From left: Kais Templeton, Linda Knox, Eve Morecroft, Kiana Bentley, Parsa Hosseini and Shelley Smith. d425457
Camera IconFrom left: Kais Templeton, Linda Knox, Eve Morecroft, Kiana Bentley, Parsa Hosseini and Shelley Smith. d425457 Credit: Supplied/Matt Jelonek

Independence trend strong

Claire OttavianoWanneroo Times

Education Minister Peter Collier announced on Wednesday that 178 WA schools, 20 of those within the cities of Wanneroo and Joondalup, would operate under the independent public school IPS) model next year.

Bambara Primary School principal Linda Knox said the change would give the Padbury school freedom to make decisions on the staff they employed, financial management, governance and accountability.

‘IPS would give the school greater flexibility to manage its own affairs and, in particular, employ staff who are responsive to the needs of students and prepared to engage with parents to achieve the very best outcomes for their children,’ she said.

‘Parents will be empowered to partner with the school and the school board to take a lead role in making decisions about their child’s education.’

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Mrs Knox said many parents were well informed of the decision and showed a keen interest for the school to become IPS.

Schools are selected on their capacity to assume greater responsibility, local support and all-round benefit.

Northern suburb primary schools becoming Independent Public Schools in 2015:Bambara (Padbury)Clarkson Edgewater Glengarry (Duncraig)Goollellal (Kingsley)Greenwood Hawker Park (Warwick)Heathridge Mullaloo Heights Poseidon (Heathridge)Poynter (Duncraig)Quinns Beach (Quinns Rocks)Quinns Rocks South Padbury Spring Hill (Tapping)Springfield (Kallaroo)West Greenwood Other schools becoming independent in 2015:Joseph Banks Secondary College (Banksia Grove, opening 2015)Warwick Senior High SchoolWest Coast Language Development Centre (Ridgewood and Padbury Campus)