New school year opened at Ranford Primary School, Canning Vale

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Nearly 374,000 students are expected to attend school this year in more than 1050 Government and non-Government schools. Almost 270,000 will attend Government schools from today, while almost 104,000 will start at non-Government schools this week.
Education Minister Colin Barnett opened the new school year at Ranford Primary School in Canning Vale, where 80 four-year-olds will be going to school for the first time.
They will join 20,500 other children at Government primary schools around the State starting kindergarten programs this year.
"This is the last year before the school entry age cut-off date changes from December 31 to June 30," Mr Barnett said.
"Parents need to be aware that from next year, only children who have their fourth birthday in the first half of the year will be able to start kindergarten. Children who turn four in the second half of the year will start kindergarten programs in 2002."
Several major building programs in secondary schools have been completed for the start of the 2000 school year.
Mr Barnett said major works had been completed at Perth Modern Senior High School - at a cost of $1.6 million. The school now had new ballet and music facilities, along with improvements to complement the recent upgrading of the school.
Rebuilding and upgrading work costing $10.4 million at Churchlands Senior High School is expected to be completed in a few weeks.
During the summer holidays, Yule Brook College (formerly Maddington Senior High School) was refurbished at a cost of $1 million and becomes a middle school catering for Years 8 to 10.
Belmont Senior High School is undergoing a $4.3 million refurbishment program, and through the amalgamation with Kewdale Senior High School, becomes Belmont City College catering for approximately 1,100 students. The work should be completed by the end of February.
"It's very exciting to start seeing the outcomes of local area planning in our high schools," Mr Barnett said.
He said that the implementation of the Curriculum Framework in schools throughout the State was proceeding well and significant progress had been made.
By 2004 the Framework would guide the learning programs of all students in all schools.
"Parents will receive a booklet on the Curriculum Framework through their children's school this week," Mr Barnett said.
"The booklet will provide important information to parents, as many schools are now reporting children's progress in terms of the learning outcomes they are achieving."
The Minister said the booklet described the key changes to teaching and learning parents could look for in schools and how they could become more involved in their children's education.
Media contact: Mike Groves 9222 9699