Kewdale Senior High School will be purchased by the Australian Islamic College

20/9/99
Kewdale Senior High School will be purchased by the Australian Islamic College and remain an educational facility following the closure of the school at the end of this year.
Education Minister Colin Barnett said today the school would be sold to the college for $6.5 million.
"The site was strongly sought after by developers and non-Government education providers with 16 organisations listed in the initial expression of interest and eight taking part in the final bidding stage," he said.
He said the college had presented the Education Department of Western Australia (EDWA) with an excellent offer which ensured the site continued as an educational facility and allowed access to the school's recreational facilities for school students and the Kewdale community.
"The administrators of the Islamic school have already expressed a strong desire to develop links with the local community and allow local people to use some of the school's excellent facilities," Mr Barnett said.
"I will be meeting with the City of Belmont, community representatives and the college to discuss the college's contribution to the local community."
Mr Barnett said it was important to note that students currently at Kewdale Senior High School would not be affected by the decision to sell the site.
"When the school closes at the end of this year most of its 140 students will transfer to Belmont City College, which is undergoing a $4.3 million upgrade ready for the start of the 2000 school year," he said.
The proposal to close the school was made after a Local Area Education Planning process showed that the Belmont-Kewdale district could not sustain two Government secondary schools.
From a series of options and in consultation with the school communities, it was decided that the best option for secondary education in the area was to provide one modern school with state-of-the-art facilities.
The upgraded Belmont City College includes a new purpose-built senior campus for Year 11 and 12 students.
Mr Barnett said Kewdale Senior High School had served the local community well and he appreciated community concerns about the closure of the school and the possible loss of access to its recreational facilities.
"However, I am confident the Australian Islamic College will be a positive addition to the local community, particularly as the site will be retained for education and the community will be able to have access to the school's gymnasium-performing arts centre and other facilities.
"Also, I know the new Belmont City College will provide a dynamic and innovative learning environment for local secondary students."
Mr Barnett said proceeds from the sale of the site would remain within the WA Government education system. The majority would be used to fund improvements to the Belmont City College.

Media contact: Caroline Lacy, 92229699
EDWA: Inga Butefisch, 9264 5348