18/12/01
Intensive language centres at Perth Modern School and Graylands Primary School will be moved to better provide for the needs of the students they serve, Education Minister Alan Carpenter announced today.
The Department of Education's only intensive language centre for Year 11,12 and mature-aged students will be relocated from Perth Modern School to Cyril Jackson Senior Campus in Bassendean for the start of the 2002 school year.
Also, the centre at Graylands Primary School will move to an as yet unidentified school in the south-east metropolitan area for the start of the 2003 school year.
"There has been strong demand for these successful programs and we need to ensure they are available in the most convenient locations possible," Mr Carpenter said.
He said Cyril Jackson Senior Campus would offer students more space, excellent public transport, a wider range of courses and flexible timetabling to accommodate part-time work commitments.
"It would also provide access to more services including vocational education courses and TEE subjects and to specialised outside agency support already at the campus," the Minister said.
"Work has begun on a $275,000 upgrade of facilities at the Cyril Jackson campus and it is scheduled for completion in first term of 2002.
"Intensive language centre students will be accommodated in the school library and available classrooms until the new facilities are ready.
"A rapid increase in demand for places in the Intensive Language Centre and English as a Second Language programs meant Perth Modern School was overcrowded.
"I thank the local member, Perth MLA, John Hyde, for bringing conditions at Perth Modern School to my attention.
"A lower school intensive language centre and English as a Second Language program catering for approximately 200 school age students at Perth Modern School will remain."
Mr Carpenter said there was less urgency in moving the Intensive Language Centre from Graylands. However, it was important to locate centres close to where most students lived.
"Since the mid-1990s, fewer new-arrival students have settled in the western suburbs close to Graylands Primary School, while more are settling in the south-eastern suburbs," the Minister said.
"A number of young children were being taken long distances by bus to Graylands ILC, resulting in greater travel time than was desirable.
"The relocated ILC will accommodate primary-aged students who require intensive English language tuition.
"None of the students currently enrolled in the ILC at Graylands Primary School will be affected by the relocation."
Mr Carpenter said the decision to relocate the ILC resulted from an extensive community consultation undertaken as part of the Department of Education's Local Area Education Planning (LAEP) process.
"The three existing ILCs, Highgate, Koondoola and Beaconsfield, will absorb students in the current Graylands ILC intake area," he said.
Mr Carpenter acknowledged the contribution of the Graylands PS to the education of ILC students.
"The school has been home to the centre for many years and I appreciate the support of its staff, students and parents to the many new arrivals who have been through the facility," he said.
Minister's office: 9213 6800
