The first stage of a new primary school being built in Southern River has reached practical completion and will be named Yarralinka Primary School, Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery announced today.
The school is being built in stages, with the first buildings - worth $7.2 million - now finished and opening in 2021 with room for up to 160 kindergarten and pre-primary students.
Stage two will be completed for the start of the 2023 school year and cater for up to 540 students from kindergarten to Year 6.
'Yarralinka' is a type of wheat, and the name reflects the agricultural activities that occurred in the area in the past. It is also the name of the street which the school is located on.
The name was one of three proposed names put to the local community for feedback. Results from a community survey showed that nearly two thirds of respondents preferred Yarralinka Primary School.
Other options were Yarralinka Community Primary School and Southern River Primary School.
Christopher Burgess has been appointed as the foundation principal for Yarralinka Primary School.
The new school is part of the State Government's $513.6 million investment (2018-19) to build new WA public schools and upgrade existing facilities across the State, creating jobs for Western Australians and ensuring students have access to modern education facilities.
As stated by Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery:
"Western Australian families need quality local schools to give children the best start in life so they can have every opportunity to achieve.
"This is the second school we have built and opened in the last three years. The previous government did not build any schools in Southern River.
"We are providing new schools and upgraded facilities in our growing southern suburbs."
As stated by Southern River MLA Terry Healy:
"It is really fantastic that so many families support the new official name for the school in Southern River - Yarralinka Primary School.
"We promised to build two primary schools. I'm proud that we've delivered on our promise."
