A number of South Australian public schools will receive a funding boost as part of a $56 million capital works package to improve school facilities, meet projected enrolment demands and to transition Year 7 into high school.
Roma Mitchell College, Port Augusta Secondary School, Nuriootpa High School, Mark Oliphant College, Eastern Fleurieu R-12 School, Playford International College, Seaview High School, Golden Grove High School, Heathfield High School and Mount Compass Area School will all receive a share of $56 million in funding to support sustainable enrolment growth.
Some of the more significant capacity increases include Roma Mitchell College, which will increase by 500 students, Seaview High School by 420 students and Golden Grove High School by 400 students by 2022.
The capital works package comes in addition to the $18 million already announced for Adelaide High School.
A further $22 million has also been allocated to support priority projects in at Blackwood High School, Craigmore High School, Golden Grove High School, Heathfield High School, Henley High School, Kapunda High School, Mount Compass Area School, Seaview High School and Wirreanda High School.
The Education Department will now work directly with the schools receiving funding to determine the scope of the works and associated costings.
Detailed demographic analysis shows that around 10,000 places will be needed across the state by 2022 to accommodate both the predicted growth in public school students and moving Year 7 into high school.
Premier Steven Marshall said that the Government’s record investment in education was critical in delivering the world-class education system South Australia deserves.
“This is a significant investment in school infrastructure that will ensure our students are accommodated at their local school in modern learning facilities,” said Premier Marshall.
“Our aim is to deliver a world class education system that is the envy of other states, and the Liberal Government is delivering on our promise to move Year 7 into high school so that our students are no longer being left behind.
“Many of these schools are not only receiving additional classroom space, but also improved facilities such as science labs, design technology facilities and performing arts spaces, enhancing the educational experience for their students.
“By 2022, our Year 7 students will benefit from specialist education, with specialist facilities in a high school environment, delivering on our election commitment.”
Education Minister John Gardner said the Year 7 transition was a complex piece of work that will fundamentally change South Australia’s education system for the better.
“To deliver a world class education system, we need our Year 7 students to be taught by specialist teachers in a high school setting, as designed in the national curriculum,” said Minister Gardner.
“These redevelopments are essential to accommodate the projected levels of enrolment growth, ensuring that schools can sustain enrolments at a manageable level into the future.
“Our priority is ensuring that families who live in a high school zone can get a place at their local school, and modelling suggests there will be significant growth across the education system up until 2022.
“Enrolment demand at Roma Mitchell College has grown to levels that are unsustainable regardless of moving Year 7 to high school, highlighting how the former Labor Government failed to plan adequately to accommodate local students.
“Capital works will allow the school to increase its capacity by 500 students to accommodate a total of 1800 enrolments by 2022.
“Importantly, this funding will also be used to developed improved facilities at these schools to deliver modern spaces that enhance the learning experience for our students.”
