New Primary School in Dawesville opened

24/10/01
Primary education in Peel, the fastest growing region in Australia, had received a major boost with the new Ocean Road Primary School, Education Minister Alan Carpenter said today.
Speaking at the official opening of the $5.6 million Ocean Road Primary School, Mr Carpenter said community strength and dedication had been key factors in the successful establishment of the school in 2001.
Mr Carpenter said the new school was servicing the needs of the many families who had settled in the area south of the Dawesville cut, over recent years.

The school's catchment area includes Lake Clifton, Armstrong Hills, Parkridge, Mt John and Herron Point Estates.

"From the outset, the vision has been for Ocean Road to be a community school and its state-of-the-art technology facility offers a broad range of learning opportunities for students," Mr Carpenter said.
"The concept of Ocean Road Primary School originated in 1997 as a result of extensive community consultation, with parents, residents and local community groups actively participating in the Department of Education's Local Area Education Planning process.
"The community has been involved in all planning and consultation since 1997, has had a real say in issues such as uniform design, artwork selection, and the selection process for the principal and deputies, and has played a key role in establishing the school.
"Ocean Road Primary School has modern and innovative facilities including three Education Support classrooms, an art and craft room, a specialist area for music and a library resource centre.
"The school is using a strong environmental focus that includes dune recycling, recycling and tree planting programs to build partnerships with local community businesses."
Ocean Road Primary School began operation in transportable classrooms on the Falcon Primary School site at the beginning of the 2001 school year with approximately 300 students and growth is expected to continue for some years.
The school started at the present site in Dawesville in March this year.
Media contact: Owen Cole - 9213 6806