Armadale Senior High School to pilot Full Service Schools program

• Armadale Senior High School selected as site for Full Service Schools pilot
• Full Service Schools provide extra support to children and parents, beyond the normal classroom curriculum
• Program to benefit students, teachers, parents and the local community and fulfils a McGowan Government election commitment

Armadale Senior High School has been selected as the location for a three-year pilot of the Full Service Schools program.

Full Service Schools, a McGowan Government election commitment, provide a range of services and activities, often beyond the school day, to help meet the needs of children, their families and the wider community.

A Full Service School could include services such as after-school activities, vacation care, life skills training (e.g. parenting support, prevention of teenage pregnancy and substance abuse, and social and relationship skills), TAFE/VET services, specialist health services, classes to reintegrate early school leavers and part-time community-based projects.

The pilot project will see Armadale Senior High School become a youth and community service hub for families in the Armadale-Kelmscott region.

A number of existing partnerships and services at the school, such as those offered through the Trade Training Centre, could be extended and new partnerships developed to increase community access to school facilities and programs.

This could include offering services outside school hours, such as short TAFE courses for the community, utilising school facilities and access to the school library.

The Department of Education is the lead agency for the Full Service Schools pilot project, working with the departments of Communities; Justice and Health, and the WA Police Force.

A steering committee with representatives from each agency is currently being formed and will be responsible for developing an operational plan and determining the programs to be offered at the school. It will work closely with representatives from Armadale Senior High School, local schools and youth and community groups who will provide feedback and suggestions on pilot services.

Comments attributed to Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery:

"Full Service Schools go beyond the traditional classroom and help schools support modern families and the complex issues they face.

"This initiative is based on a policy discussion paper written by the local member, Tony Buti.

"Schools, particularly in low socio-economic areas, are increasingly required to cope with non-academic issues such as safety and health. These issues can spill into the classroom and affect learning in ways that teachers should not be expected to handle on their own.

"The services offered at a Full Service School help ensure students who regularly attend school, are safe, and ready and better able to learn."

Comments attributed to Armadale MLA Tony Buti:

"Armadale Senior High School is a great location for the pilot - it already does a great job educating local kids and it can now evolve the support it offers to students and their families.

"Education is key to unlocking opportunities and the Full Service Schools model ensures they get the best possible start in life by supporting them both in and out of the classroom.

"I'm looking forward to working with Armadale Senior High School to see how the Full Service Schools model can be delivered to benefit local kids, their families and the community."

Comments attributed to Armadale Senior High School principal Mary Griffiths:

"Armadale Senior High School has a really competent student services team which supports our students so they have the ability to learn.

"This pilot is only going to add to that and will give us the opportunity to expand the services we already offer.

"Students here are wonderful and deserve everything we can offer them."

Minister's office - 6552 5700