Official opening of Busselton Primary School

13/12/99
One of Western Australia's newest primary schools, built in the growing South-West town of Busselton, has been opened giving students and staff modern and high quality education facilities.
The Busselton Primary School community moved into its $4.9 million facility mid last year, and today it was officially opened by Education Minister Colin Barnett.
With 670 students and 70 staff, it is one of the largest primary schools in the Warren-Blackwood education district for students from kindergarten age to year seven.
Mr Barnett said the school community had been closely involved in discussions three years ago to build the new school, relocating it from the town's central business area to East Busselton.
The move had proved popular and the sale of the former Prince Street site for $6 million had allowed the benefits to flow through to the local community in the building of the modern facilities on the new school site.
"The new school is a credit to the quality of today's Government education system and it is serving both students and staff well," Mr Barnett said.
"I acknowledge there has been a sudden increase in enrolments at the three primary schools in the area but I would like to assure parents that the quality of the education being provided by our teachers is not being compromised.
"I hope parents acknowledge that the new Busselton Primary School is a very good facility and is a good starting point for the community, together with the Education Department, to continue discussions on how best to cater for the region's education needs in the future."
Busselton Primary School has 14 general classrooms, two pre-primary classrooms and an education support classroom, as well as a fully automated library, art and music rooms, and administration area, covered assembly, canteen and sporting facilities.
Next year, there will be three early childhood education facilities on-site, with a fourth planned for 2001, and an off-site building in Kent Street will also be available.
Mr Barnett also said that Busselton Primary School was being well equipped with the latest in information technology, with 20 additional new computers and other equipment planned for arrival next year.
The school was well on its way to meeting the State Government's target of at least one computer for every 10 pre-primary and primary school children by 2002.
Mr Barnett also announced that Mr Tim Baker, a former student of Busselton Primary School, would lead the school as its principal next year.
Media contact: Justine Whittome, (08) 9222 9699