$25m revamp for Geraldton public schools

John Willcock College and Geraldton Senior College will be expanded so both schools cater for Years 7 to 12.

Premier Colin Barnett and Education Minister Peter Collier announced $25 million to upgrade the schools while visiting John Willcock College today.

The two schools will not be merged, which was one option previously canvassed publicly by decision-makers as part of planning for future growth.

The changes would come into effect by 2019.

John Willcock College currently caters for students in Years 7 to 9, while Geraldton Senior College caters for Years 10 to 12.

Both schools would also become Independent Public Schools, which would give the principals power to hire teachers and expel students more easily, as well as cut red tape and set their own curriculum.

Mr Collier said the changes followed community consultation last year about public secondary schooling in the key regional centre.

“It was clear parents want a continuous secondary education for their children, rather than having separate middle and senior schools,” he said.

Under the changes, both colleges will offer a broad curriculum with Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) options and vocational education and training.

About $20 million will be invested in John Willcock College to provide a new arts facility and medical centre, upgrade design and technology facilities, and provide new staff areas, change rooms, toilets and a cafeteria.

A new academic extension program for students from years 7 to 10 will start in 2020.

“The extension program will provide students with a clear direction in their studies as they move into years 11 and 12 and on to university,” the Minister said.

At Geraldton Senior College, about $5 million will be spent on specialist facilities, classrooms, an upgraded heritage building, along with the refurbishment of former residential college buildings, change rooms and toilets.

New local intake boundaries for each school have been drafted, to ensure a broad mix of students at both schools.

“Each school will provide a high quality education for a cross section of the Geraldton community,” Mr Collier said.