New focus as Governor Stirling Senior High School marks 50 years

Education Minister Liz Constable today marked Governor Stirling Senior High School's 50th anniversary by announcing the new state-of-the-art facilities will allow for the provision of specialist engineering and arts/media programs.

Dr Constable said the educational and geographic context of Governor Stirling sees it uniquely placed to be one of the State's premier schools.

"The specialist programs will cater to the needs of both academically gifted and vocationally oriented students," she said.

"It will also provide a first rate education for all local students."

The $63million new school will also be the permanent home for the Swan District Primary Extension and Challenge program, giving gifted and talented primary-age students access to the excellent secondary facilities.

"Governor Stirling Senior High School is on the verge of an exciting new era," the Minister said.

"The school has a proud history and it now has a fantastic opportunity to build on its great traditions to become a flagship school for the eastern suburbs of Perth."

The school plans to build on existing links with Swan TAFE and local industries, and the opportunities created by the new Defence Industries National Partnership to increase the number of students graduating in engineering-related subjects

"This will be made possible by the new facilities which will include science, design and technology laboratories and high-level information technology infrastructure," Dr Constable said.

"The existing Gifted and Talented Education academic programs will also be expanded."

Architects Donaldson and Warn are currently developing designs for the new school, with demolition of the existing site set to begin in December 2010.

The Minister said students would be relocated to nearby school sites until the 2013 school year, when the rebuild was scheduled for completion.

"Students in junior secondary school will move to the former Midland Primary School site, while those in senior secondary school will be accommodated at Cyril Jackson Senior Campus in Ashfield," she said.

"Both sites are well-equipped to ensure there will be no disruption to students' education during the rebuilding process."