3/7/03
Melville Senior High School is set for a multi-million dollar revamp, with the State Government today announcing $2.3million in funding for the first stage of a major upgrade.
Education and Training Minister Alan Carpenter said the upgrade would see the development of a middle school block, aeronautics centre and visual arts centre.
"Melville Senior High School has an outstanding young principal in Allan Blagaich and the redevelopment will complement his vision of creating a clear learning pathway, which is flexible and relevant to the students," Mr Carpenter said.
The upgrade includes:
- completely redeveloping the two-storey Leach Highway wing into general teaching areas specifically designed for middle schooling practices for Year Eight and Nine students;
- moving the aeronautics program from the old caretaker's cottage to a purpose-built aeronautics centre, which will ultimately link the science and technology department with the aeronautics program; and
- creating a new Visual Arts Centre, with graphics design centre and gallery space from the existing Visual Arts rooms and a science lab.
Mr Blagaich said the redevelopment would ensure the school had inclusive practices and approaches to its programs.
"It's about creating a learning environment that will provide pathways for all students, vocational and academic," he said.
"The effect will be increased partnerships with Murdoch University and TAFEWA in the growing media and multi-media fields.
"These additions will also create greater opportunities for Melville Senior High School to work closely with our local primary schools, increasing opportunities for primary pupils as well as our students."
Mr Carpenter said the upgrade was part of more than $20million-worth of new Government schools and upgrades planned for the Melville-Willagee corridor in the next two years.
"New schools will be built in Melville, Willagee and Coolbellup, to replace older schools in the area which have been suffering declining enrolments," he said.
"These are part of more than $90million allocated from 2002 to 2005 to build 17 new primary schools in Western Australia.
"We are delivering quality education to equip our children for the future."
The new schools in the Melville-Willagee area include:
- Melville Primary School, to be rebuilt at a cost of $5.5million;
- a new $5.5million primary school to be built on the Willagee Primary School site for the start of the 2005 school year. This follows the amalgamation of Willagee and Carawatha primary schools and Carawatha Language Development Centre; and
- a new $5.3million primary school in Coolbellup, following the amalgamation of North Lake, Koorilla and Coolbellup primary schools and the Koorilla Education Support Centre.
Mr Carpenter said architects for the high school upgrade would be commissioned by September and would immediately commence consultation with the school community and preliminary planning. He said site work was expected to start in March next year with completion by the end of the school year.
The tender for the school would apply the State Government's Building Skills Policy, which aimed to ensure there was an adequate supply of skilled people for Western Australia's growing economy.
Under the policy, Government construction contracts in excess of $2million must employ a minimum level of apprentices and provide for the upskilling of existing workers.
Minister's office: 9213 6800
