12/3/03
The Coolbellup, Koorilla and North Lake communities south east of Fremantle will have a new $5.3million primary school in 2005, Education and Training Minister Alan Carpenter announced today.
Mr Carpenter said the new school was part of more than $90million allocated from 2002 to 2005 to build 17 new primary schools in Western Australia.
The new school will be formed out of the amalgamated North Lake, Koorilla and Coolbellup primary schools and the Koorilla Education Support Centre, which are to close due to declining enrolments and outdated facilities.
"The school will be modern, innovative and designed for 21st century educational practices, and will be the best way to ensure a quality education for local children," Mr Carpenter said.
"The facilities for the Koorilla Education Support Centre, which has an enrolment of 35, will be included in the building of new facilities."
Mr Carpenter said the Department of Education and Training and the City of Cockburn were committed to building the new school on the Len Packham Reserve and negotiations were continuing between the two organisations regarding the location of the school on the Reserve. The community would also be involved in the consultation process.
"Local residents can rest assured knowing that the City of Cockburn will be provided with alternative open space to compensate for the loss at the Len Packham Reserve," the Minister said.
He said the new school was part of a planning process aimed at improving educational delivery through restructuring and upgrading local schools in the Fremantle area, many of which were experiencing reduced student numbers.
"All three schools were built in the 1960s, when there were high numbers of young children in the area," the Minister said.
"Over time, the local population has aged, the schools are suffering a decline in enrolments and the facilities are not as up-to-date as they could be.
"The current numbers of students in each of the schools limits flexibility in programs and educational opportunities for students.
"By amalgamating the schools and building an excellent new school, the larger enrolment at the new school will allow for these special programs."
Mr Carpenter said the new school was expected to enrol about 350 students.
"The state-of-the-art school will be built to accommodate a strong technology focus capable of integrating technology into the teaching and learning programs," he said.
In June 2002, the Minister for Education announced the start of the consultation phase for the schools in the Coolbellup area.
"A consultative committee comprising parents and school staff was established to assist the Fremantle District Director in developing a consultation plan," Mr Carpenter said.
Information meetings were held for the parents involved with the schools and school communities were kept informed on the process through regular newsletters.
"The general consensus was support for the Len Packham Reserve option," he said.
Community involvement in planning for the new school was very important and encouraged members of the local community to take advantage of the opportunity to contribute to the process.
"The Director Schools for the Fremantle Education District will chair an implementation committee involving representatives from the school communities, the Fremantle District Education Office and Cockburn City Council," Mr Carpenter said.
"I urge the local community to get involved and provide their input into the ongoing implementation process."
Minister's office: 9213 6800
