Kalgoorlie's new senior high school to co-locate with Curtin University's Kalgoorlie campus

2/3/00
Goldfields students will have access to some of the best secondary education facilities and programs in the State with changes to local high schools set to be in place for 2001.
Education Minister Colin Barnett announced today, after much consideration, that he had chosen the option to co-locate Kalgoorlie's new senior school with Curtin University's Kalgoorlie campus.
Mr Barnett said the campus would undergo a $2.8 million to $3 million upgrade to cater for secondary students and the rest of the $12 million budget would be spent converting and upgrading Eastern Goldfields Senior High School exclusively for middle schooling.
"I have looked very closely at both options and I firmly believe the opportunity to have our senior students share facilities with Curtin University is just too good to pass up," the Minister said.
"The advantages of having our students share Curtin's advanced facilities and the expertise of the university's staff are excellent.
"This option will also allow us to spend far more on the upgrade of Eastern Goldfields to transform it into a modern middle school environment for Year 8-10 students.
"It also raises the standard of secondary education in the Goldfields to a superb level and encourages further training and study through the development of a mature learning environment."
Mr Barnett said secondary students would have access to Curtin's performing arts centre, lecture theatres, science laboratories, hospitality facilities, design and technology and general learning spaces.
He said students would also be able to use the campus library, including having after hours use.

The decision to co-locate follows weeks of meetings between the Minister, Education Department officials and the local community to discuss the two options.
The alternative was to build a new senior campus on the Eastern Goldfields Senior High School site and carry out only a minor upgrade of the existing school to facilitate middle schooling practices.
"I am sure that, when the building and refurbishment program is complete, they will see the tremendous advantages co-location of the senior campus and a major upgrade for middle schooling has afforded."
Mr Barnett said the new, modern facilities at the middle school would now be better than had been planned in the former upgrade. It would be more suitable to the needs of Years 8-10 students.
"This even better new middle school will help us look after the very special needs of adolescent students as they transfer from primary school to high school," he said.
Mr Barnett said the work would include:

• a major upgrade of existing design and technology areas;
• extension and upgrade of the gymnasium and change-rooms to bring them to an international standard;
• redesign of the existing school to accommodate middle schooling practices; and -
• a drama facility, administration block, resource centre, Student Services, canteen and Education Support Centre.

Mr Barnett said the refurbishment would begin immediately and be finished by the start of the 2001 school year.
The amount allocated to an upgrade of the Curtin University campus would go to constructing new science laboratories, general classrooms and seminar areas and refurbishing some existing facilities. Construction on the corner of Cassidy and Cheetham Streets is expected to start in August 2000.
"The renovations and additions will ensure senior students are also operating in fantastic new facilities," Mr Barnett said.
He said the co-location would allow students to share not only facilities but also technology and education practices with university students.
"We expect senior students will have the chance to take part in university level courses through Curtin," the Minister said.
"The details have to be decided but that's certainly one of the attractions of being located on the same site as Curtin."
Mr Barnett said he appreciated the huge amount of very constructive input the local community had had in the process of deciding the future of secondary education in the area.
"The input of parents, students and the wider community has contributed to improved educational outcomes for current and future students in the Goldfields region," he said.
"It was particularly encouraging to see how a community could come together to discuss what was an 11th hour proposition.
"The patience and commitment shown by all was very much appreciated.

"I encourage the whole community to support the decision and be involved in seeing it turned into reality.
"This decision maintains the outcomes the community has supported all along - for a new senior college and a separate but upgraded middle school in Kalgoorlie."
A senior administrator from Eastern Goldfields Senior High School will be employed to supervise the project and ensure the community is kept informed of progress.
Media contacts: Minister's office, Diana Callander, 9222 9699
Education Department, Inga Butefisch, 9264 5348