 to purchase laboratory equipment and resources including digital microscopes, solar kits, precision scales, aquariums, terrariums, compost tumblers, recycling materials and fruit trees to create an orchard.
“We’re investing in science to ensure West Australian children are learning in modern environments and have the skills for the jobs of the future,” Mr McGowan said.
“Having access to laboratories in primary school encourages an interest in science from a young age, and provides a high-quality environment to learn hands-on skills.”
Structural works on the new performing arts centre at Ocean Reef Senior High School have also been completed, with Mr McGowan and Ms Ellery visiting the site for a progress update.
Once finished in July, the $5 million facility will have a bigger 100sq m stage and audience space with retractable seating for 264 people, as well as a rehearsal space, green rooms, music practice rooms, toilets and storeroom.
When construction is completed, the existing theatres will be refurbished into a dance studio and music practice room.
“This will be an outstanding building for students and I’m sure a wonderful addition, not only to the school but also the local community,” Mr McGowan said.
“Students will be able to learn many different skills, whether they’re interested in acting, singing, lighting or sound.”
Joondalup MLA Emily Hamilton added it would be a “big asset for the northern suburbs community and will also be available for community groups to utilise”.
The education tour then finished at Warwick Senior High School where Mr McGowan and Ms Ellery joined Kingsley MLA Jessica Stojkovski to check in on staff and students as they prepare for a modern upgrade to classrooms.
The school has received $165,000 to replace older style concertina walls with modern multi-use, moveable walls which will significantly increase acoustic separation between classrooms and functionality of learning areas.
They also double as whiteboards and pin-up boards.
Some concertina walls will be replaced by low walls with glass windows and doors opening into a central collaborative space.
“Warwick Senior High School has a very impressive track record of success, particularly in the sciences, arts and maths,” Mr McGowan said.
“I was thrilled to see first-hand where staff deliver their award-winning programs, and how these new upgrades will improve the learning environment for students.”
The school has also received $78,000 as part of the government’s maintenance blitz funding, with the West Coast Secondary Education Support Centre, on the same site, receiving $26,000.