Halls Head Primary School officially opened

12/12/96

Education Minister Colin Barnett today officially opened Halls Head Primary School in Mandurah.

Established at the beginning of 1995 with 280 primary and 40 part-time pre-primary students, the school was developed to relieve enrolment pressure on the nearby Glencoe School.

Mr Barnett said that enrolments had increased gradually to 352 primary and 52 pre-primary students this year, and with Mandurah one of the fastest-developing areas in Western Australia, the growth of the school was expected to continue steadily.

"Next year there will be two pre-primary classrooms offering full-time programs, compared with one providing sessional classes this year, and if enrolments continue to increase a third pre-primary class may be required," he said.

The Minister said a special feature of the school was the enthusiastic support of parents.

"It is thanks to the commitment of parents that Halls Head has a strong school spirit after just two years," he said.

"It began with the establishment of a parent steering committee in July 1994, which took responsibility for fund-raising, establishment of uniforms, school colours, motto, logo and the initial school education priorities.

"It is vital to the success of a school and its programs that the staff are supported by the parents and the community.

"When parents and teachers work as partners in the education of children, you see excellent results like those achieved at Halls Head."

Mr Barnett said that through parent input and support, staff had established excellent physical education, music, art and computer specialist programs.

Teachers had also launched a runners' club, annual 'Speak Up Awards', lunch-time computer activities and a choir.

"They also have not forgotten that small group of children who sometimes have problems at school. An active committee is dedicated to the identification of students at risk and plans are well under way for support programs for these children in 1997," Mr Barnett said.

"This is clearly a school community that cares about its students."

The Minister said the school was built at a cost of $3.6 million to the superior standards of schools at the threshold of the 21st century.

It has a covered assembly area, library resource centre, art craft room, and music room as standard facilities, along with its 12 classrooms and administration area.

Media contact: Justine Whittome (09) 222 9699