Official opening of computer centre at Oberthur Primary School, Bullcreek

10/9/97

Technology has today become the focus of Oberthur Primary School in Bullcreek thanks to some hard work by the local school community and a strong commitment to give the school's students access to up-to-date computer hardware.

At Oberthur Primary School today to officially open its new $50,000 Computer Centre, Education Minister Colin Barnett congratulated the local community on its determination to realise one of the school's main priorities.

"For the past three years, the school community has worked hard to raise funds through the P&C Association to contribute to the Computer Centre," Mr Barnett said.

"Fundraising efforts have seen $17,000 go towards the new facility which is a tremendous effort on behalf of everyone involved.

"The Computer Centre houses 15 IBM pentium computers, adjustable computer tables and cabling to link it to the school's library where there are two other pentiums. As well, surplus computers from various government departments have been given to the school to boost the overall number available to staff and students."

Mr Barnett said technology, with an emphasis on increasing students' use of computers, had become a priority at Oberthur Primary School. With 270 students from pre-primary to year seven, the school was embarking on new initiatives to ensure students of all ages and staff were making best use of their new facilities. These initiatives included the appointment of a computer specialist.

"I applaud the school community on their efforts to build this computer facility and especially make mention of the time and work put into this project by the school's principal Dennis Odgers. Dennis initiated the idea and was the driving force behind its development - he even established a working party of interested parents to tackle and complete the project."

Mr Barnett said Oberthur Primary School had decided to direct School Grant and minor works money into building the Computer Centre. He said the initiative was consistent with the Government's $38 million commitment over four years to substantially upgrade technology in schools. This included ensuring every government school was connected to the Internet and an aim to achieve, on average, one computer for every five government school students by 2001.

Media contact: Justine Whittome, (08) 9222 9699