Premier Mark McGowan and Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery and local MP John Quigley today opened the new $48.4 million Alkimos College.
Alkimos College, which opened its doors to more than 170 Year 7 students this year, will grow to accommodate about 1,500 Year 7 to 12 students by 2025.
The new world-class learning facility is one of eight secondary schools across Western Australia chosen to have a Specialised Autism Spectrum Disorder Learning Program.
With the program already in place at Alkimos Primary School, this will provide students with a seamless transition from kindergarten to Year 12, if they require it.
There is also a whole school approach to science, technology, engineering and mathematics and an academic program Alpha, open to students with high academic achievement in mathematics, English, science, humanities and social sciences, and health and wellbeing.
Two students were selected for the Alpha program $500 academic scholarship to assist them financially, after submitting an application outlining how they would provide leadership and contribute to the new college.
The college has purpose-built classrooms, including two double storey blocks, laboratories and studios, administration and student services, cafeteria and outdoor dining areas, and sporting fields.
The college was constructed by Perth-based building company EMCO Building.
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
“I’m delighted to open this fantastic new facility, which will deliver high quality education to local kids for years to come.
“Perth’s northern suburbs are booming, and as a Government we are focused on ensuring local families have world-class facilities to keep up with the growing population.
“My Government has a significant program of building new schools and upgrading existing facilities across our suburbs. We are committing to providing WA kids with the best possible education, regardless of where they live.”
As stated by Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery:
“Alkimos College is one of three brand new secondary colleges with world-class facilities that will open this year and provide outstanding learning environments for students and generations to come. Here in the growing north, students will have the very best.
“The Specialised Autism Spectrum Disorder Learning Program will give those students living on the spectrum with an opportunity at a seamless transition to learning from primary school to high school.
“The new college will take some of the pressure off Butler College, which has grown rapidly to cater for almost 1,800 students since opening in 2013.”
As stated by Butler MLA John Quigley:
“This is a fantastic day for local families and it’s an honour to say that the McGowan Government has been able to deliver on this vital election promise.
“The community should be proud that Alkimos College will be one of only eight secondary schools to provide the Specialised Autism Spectrum Disorder Learning Program and will provide a range of options for academically talented students.
“Alkimos College will deliver the highest standards of learning and will cater for students of all abilities for years to come in the Butler electorate.”
