- Harrisdale Senior High School one of five new schools opening this year
- New primary schools in Landsdale, Byford, Alkimos and Baldivis
- A teacher in front of every classroom on day one
More than 450,000 primary and secondary students across Western Australia packed their schoolbags and headed to classrooms today for the start of the 2017 school year.
At the official opening of the new Harrisdale Senior High School, Premier Colin Barnett welcomed staff, students and parents.
"This $56 million school is state-of-the-art. It has the very best facilities available and the community is rightly, extremely proud," Mr Barnett said.
"There are a record number of students this year - more than 450,000 with nearly 300,000 in public schools alone - and there is a teacher in front of every classroom across the State."
Education Minister Peter Collier said public schools would benefit from the biggest-ever amount of funding this year - $4.84 billion in 2016-17 and $4.97 billion in 2017-18.
"There are nearly 23,000 public school teachers in classrooms and more than 7,500 education assistants supporting students," Mr Collier said.
Harrisdale Senior High School includes a cutting edge technology and enterprise area, food technology laboratory, textiles studio, gymnasium, fitness centre and cafe.
"Students have access to the latest innovations, including wireless technology throughout the school and a library information resource centre," Mr Collier said.
Four new public primary schools are also open for the first time today: Alkimos Beach Primary School; Baldivis Gardens Primary School; Carnaby Rise Primary School (Landsdale); and Woodland Grove Primary School (Byford).
Fact File
- $3.1 billion has been invested in public school infrastructure since 2008
- A further $1.3 billion has been allocated for new projects over the next four years
- WA schools are the best resourced of any State in the nation
- Across the board, WA teachers are the highest paid of any State
Premier's office - 6552 5000
Education Minister's office - 6552 6300
