4/7/03
Hope Valley Primary School will close at the end of the 2003 school year.
Education and Training Minister Alan Carpenter today said recent uncertainty over plans for the area had led to a negative impact on enrolments and planning at the school.
"The public consultation the district office conducted sent a clear message that there was an urgent need to make an decision about when Hope Valley Primary was to close," Mr Carpenter said.
"Making this decision now and closing the school at the end of the year will allow parents time - and provide them with the support - to ensure a continuity of education for their children.
"It will also give the community the chance to acknowledge and celebrate the positive work of the school while there are still a significant number of students, staff and parents to make this worthwhile."
Local member Norm Marlborough said the school had a proud history in the area.
"I congratulate the principal, Rob Briggs, and his staff for their invaluable contribution to the education of the students at Hope Valley," Mr Marlborough said.
"I look forward to working with the school over the remainder of the year and to assisting staff and students where possible as the school closure draws nearer."
Mr Carpenter said the District Education Office would work with parents who moved to other areas once their house leases had expired, to find the best educational options for their children.
"Any remaining local students will be able to be accommodated by schools in surrounding suburbs," he said.
"The transport needs of students, especially those now travelling to Hope Valley by bus, will be considered and accommodated."
Parents will be allocated a $250 relocation and uniform allowance for each student leaving Hope Valley Primary School for another Government primary school.
"The need to preserve the history of Hope Valley Primary School will form an important component of closing the school," the Minister said.
"Students and staff, current and former, will be able to be a part of the planning for the school closure."
Mr Carpenter said in 1999, the then Department of Education began a Local Area Education Planning (LAEP) process to look at the future of the schools in the area of Hope Valley, Wattleup and South Coogee.
He said the Fremantle-Rockingham Industrial Area Strategy (FRIARS) was about to be released at that time, and was expected to have an impact on the zoning of the land in the area.
"The LAEP Draft Committee, comprising parent, school and district education office representatives, was of the view that any consideration of the school's future could not proceed until the impact of the FRIARS could be ascertained," the Minister said.
In February this year, further discussions about the future of the school took place between Landcorp and the Fremantle-Peel Education District Office.
A public consultation process commenced in March and found the school community wanted a firm decision on the school's future.
"I have provided them with that decision today, which is to close the school at the end of the year, before the industrial area strategy moves much further," Mr Carpenter said.
He said the school would continue to be resourced at the current level to ensure its viability until the end of the 2003 school year.
Minister's office: 9213 6800
