WA Labor to fund quality school upgrades for Goldfields families

• Re-elected Cook Labor Government to invest $16.4 million in upgrades to Goldfields schools
• $12 million O’Connor Primary School project to deliver a brand new early childhood block
• WA Labor commitments also include sport, air-conditioning and pre-primary improvements

A re-elected Cook Labor Government will invest $16.4 million in new and improved education infrastructure for school students and families in Western Australia’s Goldfields region.

WA Labor’s Goldfields schools package includes a brand new $12 million early childhood education block for O’Connor Primary School in Kalgoorlie.

The new early childhood block will have modern classrooms, toilets and facilities specially suited to the needs of early childhood education, and will be integrated with the school’s education support centre to provide more opportunities for students with disability to be part of their broader school community.

A re-elected Cook Labor Government will also fund a $1.8 million upgrade to the oval at Kambalda West District High School, providing better sporting facilities and play space for students.

A further $850,000 will be invested in pre-primary building upgrades and a new nature playground at Norseman District High School.

Kalgoorlie Primary School and Leonora District High School will benefit from WA Labor’s Cool the Schools air-conditioning upgrade program, which will retrofit schools that lack effective air conditioning with modern reverse-cycle technology. This will improve learning environments for students and working conditions for teachers and school staff.

The co-location of the new classroom block and education support centre at O’Connor Primary School is an important opportunity to ensure the school’s infrastructure and design deliver greater academic, social and emotional inclusion of students with disability, through shared spaces and facilities.

WA Labor’s commitment builds on the Cook Labor Government’s significant investment in local education and training, including significant support provided to regional and remote schools to attract and retain experienced teachers, upgraded STEM and performing arts facilities at Kalgoorlie-Boulder Community High School, and delivery of $10 million in upgrades at Kalgoorlie TAFE.

Comments attributed to Education Minister Dr Tony Buti:

“We want every WA student to have the best possible education, including here in the Goldfields."

“Under a re-elected Cook Labor Government, O’Connor Primary School students and families will benefit from a brand early childhood education block with state-of-the-art facilities."

“The new classroom block will be integrated with the school’s education support centre – this is important because every student has the right to not just attend school, but to be present, included and a celebrated member of their school community."

“We’re also investing in modern facilities to encourage local students to get outdoors to play and participate in sport, and have committed to creating an unprecedented School Infrastructure Fund that will enable the gradual refurbishment of WA’s hundreds of public primary and secondary schools right across the State.”

Comments attributed to Kalgoorlie MLA Ali Kent:

“Only WA Labor has a credible plan to deliver the high-quality school facilities that Goldfields students and families want and need."

“The major upgrades to O’Connor Primary School will provide incredible facilities for its youngest students, as well as important opportunities for students with disability."

“I’m proud to have worked with local principals, P&Cs and families and advocated for these important projects, which will provide more opportunities for students to get a strong start to their education, play and participate in sport, and enjoy being part of their broader school community.”