Paraburdoo students to transfer to Tom Price Senior High School

27/6/00
Paraburdoo District High School secondary students will transfer to Tom Price Senior High School from the start of 2001 to increase their range of educational opportunities.
Education Minister Colin Barnett said the decision to move Paraburdoo District High School's Year 8 -10 students to Tom Price Senior High School had been made after consultation with the local community.
"With the resources available at the bigger Tom Price school, local students will benefit from the move," Mr Barnett said.
"Former Paraburdoo students attending Tom Price Senior High School will have a wider range of subject choice and access to specialist staff and facilities.
"Paraburdoo Primary School students will have access to the full range of facilities formerly occupied by the district high school.
"This change was found to be the best option after many alternatives were thoroughly explored, including retaining Paraburdoo as a district high school.
"The decision is an outcome of the Local Area Education Planning process and will greatly enhance educational opportunities in the area."
Mr Barnett that in the last State Budget, approval was given for the construction of a sports hall at Tom Price Senior High School.
He said the Education Department was also having discussions with the Shire of Ashburton about the possibility of developing, with community partnership, a sports hall and performing arts facility.
All secondary students from Paraburdoo District High School would relocate to Tom Price Senior High - a distance of 85km which took about 60 minutes each way.
"The Education Department has discussed the travel plans with parents and is working, together with Transport, on ways to ensure the journey is safe and comfortable for the students," Mr Barnett said.
"The length of the journey will be far outweighed by the benefits of attending the bigger school."
Mr Barnett said there were 55 students in Years 8, 9 and 10 at Paraburdoo, with some students already choosing to travel to Tom Price for their secondary education.
He said that to help the transition of Paraburdoo students, Years 7, 8 and 9 students currently enrolled at Paraburdoo District High School would be eligible for a relocation allowance of $300 when they enrolled at Tom Price Senior High School.
Staff from both schools would manage the changes for students with the help of the Education Department.

Media contact: Diana Callander 9222 8699