Plans for $23M secondary college in Shenton Park unveiled

31/3/99
Significant input from local school communities, together with some innovative architectural designs, have resulted in exciting plans for the new $23 million secondary college in Shenton Park.
Unveiled last night by Education Minister Colin Barnett to the school communities of Swanbourne and Hollywood senior high schools, the plans show the senior college and middle schools on the 11.5ha site, with easily identifiable separate entrances and a mix of buildings, some of which will be shared between all students.
Mr Barnett said at the parent information evening he was pleased so many people had provided input into the design through architects James Christou and Partners.
In all, around 200 meetings with parents, students, staff, community groups and educationalists, had taken place over the past seven months.
Earthworks on the Lemnos Street site are scheduled to begin in May, with building to commence in August.
Mr Barnett said he was also pleased to be able to confirm the appointment of the college's principal, Mrs Pauline Coghlan, currently principal of Hollywood Senior High School.
He said Mrs Coghlan had handled the local area education planning project professionally over the past 18 months and he was confident her strong leadership of the new secondary school would create an innovative and enjoyable learning environment for 1,200 students and 100 staff.
"The college design is very creative and will provide students with the modern facilities and learning areas tailored to middle and senior schooling that they deserve," Mr Barnett said.
"Senior students will find the school environment more mature and adult, and conducive to exploring a range of academic and vocational programs as well as courses through the nearby University of WA.
"The middle school has been designed to suit middle schooling practices, such as teaching in core groups."
Features of the school's design include a number of courtyards off teaching areas for student workshop learning and the display of student work; lecture theatres to be used by both the senior and middle schools; common library, technology and arts areas; and the placement of similar subject areas together, such as performing arts and music to allow for interaction and collaboration between students.
"For the first time, the discipline of performing arts will be placed with design and technology so that, for example, when acting students need props for a performance they will be able to literally walk next door to work with design and technology students on their construction.
"As well, teachers' offices will be grouped together to allow staff to share teaching concepts which are common across subject areas."
Mr Barnett said a committee which had been formed to forge links between Shenton College and the University of Western Australia had already made considerable progress.
Initially, collaboration between the two institutions would focus on four key areas - enrichment for students; professional development and school management; community service and educational research.
"It is intended that in the future, students will be able to undertake units in UWA's undergraduate courses to contribute to their tertiary education," the Minister said.
Remnant bushland on the site, at the corner of Selby and Lemnos streets, will also be retained. The future use of heritage buildings is still being considered. However, it is expected the buildings will be used for functions that support the school.
Mr Barnett said the designs for the secondary college would be shown to Hollywood and Swanbourne students this morning before being put on public display at the schools.
Media contact: Justine Whittome, Minister's office, (08) 9222 9699
Inga Butefisch, Education Department of WA, (08) 9264 5348