14/11/03
The Gallop Government's $15million redevelopment of Geraldton's education and training facilities heralds an exciting new era in learning for the Mid-West.
Education and Training Minister Alan Carpenter visited Geraldton Secondary College today to unveil 'Geraldton: The Education and Training Future' - a plan to separate the college into two refurbished secondary schools and establish an annexe for Year 10-12 students on the Central West College of TAFE site.
Under the plan, the school's Highbury Street campus will be re-named John Willcock College and the Carson Terrace campus Geraldton Senior College.
The $15million, three-year project will commence in the 2005-06 financial year.
"Today's announcement will transform education and training in Geraldton," Mr Carpenter said.
"Local teenagers will have the opportunity to meet their potential through the best education infrastructure and programs Western Australia has to offer.
"For the first time, Year 11 and 12 students will be able to undertake some learning programs at the TAFE annexe, including VET and tertiary entrance subjects."
Key capital works components include:
- TAFE annexe - $6.55million worth of improvements to create a high school annexe at the TAFE college;
- John Willcock College (Highbury Street) - a further $3.6million to complete the refurbishment begun last December, including commencement of an air-conditioning program; and
- Geraldton Senior College (Carson Terrace) - a $4.55million refurbishment program.
"The improvements to the TAFE facilities will provide post-compulsory students with access to industry-standard facilities in fields such as Design and Technology, Hospitality and Art," Mr Carpenter said.
"Integration of Year 11 and 12 with TAFE and - potentially - universities, will give students access to a wider curriculum and multiple pathways for post-compulsory and post-school education.
"When the annexe is completed, all Geraldton Senior College students will have the opportunity to undertake some part of their education programs at the TAFE site.
"This is part of the Gallop Government's commitment to providing flexible learning options for senior high school students."
The Minister said the first step in the restructure was to separate the two campuses of Geraldton Secondary College back into two distinct high schools - John Willcock College and Geraldton Senior College.
John Willcock College (Highbury) will continue to cater for students in Years Eight and Nine and Geraldton Senior College (Carson Terrace) will accommodate Years 10 to 12.
Mr Carpenter said the renaming of Highbury after one of Geraldton's favourite sons was highly appropriate.
"John Willcock first won the seat of Geraldton for the Australian Labor Party in 1917 - he went on to serve as Premier from 1936-1945," he said.
"In 1975, John Willcock Senior High School was named in his honour. Unfortunately with the 1997 amalgamation of the school with Geraldton Senior High School, the name was lost.
"John Willcock will once again have pride of place in Geraldton's secondary education system."
A new principal, Mr Kevin Pilkington, has been appointed to John Willcock College. Dr Mort Harslett will continue as principal at Geraldton Senior College.
The restructure forms part of a raft of education strategies and initiatives specifically packaged for the Mid-West by the Gallop Government.
These initiatives include Highbury Campus Notebooks for Students program, where about 700 students will receive laptop computers and the establishment of a football academy for Aboriginal students.
Highbury received six additional staff under the Government's Behaviour Management and Discipline strategy and the Family Links allocation the school is using to build the schools' ties with the Geraldton community.
Six Mid-West schools have also been added to the 100 Schools Project, providing information and communication technology upgrades to the State's most needy schools.
Geraldton MLA Shane Hill, who took an active role in the consultation process, welcomed the sweeping package.
"Today's announcement is great news for the Geraldton community and our local education sector," Mr Hill said.
"The initiatives will make Geraldton a leader in providing education and training opportunities for our local youth."
"The Geraldton community now need to commit to Government secondary education by sending their children to the Government schools," Mr Carpenter said.
"The partnership between community and school is extremely important in ensuring students have the opportunity to achieve outstanding educational outcomes."
The restructure follows a comprehensive Local Area Education Planning and consultation process focusing on the structure of secondary education in Geraldton.
Minister's Office - 9213 6800
