Restructure of secondary schools in Scarborough and Carine areas

24/6/98

The quality and choice of education for students from the Scarborough and Carine areas is set to improve with a restructure of secondary schools and commitment to new modern facilities.

Education Minister Colin Barnett today announced that the State Government would inject $2 million into a first class performing arts facility, modern technology network and general upgrade at Carine Senior High School which would be completed by the end of next year.

Mr Barnett said that Scarborough Senior High School would close and students would have a choice of a variety of school environments in the western suburbs to which to send their children.

In recognition of the value of some of the school's facilities to the community, however, some of the buildings and facilities on the site would be retained for general community use, such as the gymnasium, swimming pool and an area of public open space.

Mr Barnett acknowledged the small environment of Scarborough SHS was appreciated by some parents and students. However, low enrolments numbers - 340 students in a school built for 1000 students - constricted the number of programs able to be offered to students.

This situation had seen resources redirected away from the lower secondary years to support upper school classes. However, these students had often had to learn in less than ideal situations, including combined classes.

Mr Barnett said a wider choice of quality educational programs could be offered to students at other schools in the area while maintaining good support facilities to assist them integrate into their new environments.

Many Scarborough SHS students were expected to attend either Carine or Churchlands senior high schools, with the expected increase in enrolments to stimulate a further enhancement of the post-compulsory curriculum at Carine, particularly in the area of vocational education.

"The changes to education involving Scarborough and Carine senior high school students will allow them all to participate in the quality and choice of education they deserve," Mr Barnett said.

"The facilities at Carine will be substantially improved to benefit all students and a wider variety of academic, extra curricular and special programs will be made available.

"It is planned that Scarborough Senior High School will close at the end of next year. The District Director (Schools) will begin work immediately with the school to determine the timing of transition for the Scarborough students."

Mr Barnett said with the focus on secondary education now set for the two schools, the District Directors (Schools), Jan Little and David Carvosso would begin wide community consultation on details of implementing the decisions.

The following will take place:

·         the current Scarborough SHS will remain open until the end of 1999, or may close at the end of this year depending on community consultation;

·         Scarborough SHS students will be able to enrol at any school in the western suburbs;

·         if Scarborough SHS remains open until the end of 1999, it will not enrol year 11 or year 8 students next year (current year 10 and year 7 students) who instead can enrol at a school of their choice in the western suburbs;

·         Aboriginal students at Scarborough will have a choice of school and will continue to be supported by specialised programs;

·         $2 million will be invested in Carine SHS with work to be completed by the end of 1999; and -

·         the Fast Track program will move to an off-site centre. Existing staff associated with the program will remain with the program when it is relocated.

Mr Barnett said Carine SHS was believed to be near its peak student enrolment and was expected to have approximately 1,458 students in 2000, compared to a current enrolment of 1,424 students.

"Students from Scarborough will be supported throughout their transition to other schools and parents will be able to choose from a variety of schools, each with their own characteristics, to suit their children's needs," he said.

"I am confident that the general community will support the retention of some of the most valuable assets on the Scarborough site."

Mr Barnett said the Local Area Education Planning process had encouraged many positive and constructive ideas from schools and the wider community to be discussed and considered. There would now be a two-month implementation planning period, including wide consultation with school communities, to develop strategies to manage the changes.

"The amount of time and effort given by students, parents, schools and the general community to the process is admirable and I thank everyone for their contribution," Mr Barnett said.

" I would also like to particularly acknowledge and thank the District Directors Schools, Jan Little and David Carvosso, for their tireless efforts in managing the process for the Education Department at the local level.

"It is through such dedication from everyone involved that we have been able to announce such exciting outcomes for the future of secondary education in this area. I encourage the whole community to support the decisions and be involved in seeing them turn into reality."

Media contacts: Justine Whittome, Office of the Minister for Education, (08) 9222 9699

John Clune, Education Department of WA, (08) 9264 5111

Jan Little, District Director (Schools), (08) 9400 3300