15/8/01
Housing and Works Minister Tom Stephens announced today that initial site works had commenced as part of the construction of the new $15 million Kinross Middle School.
The school will accommodate 800 to 1,000 students in Years 6 to 10 and will complement the soon-to-be-constructed Mindarie Senior College (Years 11 and 12), the Kinross Primary School (kindergarten to Year 5) and Clarkson Community College (Years 8 to 12).
Mr Stephens said the Department of Housing and Works had worked closely with the Department of Education to ensure this 'federation of schools' would meet the educational needs of the northern Joondalup region.
"This clustering approach will provide significant economies of scale and the specially designed school will provide a positive environment for learning," he said.
"The school has been structured to provide year-based learning teams consisting of cohorts of up to 120 students undertaking self-paced and collaborative learning."
Consolidated Constructions Pty Ltd won the contract to construct the Stage 1 facilities and is on schedule to ensure the school is ready for the start of the 2002 school year.
The school will be occupied progressively over several years with Stage 1 accommodating approximately 240 students in Years 6 and 7.
Architects James Christou and Partners have designed the new buildings using the latest passive environmental design strategies to minimise energy consumption.
Night cooling and stack ventilation techniques will ensure the internal spaces remain cool during summer.
Time controlled gas heating will minimise energy wastage while providing winter warmth in all areas of the school.
It is envisaged contracts for Stage Two will follow with construction commencing later this year ready for the start of the 2003 school year.
Media contact: Julie Cole 9213 6500
