New sense of unity at North Morley Primary School as kindergarten moves in

Children at North Morley Primary School will learn on the same site from kindergarten to year 7 following a $280,000 refurbishment of facilities.

Education Minister Liz Constable said kindergarten students had been taught at an off-site building for about 30 years but the decision to re-locate to the Gordon Road West school was already proving a success.

"Starting school can be a daunting experience for young children so it can make a big difference if they are already familiar with other staff and students and comfortable in their surroundings," Dr Constable said.

"The school identified the potential benefits to students of moving the kindergarten to the main school site, so existing classrooms have been upgraded to become early childhood learning facilities and these were first occupied in May."

Designed by Parry and Whyte Architects and built by CPD Group, the new facilities include a veranda leading to an enclosed play area with covered sand pit; kitchen and food preparation area; toilets and a wash basin; and gas heating.

"It's great to have all students together on one site as we can focus more strongly on providing early intervention and early learning, making it easier to assess whether a child is on track and to put resources in place to meet each child's particular needs," North Morley Primary School principal Lisa Gibson said.

"Kindergarten children are now a lot more involved in programs with older students, kindergarten and pre-primary staff can work together more easily, and we're having much greater contact with parents."

The Minister said the State Government had allocated $578million for capital improvements and works to public schools around Western Australia over the 2011-12 financial year.

"The State Government is committed to providing quality school environments for Western Australia's public school students," she said.

Minister's office - 9222 9699