$67m schools boost to improve learning

Three Pilbara schools are set to be transformed after receiving $67 million as part of the State Government’s WA Recovery Plan. The Major School Upgrade package worth $492.2m will modernise 46 metropolitan schools and 17 regional schools including Roebourne District High School, Karratha Senior High School and Wickham Primary School. A $42m redevelopment of Roebourne District High School forms part of the package and is set to include a social and culturally led learning environment for Roebourne students from pre-school to secondary school, with specific programs to engage Aboriginal children. Relevant stakeholders will be consulted to ensure the school’s upgrades meet the needs and aspirations of students and the community. RDHS principal Iain Browning said the funding was vital for the school as facilities were run down and outdated. He said the school was hoping to introduce interest-based learning for students. “Basically what we hope that instead of doing a traditional classroom with English and social studies and all the rest, it is interest-based so the teachers build the curriculum out from that,” Mr Browning said. Karratha Senior High School has been awarded $22m for the development of new classrooms — in particular specialist technology learning rooms, and additional administration and student services facilities. Principal Mario Tufilli welcomed the funding as enrolments continued to increase. “We are continuing to grow as a school, so getting the additional funding to put new facilities on our school site is going to be a positive for the students and the community,” he said. Wickham Primary School has been granted $3.5m for a new early childhood education centre, which principal Steven Rushforth said was a wonderful opportunity. “The current facilities are OK, but just OK, in the early childhood centre,” he said. “They are in demountables currently, and going into purpose-built classrooms will be an outstanding opportunity for them to get in there and further develop their wonderful programs.” Pilbara MLA Kevin Michel said the funding was fantastic for local schools and the wider Pilbara community. KSHS and WPS P&C groups both welcomed the announcement, with WPS P&C vice-president Kelly Nunn saying it was a great outcome for the expanding school.