State Government announces upgrades for Girrawheen Primary

1/11/07
A new undercover area, including sports and uniform stores and a canteen, will be built at Girrawheen Primary School as part of a major upgrade.
Education and Training Minister Mark McGowan said that in addition to the undercover area, the school would also receive $2million worth of new facilities including art/craft rooms, kindergarten classrooms, four general classrooms, toilets and a storage area.
"These new facilities, which are scheduled to be ready in early 2009, will be an enormous boost for the school community," he said.
"The undercover area will provide space for a range of physical education, drama and dance programs, as well as protection from the elements.
"It will also provide an outstanding venue for whole-of-school events such as assemblies and graduation ceremonies."
Girrawheen MLA Margaret Quirk said T & Z Architects and Planners had been appointed as consultants to work with representatives from Girrawheen Primary School and Blackmore Primary School to develop the design.
"The Girrawheen Primary School upgrade is part of the State Government's commitment to provide better educational facilities for all young Western Australians," Ms Quirk said.
The Minister said the Carpenter Government was spending more than $1billion on capital works projects at existing schools across the State, including a massive $103million on education infrastructure in the northern suburbs.
"Thanks to the efforts of local members such as Margaret Quirk, there is a comprehensive plan for improvements to educational facilities in the northern corridor," Mr McGowan said.
"The Carpenter Government plans to establish seven new schools and upgrade four schools in the northern suburbs in 2008 and 2009. This is on top of the 12 new schools we have already opened in the northern corridor over the past six years."
The Minister said some schools were being amalgamated because they had outdated facilities with decreasing student populations.
"The newly amalgamated schools will have viable student populations, meaning a wider range of course content will be available," he said.
"The Carpenter Government's plan is in stark contrast to the scaremongering by the Federal Liberal candidate.
"It is nothing short of shameful to use the educational facilities of the area as a political football on the eve of a Federal election.
"The Carpenter Government has done more for education in the northern suburbs than any Government in the history of the State."
Minister's office - 9222 9111