John Curtin College of the Arts to be a selective arts school

22/11/06
Western Australia's talented young musicians, actors and dancers will have the opportunity to be nurtured in the State's second selective school to be established at John Curtin College of the Arts.
Education and Training Minister Ljiljanna Ravlich said today the college would stand alongside Perth Modern School as a lighthouse school for gifted and talented young Western Australians.
"John Curtin College of the Arts will be transformed into a selective college of the arts from Year Eight in 2008 and will fit within the Department of Education and Training's existing Gifted and Talented Education program," Ms Ravlich said.
"There will be a limited number of places which will be non-selective to cater for the small number of students who traditionally attended John Curtin from nearby primary schools.
"The college will provide academically gifted and talented arts students with the option of a fully selective school environment.
"Strong evidence from the Victorian and New South Wales selective arts schools indicates that students who attend these schools benefit greatly from working alongside others who are gifted and passionate about their work.
"Students will be exposed to a rich program which connects to universities and involves professional artists so they can achieve their maximum potential."
The Minister said John Curtin College of the Arts, located in Fremantle, the arts capital of WA, was highly regarded for its dance, drama, musical theatre, music and arts media programs.
"The transformation to a selective arts school is a natural progression which has already established an outstanding reputation in arts education," she said.
"The level of interest in, and the reputation of, current selective programs in drama, music and visual arts in several public schools shows there is a strong commitment to the arts.
"As valuable as these programs are, a selective environment adds a new dimension for exceptionally gifted and talented students."
Minister's office: 9213 6800