Two Kambalda schools amalgamated to form new district high school

30/4/99
Two of Kambalda's education facilities will join together from next year to provide a new district high school in the Goldfields town.
In Kambalda today, Education Minister Colin Barnett announced that the existing Kambalda High School and the adjacent West Kambalda Primary School on Salmon Gum Road would amalgamate to form a district high school for students from kindergarten to year 10.
The current Kambalda Primary School on Larkin Street will continue as a separate primary school, while the new district high school will continue to offer industry-based vocational education programs for year 11 students.
Mr Barnett said the decision to amalgamate the two schools was made after productive discussions with local school communities under the local area education planning (LAEP) process.
"Families in Kambalda have clearly expressed their desire to amalgamate the high school and West Kambalda primary but still retain Kambalda Primary School as a separate school," he said.
"When the amalgamated school opens next year, it is expected to have around 500 students and 40 teaching and non-teaching staff.
"The school will have a single administration under the leadership of one principal and teaching resources, particularly in specialist areas such as music and drama and languages other than English, will be spread across the entire school population.
"Under the one administration, primary school students will enjoy a smoother transition into their high school years because of the continuity of educational programs between the primary and secondary years and of course, the older students will be mentors for the younger students."
Mr Barnett commended the community on its collaboration with the Education Department of WA throughout the LAEP drafting and consultative phases.
He said feedback clearly indicated that the community understood the issues and had a preference for the option of a district high school.
"I encourage the school communities to continue to be involved as the transition from two separate schools into one district high school takes shape under the guidance of Goldfields education district director Neil Milligan," the Minister said.
Media contact: Justine Whittome, (08) 9222 9699