Work on first stage of Clarkson Senior High School (Ocean Reef) under way

15/8/95

Work has started on the $11.5 million first stage of the new Clarkson Senior High School, which will serve one of Perth's fastest-growing northern areas.

Education Minister Norman Moore today said tenders for building operations were due to be called before Christmas, and the school completed for the start of the 1997 school year.

"The enormous growth in the northern corridor of Perth has made it necessary for the Government to make a major financial commitment to provide state-of-the-art educational facilities to meet the needs of the large influx of children in the area," Mr Moore said.

"The new school will take pressure off Ocean Reef Senior High School, at present the most northerly of the metropolitan high schools.

"Without the new Clarkson school, Ocean Reef was projected to have almost 2,400 students by 1998.

"The school will receive students from five surrounding primary schools - Merriwa, Mindarie, Clarkson, Quinns Rocks and Kinross."

Mr Moore said contractor Ertech Pty Limited had started earthworks on the site, which was bounded by Walyunga Boulevard to the north, Hannaford Avenue to the east and the proposed Connolly Drive to the west.

The school has been designed by architects Hobbs Winning Australia, in consultation with officers of the Education Department and the Building Management Authority.

At a ceremony at the site today to mark the commencement of the project, the Minister planted a native Tuart tree at the edge of small grove of remnant coastal Tuart forest.

Mr Moore said he was particularly pleased that the grove of trees had been retained in the planning of the school grounds.

"It is an important reminder of the natural heritage of the Quinns and Clarkson area," he said. 

"It also provides a potential link between local environmental interests and the school community."

The school's playing fields and buildings will be constructed around this natural feature.

The Minister today also announced the appointment of the school's inaugural principal, Ms Robyn White, who will oversee the development of the school during the next 18 months.

Ms White was formerly deputy-principal at Hamilton Hill Senior High School.

Mr Moore said Ms White was currently planning the establishment of the school's interim council and for the first intake of up to 200 Year 8 students to an off-site campus at Craigie Senior High School in January next year (1996).

"At the commencement of 1997 these students - who will then be in Year 9 - will move into the new school to be joined by the next Year 8 intake," the Minister said.

He said stage one of the new high school would include general teaching areas, a science block, library, gymnasium, a tiered auditorium and canteen and a technology and materials block, incorporating textile and food technology areas, as well as computer and graphics laboratories.

Sporting facilities including hardcourts, a hockey field, oval and cricket practice nets would all be provided by the start of 1997.

Media contact: Anabel Gomez 321 1444