Ashdale Secondary College extended as Year 7s move in

• $15.6 million Year 7 building opened at Ashdale Secondary College

• Part of the State Government's $229.6 million Year 7 capital works program

Students at Ashdale Secondary College in Darch have started the school year in new facilities, including dedicated areas for visual and performing arts.

Education Minister Peter Collier officially opened the Year 7 building this morning.

"Ashdale Secondary College, which is led by 2014 WA Secondary School Leader of the Year Carol Strauss, is a world-class education facility," Mr Collier said.

"The school has more than 1,400 students this year, up from 1,059 last year.

"Year 7 students now learn more in-depth content in each subject and there are higher expectations placed on them in terms of the knowledge and skills they need to gain."

The new facilities include 15 general classrooms, an inclusive education classroom, science laboratory and storage area, sculpture studio, performing arts studio and performance space, staff study areas for 32 teachers, informal learning areas and landscaping.

The Minister said Ashdale Secondary College also had a partnership with Edith Cowan University for an Education Research Centre.

"The centre features two observation classrooms equipped with multiple cameras in which college staff, pre-service teachers and university students do research and professional learning in real classroom situations," he said.

       Fact File

• Bringing Year 7 public school students into secondary schools in WA is in line with the majority of other Australian States and Territories and most private schools in WA

• For more information, visit http://biggerpicture.education.wa.edu.au/

Minister's office - 6552 6300