$2,000 donated towards improvements at O'Connor Primary School

20/8/99
Education Minister Colin Barnett today presented a $2,000 cheque to the Parents' and Citizens' Association during the official opening celebrations at O'Connor Primary School and Education Support Centre in Kalgoorlie-Boulder.
The $5.2 million project was built in 1996 to relieve pressure from overcrowding at the Boulder School site. The Commonwealth and State Governments jointly provided funding.
Mr Barnett today unveiled a plaque to mark the official opening ceremony, while students celebrated by placing memorabilia from each class in a time capsule.
The Minister said the importance of the school to the local community was clear from the steady increase in enrolments over the years.
"Student numbers have gone from 370 pre-primary and primary students in 1996, to 650 kindergarten, pre-primary and primary students in 1999," he said.
"This is a substantial growth rate, and led to five additional teaching areas having to be built in 1997.
"Along with other works including air conditioning and fencing carried out at the time, those additions cost a further $947,000.
"All up, it has been a very big outlay of funds, but the rewards are evident."
Mr Barnett said the school and education support centre were important facilities for the district.
"In fact, when the initial announcement was made that a new school was going to be built here, the whole airport subdivision got a shot in the arm with land beginning to sell and new houses springing up everywhere," he said.
Since then, the community has continued to grow, with the O'Connor school earning a reputation as one of the town's key assets.
Mr Barnett said he was particularly impressed by the school ethos, which is 'to foster an atmosphere of friendship, pride and acceptance of individuality, whilst aspiring to excellence'.
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