16/10/06
Housing and Works Minister Michelle Roberts has inspected works on the $5.65million Mindarie Senior College Stage Two construction project.
The project, managed by the Department of Housing and Works, will see more learning, administrative and sporting facilities added to Mindarie Senior College, which has a growing student population through its new links with the nearby Kinross College.
"The college will get a new stand-alone, double-storey building, linked to the existing school by a raised walkway, which will accommodate new classrooms, senior research areas, computer laboratories, seminar rooms and administrative facilities," Mrs Roberts said.
"The project also includes construction of a new hockey field and the covering of the college's existing basketball court."
Mindarie Senior College was opened in 2003 and was one of the first solely post-compulsory schools with a specific purpose of catering for high school years 11 and 12 only.
Its design has been lauded internationally.
"Mindarie Senior College was one of six Australian schools featured among 65 of the world's best designs featured in the 2006 OECD Compendium of Exemplary Educational Facilities, released in July," Mrs Roberts said.
"The compendium examined how the design, use and management of physical infrastructure can contribute to the quality of education.
"Mindarie Senior College is a stand-out example of this.
"The building is designed as a mature learning environment where all areas promote educational and social interaction.
"Rather than individualised teaching blocks for specific learning areas separated by courtyards and walkways, there's a single building envelope.
"All the learning areas relate directly to each other and are held together by generous circulation spaces and a central atrium and courtyard."
Architects Donaldson and Warn, who designed the first stage of the college, are also the consultant for the second stage of the works.
The project is due to be completed by the end of February 2007.
Minister's office - 9213 6600
