Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery has today announced a new Gifted and Talented selective academic program will begin at Harrisdale Senior High School in 2021.
The first intake will see up to 32 selected Year 7 students join the program and it will expand progressively to other year groups in subsequent years.
The program will see students extend their learning in the areas of English, humanities and social sciences, mathematics and science.
Harrisdale Senior High School first opened in 2017 to provide local students with access to a quality secondary education close to home.
The school’s staged building program is due for completion in early 2020, with purpose-built, state-of-the-art facilities for teaching and learning in all learning areas. This will include a new STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) centre.
The Gifted and Talented program at Harrisdale Senior High School is in addition to similar selective academic and arts programs offered at 20 public secondary schools.
Students entering Year 7 in 2021 can apply for a place in the new program when applications for Gifted and Talented secondary selective entrance programs open on October 14, 2019.
Parents can register their interest now at https://www.education.wa.edu.au/giftedandtalented
As stated by Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery:
“I commend the local member for his advocacy on behalf of his community to introduce a Gifted and Talented program to Harrisdale Senior High School.
“A high proportion of Gifted and Talented programs are based at schools in the inner metropolitan region so I am pleased this will be offered for students in the south.
“I want to make sure Gifted and Talented programs are spread across regional and metropolitan Perth better.
“These programs are well regarded, and places in the programs are highly sought after and extremely competitive.”
As stated by Jandakot MLA Yaz Mubarakai:
“Harrisdale Senior High School has dedicated, capable staff who have a strong capacity to deliver quality teaching and learning programs to students, including Gifted and Talented students.
“This program will give academically exceptional students an education option close to home so they don’t have to travel outside the local area for a school that suits their needs.
“This has been a great outcome for the grassroots campaign by key stakeholders in my electorate of Jandakot; the school principal, board, local P&Cs and local community members. I am grateful for their support.”
