Atwell community welcomes opening of state-of-the-art college

Education Minister Liz Constable today officially opened the new $37.6million state-of-the-art Atwell College.

The new college caters for mainstream students from Years Seven to Nine and high needs education support students in the college's Kim Beazley Learning Community.

Dr Constable said Atwell College was Western Australia's first fully inclusive secondary school for both mainstream students and those with disabilities.

"This wonderful education facility is the culmination of the vision of the community and the active support of many, including the Atwell Community Association," she said.

"The facilities allow a full range of support services to be specifically tailored to the individual needs of students. The college's modern design and facilities enable development of a close community feel with the focus on the central piazza area and a strong arts influence.

"The community's influence is obvious - the active support of parents from the very early planning stages continues as the college grows."

Atwell College first opened its doors in February 2008 with mainstream enrolments in Years Seven, Eight and Nine, and enrolments in Years Seven to 13 for students with disabilities from the now closed Kim Beazley School in White Gum Valley.

The college was designed by architects Jones Coulter Young, built by Pindan Construction and features:

·             specialist hub building with therapy pool for special-needs students

·             lifeskills rooms with intensive learning spaces

·             Year Seven and Eight learning communities with inclusive classrooms

·             two-storey senior learning community with specialist services including science, design and technology, art and food technology

·             performing arts centre, including music and media

·             playing fields for soccer and hockey.