Premier Mark McGowan has today visited Karratha Senior High School and revealed further details about works in the Pilbara region to upgrade schools and help with the WA Recovery Plan.
A major investment of $22 million at Karratha Senior High School will provide state-of the-art facilities and accommodate increasing student enrolments.
Upgrades include a new classroom block that will deliver specialist technology learning rooms including engineering robotics, information technology, media studies, food technology, textiles, woodwork and metalwork and STEM, as well as refurbishments to existing buildings.
Karratha Senior High School is the only public secondary school in town and provides a high-quality and diverse education for more than 1,200 students. It has modern science facilities, a performing arts centre and gymnasium and a fantastic arrangement for shared use of the City of Karratha Leisureplex and TAFE facilities.
As part of the WA Recovery Plan other schools set for significant upgrades include:
- $42 million for the redevelopment of Roebourne District High School from kindergarten to secondary school, with specific programs to engage Aboriginal children;
- $4 million for a residential facility in Newman to support Martu students from remote communities to participate in secondary education at Newman Senior High School and VET programs; and
- $3.5 million for new early childhood buildings for kindergarten and pre-primary students at Wickham Primary School.
There are five public primary schools in Karratha - Baynton West Primary School, Karratha Primary School, Millars Well Primary School, Pegs Creek Primary School and Tambrey Primary School - that have all recently received funding for maintenance as part of the State Government's High Priority Maintenance and Minor Works Program.
The WA Recovery Plan builds on the works created through the High Priority Maintenance program which ensures schools across the State benefit from upgrades and refurbishments.
Millars Well Primary School is receiving more than $1.1 million for an upgraded administration building which will refresh the look of the school. Works started this month and are expected to be completed in January 2021.
In Port Hedland, $15 million has been allocated to rejuvenate and modernise the facilities at Hedland Senior High School.
The scope of works will include refurbishments across the school, creating new STEM facilities, IT laboratories, home economics laboratory, technical drawing room and an education support centre. These works are expected to be completed by January 2021 and have created more than 290 jobs.
Also in Port Hedland, Cassia Primary School, Cassia Education Support Centre, Baler Primary School, Port Hedland Primary School and South Hedland Primary School have recently received millions of dollars towards upgraded facilities, through the High Priority Maintenance and Minor Works Program including a $2 million administration building at Cassia Primary School.
Construction is also well underway at the brand new early childhood block at Baler Primary School worth $4.3 million. The new buildings are expected to be completed in September 2020.
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
"I am pleased to announce further details of the major construction projects and upgrades at schools in the Pilbara.
"Our multimillion-dollar investments in Karratha Senior High School will provide students with exceptional facilities and additional learning opportunities.
"The upgrades will support jobs and boost the regional economy going into the recovery phase of COVID-19."
As stated by Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery:
"The McGowan Government is committed to ensuring that students around the State have access to high-quality schools and the best possible learning environments.
"The upgrades as part of the Pilbara Recovery Plan build on the unprecedented investments we've made through our schools' maintenance blitz, which ensures all public schools benefit from minor works and refurbishments.
"Our comprehensive WA Recovery Plan will help drive economic and social recovery across the State, and create a pipeline of jobs for Western Australians."
Education and Training Minister's office - 6552 5700
