New $120,000 administration block for Wilson Park Primary School

Staff at Wilson Park Primary School in Collie are to benefit from a $120,000 upgrade of the school’s administration area.

Visiting the school today to announce the upgrade, Education and Training Minister Mark McGowan said the changes would significantly enlarge and improve the work environment for staff.

“It is important that staff are happy with their workplace and an upgrade of facilities can have a positive impact on the overall functioning of a school,” Mr McGowan said.

“The new administration block will be much bigger and will provide staff with the facilities they need to continue their smooth and efficient running of the school.”

Collie-Wellington MLA Mick Murray said the proposed works included:

·        the conversion of a classroom into a staff room with new carpet, sink and cabinet;

·        refurbishment of the existing principal’s office into the registrar’s office;

·        conversion of staff room into offices for the principal and deputy principal, reprographics room and an interview room; and

·        an additional female staff toilet.

Planning for the project will begin later this term and the work is expected to be finished by mid-2009.

During the Minister’s visit, Principal Leanne Sheardown took the opportunity to highlight the school’s innovative afternoon activity program.

“The program allows students to select from a range of options including cooking, scrapbooking and photography, sewing, skipping, bike education and drama,” Ms Sheardown said.

“It’s based on an idea from Perth’s Redcliffe Primary School, where teachers are extremely impressed with how the children’s behaviour has improved.

“It opens up a whole range of options, including opportunities for the older students to mentor the younger ones, and to involve community organisations including the local Police, Citizens and Youth Club.”

Mr McGowan said the program was an outstanding example of a school taking a proactive approach to resolving issues of student attendance and behaviour.

The Minister said the $120,000 upgrade was part of the massive $100million State Government commitment to improving public schools in the South-West.

“I’d like to thank both Principal Sheardown and Collie-Wellington MP Mick Murray for their advocacy in relation to this issue,” he said.

“I visited Wilson Park Primary School earlier this year and Iistened to the school’s concerns.”

The Carpenter Government is spending $1.41billion on school infrastructure projects across Western Australia.