Nearly $4M to be spent rebuilding Churchlands Snr High School

11/9/97

Nearly $4 million will be spent rebuilding Churchlands Senior High School, the scene of a senseless arson attack earlier this year.

Education Minister Colin Barnett said today that $3.99 million would be spent on rebuilding the parts of the school damaged in the blaze. In addition, a further $1.5 million would be spent on improvements and additions in other parts of the school. This money had previously been allocated but work was delayed after the arson attack.

Mr Barnett said Churchlands Senior High School was integral to the future of education in the western suburbs region. Staff, students and the school community had had to work in alternative temporary accommodation since the fire in May, which damaged 10 classrooms and 30 other rooms, including administration facilities.

The Minister said architects would be appointed by the end of September and would work with the school community on plans to rebuild the rooms affected by the fire and manage the rebuilding program.

The Churchlands fire had been the most costly blaze at a Government school in Western Australia.

"The fire has been particularly disruptive to students, staff and parents, but to their credit, they have made the best of a difficult situation and got on with the job of educating their students," Mr Barnett said.

"While the fire was tragic, the rebuilding process will now provide the whole school community, including students, staff and parents, with the opportunity to plan facilities that suit today's teaching needs.

"When the rebuilding program gets under way, work will also begin on $1.5 million of upgrade work in other areas of the school, which was planned previously, but delayed because of the fire damage. This work will include improvements to design and technology, home economics, theatre arts, and media and photography buildings."

Works Minister Mike Board said that following the fire, the Department of Contract and Management Services (CAMS) commissioned architects to secure the area and assess the extent of the damage.

"The architects have found that the existing concrete structure of the area affected by the fire was undamaged and could be re-used as the basis of the building program," Mr Board said.

"Because of the building materials used during the 1960s when Churchlands was built, the school was prone to fire spreading quickly throughout its ceiling.

"The repairs will take into consideration discussions between the Education Department and the Fire and Rescue Service on how to design the new work so that the risk of this type of fire tragedy can be minimised."

Mr Barnett also congratulated schools, business and the local community on their efforts to raise $80,000 so far for the Churchlands Fire Fund.

"Both Government and non-Government schools in the area have contributed money from their P&C Associations and fundraising efforts and local businesses and members of the general community have dug into their pockets to contribute to the school," he said.

"This is a terrific effort and just goes to show that in times of tragedy, whole communities get together to help one another out. Everyone who has contributed deserves congratulations."

Mr Barnett added that the Education and Police Departments were also discussing extra school security initiatives which he hoped could be announced in the next month.

Media contacts: Justine Whittome, Minister Barnett, (08) 9222 9699

Peter Harris, Minister Board, (08) 9222 9211