- New $12 million two-storey modular classroom block for Highgate Primary School
- Innovative design includes six classrooms for 160 students and additional toilets for students and staff
- Shared-use agreement signed with City of Vincent to expand access to green space for students and staff
The Cook Government will invest $12 million in expanded facilities for Highgate Primary School.
Education Minister Tony Buti said the innovative upgrades would include six general learning classrooms for 160 students, a multi-purpose teaching space, teacher facilities, and additional toilets for students and staff.
The modular building will be constructed in parts offsite, reducing the amount of on-site construction time and associated disruption to the school. It will be connected to the school’s existing two-storey building to enable access via lift and stairway.
Consultation with the school on the specific design and layout of the new classrooms will begin immediately ahead of a tender being released.
Existing green spaces at the school will be improved and some existing toilets will also be upgraded as part of the project.
A shared-use agreement with the City of Vincent will also enable students to use the nearby Birdwood Square for play, exclusively, during school hours. The Department of Education is negotiating with the City of Vincent to lease car bays to enable the conversion of some school car parking to additional green space.
Transportables will be relocated to facilitate the installation of the state-of-the-art modular structure while minimising the impact to the school’s existing green space.
The Department of Education and the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage are working closely with the City of Vincent to repurpose the northern part of Grant Street, Highgate to increase the school area and assist with the modular build.
Planning for the new Inner City Primary School proposed for East Perth is progressing, which will also provide long-term enrolment relief for Highgate Primary School.
The State Government is waiting for the City of Perth to progress a Major Land Transaction Plan, so planning can progress and construction begin as soon as possible.
As stated by Education Minister Dr Tony Buti:
“Highgate Primary School is a great school, with fantastic students, teachers and staff, that is in demand.
“The Department of Education has worked very hard with the school community to produce an innovative solution to the growing enrolments, while we build the new Inner City Primary School planned for East Perth.
“I want to thank families in the area for their commitment to their school and public education. The inner city is an increasingly popular choice for families, and we are committed to meeting this demand with high-quality education facilities.”
As stated by Perth MLA John Carey:
“Our community has advocated strongly for enhanced education facilities, as we see continued growth and more families choosing to live in the inner-city area.
“As our city evolves, the State Government has made significant investments to schools across the inner-city including Bob Hawke College and Mount Lawley Senior High School.
“The East Perth Primary School will be the single biggest investment in a public primary school in our State’s history and while we work through the business case, we continue to implement measures to support Highgate Primary School.”
