City Beach High School set to close

12/10/05
Falling student enrolments have forced the closure of City Beach High School at the end of the 2005 school year.
Education and Training Minister Ljiljanna Ravlich said City Beach High School had problems attracting enough students from its local area.
"The small numbers of students, few of whom are from the surrounding suburbs, have limited access to subject choices and specialist staff," Ms Ravlich said.
"The declining enrolments at the school are at a point where the students' education could be adversely affected.
"The students will benefit by attending a larger school as they will have greater educational choices and better social opportunities."
The Minister said the students would be guaranteed enrolment at Churchlands Senior High School, Shenton College or schools in their local areas.
"In 2005, enrolments at City Beach High School included 17 Year Eight students, 28 Year Nine students and 42 Year 10 students, making it the only high school in the State with fewer than 90 students," she said.
"It was expected the school would have 300 students, but enrolments have never exceeded 200 and only in two years have they risen above 150."
Ms Ravlich said the innovations at the school in the areas of middle schooling and boys' education would easily transfer to any school and have already been adopted by many in Western Australia.
A relocation allowance of $350 per student is available to the parents of children enrolled in Years Eight and Nine at the school at the end of the year. Parents must re-enrol their children at another public school for the start of 2006 to qualify.
All permanent teaching staff will receive placements in other jobs and non-teaching staff will have redeployed status.
The Minister said the department was considering the most effective future use of the site.
Minister's office: 9213 6800