Premier Colin Barnett and Education Minister Peter Collier today officially opened the new $63million state-of-the-art Governor Stirling Senior High School on the banks of the Swan River in Woodbridge, heralding a new era for the school and public education in the eastern suburbs.
Mr Barnett said the Liberal National Government had fulfilled the pledge it made during the school's 50th anniversary celebrations in 2009 to undertake a major upgrade in order to provide the best education opportunities for public secondary school students.
"The new Governor Stirling Senior High School is a flagship government education facility that is poised to build on its proud traditions and become the leading public school in Perth's eastern suburbs," the Premier said.
"The total redevelopment of this school is yet another example of the State Government's commitment to delivering 21st century schools to benefit students and their families for generations to come. Since 2008, the Liberal National Government has made an unprecedented $1.4billion investment in school infrastructure in Western Australia and built 26 new schools."
Facilities at the new Governor Stirling Senior High School include a two-storey main building; food technology studio with commercial grade kitchen; dance and drama studio; library; cafe; basketball courts; and the single storey Maali Centre, which is dedicated to Aboriginal student learning.
Other new facilities include:
maths and information technology laboratories and resource centres
science and chemistry laboratories
design technology studios with mechatronics, technical graphics and woodwork studios
health and physical education sports hall.
Education Minister Peter Collier said the new cutting-edge facilities had facilitated two new Approved Specialist Programs - Engineering and ArtsMedia.
"These innovative programs provide students from the local area with a passion in these fields the opportunity to prepare for their future careers while still at school," Mr Collier said.
"Both programs involve strong partnerships between Governor Stirling Senior High School, business, industry and tertiary institutions which are working together to capitalise on vocational and trade-related education opportunities in Midland and surrounding areas."
The Minister said the school was ideally placed to cater for the needs of students who wish to pursue academic and vocational pathways.
"Generations of students will reap the benefits of a first-rate education in a modern learning environment," he said.
"The school can accommodate up to 1,000 students which means it is well placed to welcome year 7 students from 2015."
Fact File
Governor Stirling SHS currently has more than 600 students from years 8 to 12
During construction, the school operated on two sites with years 8, 9 and 10 at the former Midland Primary School and years 11 and 12 at Cyril Jackson Senior Campus
In addition to Approved Specialist Programs, the school also runs Gifted and Talented selective academic programs in mathematics, science and humanities
Through a sponsorship agreement with Leighton Contractors, scholarships and ready access to industry knowledge and opportunities for practical experience are promoted to students in the Approved Specialist Program in Engineering. The University of Western Australia provides academic and curriculum expertise
ArtsMedia program covers visual arts, photography, media studies and ICT multimedia and Perth-based creative industries including Murdoch University are involved
Since 2008, the Liberal National Government has made an unprecedented $1.4billion investment in school infrastructure with 26 schools built
Premier's office - 6552 5000
Education Minister's office - 6552 6300
