Karragullen Primary School to be closed at end of year

15/12/99
Karragullen Primary School will close at the end of this year and its students will amalgamate with students at Roleystone's primary and secondary Government schools from next year, giving them greater education opportunities and choices.

Education Minister Colin Barnett announced today he had endorsed the Local Area Education Planning (LAEP) recommendation to close Karragullen Primary School, after nine months of community-based discussion.
Mr Barnett said the move would increase curriculum choice for students, give them greater access to specialist teaching staff and also to additional educational resources, particularly information technology.
With enrolments falling at Karragullen Primary School over the past five years, from 91 students in 1995 to 29 students this year, educational opportunities were limited.
Mr Barnett acknowledged the efforts dedicated towards the LAEP process by staff and parents, and the strong support of the local school communities.
"Karragullen Primary School has had quite low enrolments for some time, particularly from children local to the area, and with such small student numbers, it's difficult to provide a wide range of learning environments and education opportunities that suit all ages," he said.
"For example, there were limited opportunities for Karragullen Primary School students of a similar age to interact with each other, so moving together on one site will increase this type of necessary social and educational interaction."
Mr Barnett said Karragullen students in kindergarten to year five next year would be able to attend Roleystone Primary School, while students in years six and seven would have an opportunity to attend Roleystone District High School which caters for students up to year 10.
As well, Karragullen Primary School parents would have a choice to send their children to other local primary schools including Lesmurdie, Kelmscott and Pickering Brook.
The principals of Karragullen and Roleystone primary schools, together with Roleystone District High School, would work with District Director
Keith Newton to assist the Karragullen students with their move to their new schools.
There would also be transport assistance available for students who lived more than 4.5km from their nearest school.
Parents of all students enrolled this year in kindergarten to year six at Karragullen Primary School would also receive a $200 relocation allowance to assist them with their child's enrolment at any other Government primary school next year.
Media contacts:
Minister's office, Justine Whittome, (08) 9222 9699
Education Department, Inga Butefisch, (08) 9264 5348