The new high school could be built on the old drive-in cinema site behind Cambridge Council.
Camera IconThe new high school could be built on the old drive-in cinema site behind Cambridge Council. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Skyline in sight for new City Beach High School

Sophie GabrielleWestern Suburbs Weekly

It is among sites shortlisted by the State Government to ease the burden of increasing student numbers at Shenton College and Churchlands Senior High School.

City Beach High School was closed a decade ago due to “falling student numbers”, with the International School of WA (ISWA) currently leasing it from the government.

It is understood plans for the drive-in site would link to the former City Beach High School through a small part of Bold Park, which could leave ISWA’s future at the location uncertain.

PerthNow Digital Edition.
Your local paper, whenever you want it.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

In June, Education Minister Peter Collier said the department was looking at locations in City Beach to “urgently” accommodate more than 1400 students by 2020.

An Education Department spokesman said the preferred sites would be announced for public consultation soon.

Former City Beach High School principal Ian Lillico said it was vital that another public high school opened in the western suburbs.

Mr Lillico was principal of City Beach High School when it was closed due to declining student numbers in 2005, but said he had fond memories from his time at the school.

“I am glad to hear that the government is considering opening another school in the western suburbs,” Mr Lillico said.

“It would make a lot of sense to use the City Beach site as it had quite a number of major renovations and is still to be used for educational purposes for many years to come.

“I believe that the school is really needed and can offer so much to local residents.”

Shenton College principal Michael Morgan said in the past, many parents would send their children to a public primary school and then a private senior school, but he said the majority now stay at the public school until Year 12.

“There is a need for a large high school to offer significant choice,” Mr Morgan said.

City Beach resident Nena Snooks said Shenton College and Churchlands Senior High School were bursting at the seams with the increasing student numbers.

“I was amazed they even closed down City Beach High School in the first place,” Ms Snooks said.

“Private school fees are becoming prohibitive and results from schools like Shenton College and Churchlands show how successful public schools can be.

“We’ve lived in the area for more than 40 years – I think it’s great for the area.”

Ms Snooks said she thought the old drive-in site would be an excellent location for the new school.