Education Minister Liz Constable today officially opened Bunbury’s new $27.3million Manea Senior College.
The college opened its doors to 152 Year 11 students in February and will offer Year 12 courses from 2010.
Dr Constable said the college was a culmination of a community vision.
“The world-class learning environment and outstanding modern facilities can only help students to achieve their goals,” she said.
“Manea Senior College has already established a firm place at the heart of the community and is an important part of the city’s emerging education and training precinct.
“Gaps in local education have been filled, with students now able to obtain high-level training qualifications at the same time as pursuing a Tertiary Entrance Ranking and a WA Certificate of Education.”
The Minister said the selection of Manea Senior College, as one of Western Australia’s first independent public schools, was an indication of how well it had developed in its short life.
Principal Paul Matthews said the college would now have greater freedom to make decisions best suited to the needs of students and the community.
“Being the only regional senior college to be named as an independent public school is a great honour and will greatly enhance the opportunities we can create for students in Bunbury and the South-West,” Mr Matthews said.
“The excellent staff and teaching programs we have, and our productive partnerships with the likes of Edith Cowan University and TAFE, mean the Manea experience is extremely positive for all involved.”
Dr Constable said the college was named after prominent general practitioner and former Bunbury mayor Dr Ernie Manea and his wife Beulah (Snookie), who won an Order of Australia Medal in 2007 for her commitment to the community.
“The Maneas have been outstanding Bunbury citizens for more than 50 years and this college is a fitting tribute to their dedication and hard work in their community,” she said.
The college was designed by architects Cox Howlett Bailey and Woodland and built by Perkins Contractors. It was recently named best public building in WA by the Australian Institute of Architects.
Facilities include:
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