3 February 2014

New schools open in Yanchep Beach and North Butler

Yanchep Beach Primary School and John Butler Primary College in North Butler welcomed students for the first time today to commence the 2014 school year.

Liberal Member for North Metropolitan Region, Peter Katsambanis, said the new Independent Public Schools would serve the rapidly growing north metropolitan area and ease pressure on existing local schools including Yanchep District High School and Butler and East Butler primary schools.

Mr Katsambanis said the new schools were two of seven public schools opening today, with the WA State Government investing $538million on major education capital works projects in 2014 to deal with the State’s strong population growth.

“The WA State Government is making this unprecedented investment to make sure our children have the best possible opportunity to obtain a high quality education.

“Students at the two new schools will enjoy state-of-the-art facilities, innovative teaching and a distinctive approach to schooling.

“The $14 million Yanchep Beach Primary School will accommodate 430 students from kindergarten to year 6 and is the first public school to feature a nature playground.” Mr Katsambanis said.

The school includes an administration block, library resource centre, covered assembly area, dental therapy centre, five-classroom early childhood blocks, 10 general classrooms, activity areas, art and craft room, music room and inclusive education classroom.

“John Butler Primary College is the second public primary school in Western Australia to employ the One School Model. This means all children, including students with disabilities, are under the same school leadership,” Mr Katsambanis said.

The school has specialist facilities for students requiring education support and will cater for up to 40 education support students. The $29.5million school, built to accommodate up to 430 students, has been split into two stages, with the first completed last month and ready for today’s first day of school. The second stage is scheduled to be completed in April this year.