New primary school to open in Atwell

7/2/97

Children in the new southern residential suburb of Atwell will be able to go to primary school in their local community from next year.

Education Minister Colin Barnett today announced that a new $3.5 million school would be built in Atwell to open early in 1998. At this stage, between 250 and 300 students, from pre-primary to year seven, are expected to begin at the school next year.

The decision follows months of discussion between Mr Barnett, the Education Department, the Atwell community and local Members of Parliament. Children in the area currently attend Jandakot Primary School.

Mr Barnett said that detailed planning would now begin to build the state-of-the-art new primary school. He said that construction would be fast-tracked to ensure the school would be completed as close to the start of the 1998 school year as possible.

"I am delighted to announce that a new school will be built for the Atwell community by early next year, after it was originally planned for the start of the 1999 school year," Mr Barnett said.

"It is through the efforts of the community, together with the assistance of the local Members of Parliament, Monica Holmes and Derrick Tomlinson, that the school will now be ready for next year.

"I commend everyone involved for working with the Education Department to achieve the best educational future for the local children."

Mr Barnett said that the new Atwell Primary School would be built on Lydon Boulevard and would have 12 classrooms and two pre-primary classrooms.

"Importantly, the school will also have fibre optic cabling throughout its buildings to allow access to computer facilities for all staff and students," Mr Barnett said.

"In keeping with the technological changes faced by primary school education at the threshold of the 21st century, students at Atwell Primary School will be able to work with computers from the start of their schooling."

In addition to the high-tech facilities, Atwell Primary School will also have a library/resource centre, a covered assembly area and canteen, an art/craft room and a music room.

Outdoor facilities will include a reticulated oval, practice cricket wickets and hard courts for other sports.

Mr Barnett said that the Education Department had called tenders for the appointment of architects to complete the design of the school, documentation and contract administration.

Media contact: Justine Whittome, (09) 222 9699.