One hundred years of history resonates for Perth Modern School's sharp students

The new group of year eight students who walked through the gates of Perth Modern School last week stepped into 100 years of history.

It is fitting that in 2011, the school's centenary year, every student from years eight to 12 has earned their place via a rigorous academic assessment.

This is an ethos which harks back to the school's beginnings in 1911 and 1912 when it pioneered a modern education and encouraged students of high academic ability to attend with a scholarship program.

Education Minister Liz Constable said since the school had returned to its roots as an academically selective institution, interest had been very high.

"This year, the whole school is fully academically selective with 948 students from years eight to 12," Dr Constable said.

Most of Perth Modern School's 2011 class of year 12 joined the school as year eight students in 2007 as the first group of academically selected students.

The Minister said Perth Modern School offered its students the opportunity to extend their learning through a range of extracurricular activities made possible through partnerships with The University of Western Australia and the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research.

"All students at Perth Modern School are part of the Department of Education's Gifted and Talented program and the curriculum is devised to develop their individual skills and abilities," she said.

Dr Constable said today's students were privileged to learn in the same institution which had educated a range of eminent Australians, including Western Australian Governor Dr Ken Michael - who is the school's patron, the late Kim Beazley Senior, businesswoman Janet Holmes a Court and renowned entertainer and artist Rolf Harris.

"I would like to thank outgoing principal Robyn White, who is retiring, for her contribution over the past years and welcome incoming principal Lois Joll, who began this year," she said.

Perth Modern School will today host a Centenary Gala Dinner for 155 guests, the first in a series of events throughout the year. For more information visit: http://www.perthmodernschool.det.wa.edu.au 

Minister's office  - 9222 9699