Mid-West families welcome new school

• New primary school opens in Geraldton

• School design provides increased sustainability

Geraldton's newest school has opened in time for day one of the start of the new school year.

A music room and classrooms with the latest technology are just some of the brand new facilities for students starting at Wandina Primary School.

The $8million state-of-the-art school in Geraldton opened with 175 students in kindergarten to year 3.

Education Minister Peter Collier said it was one of seven new public schools opening today, with the State Government investing $538million on major education capital works projects in 2014 to deal with the State's strong population growth.

Mr Collier said Wandina Primary School would offer students an advanced learning environment.

"Wandina, in Geraldton's southern suburbs, has a growing population and families will benefit from the school's latest technology and design," he said.

"The school's motto 'Inspiring Excellence Together' will certainly ring true as the facilities provide the best opportunities for excellence."

In order to improve the school's energy efficiency, skylights have been installed in classrooms to eliminate the need for lights to be switched on all day and sensors will switch them off when there is sufficient light.

The school also has a strong focus on literacy and numeracy, music and the arts. The facilities include three early childhood classrooms, six general classrooms, a covered assembly area, music room, canteen, play areas and parking.

Work on the oval, hard courts and landscaping is expected to be completed by the end of Term 1, with year 4 students accepted from 2015. 

Wandina Primary School will cater for kindergarten to year 6 by 2017.

Fact File

• New public schools open today:  Byford Secondary College (Stage 1, $35.2million); Hammond Park Primary School ($15million); John Butler Primary College, North Butler ($29.5million); Lakelands Primary School (Stage 1, $5.2million); Treendale Primary School, South-West ($15.5million); Yanchep Beach Primary School ($14million); and Wandina Primary School, Mid-West ($8million)

• 75 major education capital works projects are expected to be finished during 2014, worth $538million

Minister's office - 6552 6300