School goes back with record numbers

• Estimated 287,000 students from kindergarten to year 12 attend public schools today

• Seven new public schools opening today for the first time

• Teacher numbers maintained at 2013 levels

A record 287,000 students are expected to attend Western Australian public schools today as the 2014 school year gets under way.

Education Minister Peter Collier said there were no teacher vacancies at public schools on day one of school.

"I'm pleased to announce there will be a teacher in front of every classroom and we are maintaining teacher numbers at the same level as last year," Mr Collier said.

"The Department of Education has also offered jobs to about 650 graduate teachers; 200 more than at the start of school last year.

"This is the largest group of graduate teachers to be starting work on day one of school in a decade."

The Minister marked the first day of school by officially opening the State's newest secondary school, Byford Secondary College.

The $35.2million college opened as an Independent Public School with more than 170 year 8 students.

By 2019, Byford Secondary College is expected to grow to about 1,400 students from years 7 to 12, including about 70 students with special educational needs.

Mr Collier said the college was just one of seven new public schools opening for the first time today.

"The State Government is investing $538million on major education capital works projects in 2014 to deal with our strong population growth," he said.

"Across both public and private schools this year, I'm expecting to see student growth of about 2.8 per cent compared to last year."

An estimated 143,900 private school students will also go back to school this week.

The Minister said Byford Secondary College provided a good example of how schools were changing to reflect the demands of the modern world.

"Instead of the students arriving this morning with backpacks full of heavy books for the year, each student has an iPad provided by their parents," he said.

"The school has fully integrated connectivity and e-learning with wireless internet and interactive displays in classrooms that are paired to student devices and eBooks texts.

"An eLibrary is being created and will be available to students 24/7 to complement the traditional library facilities."

Much of the initial communication and consultation with parents and the wider community to set up the school was through social media.

"From enrolment information to selecting the logo and uniform, social media has played its part in supporting the foundation principal, Trevor Hunter and his staff in shaping the direction of the college," the Minister said.

         Fact File

• Final student enrolment numbers are confirmed through a student census in February each year

• 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 ($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

• First stage of Byford Secondary College includes eight buildings with classrooms, workshops for design and technology, science laboratories, studios for food and textile subjects and a cafeteria

• Second stage of Byford Secondary College with facilities for 70 students with special educational needs and accommodation for a further 400 mainstream students will be completed for the 2017 school year

Minister's office - 6552 6300