Work starts on co-located TAFE campus and senior college in Mandurah

28/5/99
Work on the new state-of-the-art education and training centre in Mandurah for secondary and tertiary students - the State's first co-located TAFE campus and senior college - has begun.

Education Minister Colin Barnett and Employment and Training Minister Graham Kierath today unveiled the final architectural plans to student, staff and parent representatives for the $24.5 million campus, a joint project between the Education Department of WA and Department of Training.
The State Government gave its commitment to develop the campus in June last year, following successful discussions as part of the Education Department's local area education planning framework.

To open in January 2001, the unique project will feature a specially-designed $17 million senior campus for years 11 and 12 students in the Peel region and a $7.5 million facility for TAFE students.
Education Minister Colin Barnett said the senior campus would cater initially for around 800 students in years 11 and 12. The senior campus would be supported by three middle schools in the Peel region from 2001 - Coodanup, Halls Head and Mandurah middle schools.
"Students will have an opportunity to study a range of subject choices and vocational education courses, and also have access to participate in some of the programs run by TAFE to assist in their secondary graduation," Mr Barnett said.
"It is also expected students will have an opportunity to participate in university level courses through Murdoch University."
The new senior campus will include performing arts and visual arts facilities, an auditorium, media unit, science laboratories, food and textile technology area, 13 general learning areas, staff facilities and an education support centre.
Employment and Training Minister Graham Kierath said that by 2001 around 2,000 students would be able to enrol either full-time or part-time at the new Peel site, which was a campus of the South Metropolitan College of TAFE.
Students would be able to study horticulture, hospitality, retail, pre-apprenticeship courses and several skills enhancement courses to prepare for a return to the workforce.
Mr Kierath said work on the TAFE site would see the development of further general learning areas, computer laboratories and staff facilities, and the refurbishment of some existing buildings.
"The design of the project showed individual facilities for both TAFE and the senior college, as well as some shared buildings, including the library resource centre, workshops, a cafeteria, student service facilities, an administration centre and landscaped recreation areas," he said.
"It's expected that the campus will be extended in the future, with new buildings to come into use by 2005."
Mr Barnett said he was also pleased to be able to confirm the appointment of the senior college's principal, Mr Max Polglaze, currently the principal of Coodanup Senior High School.
"Mr Polglaze is an excellent choice to lead this new innovative senior college, having considerable experience in helping to implement exciting new educational concepts, including the development of the successful Geraldton Secondary College," the Minister said.
Both Ministers acknowledged their respective groups for their involvement in the planning and consultation process that led to the unique co-location concept.
"This concept allows the campus to be fast-tracked for the benefit of upper school and post secondary students and provide a far greater range of student and community amenities than would normally be possible," Mr Barnett said.
He said the unique partnership provided year 11 and 12 students with an opportunity to study in a modern learning environment, tailored to suit the needs of students in the community and the ever-changing needs of education as it headed into the 21st century.
"This senior campus and the development of the three middle schools is a very exciting step forward for education in Peel and students will have the benefit of being able to plan their post-secondary education, if they so choose, with the on-site presence of TAFE and eventually Murdoch University," the Minister said.
"Education will be structured so as to provide clear education pathways for students, and allowing them the opportunity, while they are still in secondary school, to explore the range of further learning options to help them decide their futures."
The buildings have been designed by Jones Coulter Young in association with Spowers Architects. Both are experienced in TAFE and Education Department of WA projects.
Media contacts:
Justine Whittome, Minister Barnett, (08) 9222 9699,
Steve Manchee, Minister Kierath, (08) 9213 6400,
Inga Butefisch, Education Department of WA, (08) 9264 5348,
Michelle Bevan, Department of Training, (08) 9235 6021