One of Western Australia's largest secondary schools is set to undergo a $80 million redevelopment in a bid to house its rapidly increasing student population.
In an announcement by premier Colin Barnett and education minister Liz Constable, a multi-stage plan has been outlined for Willetton Senior High School, with construction set to take place over the next five years.
Stage one will see a new science block added to the school grounds, while stage two – due to begin in 2016 – is likely to focus on redeveloping the current library, mathematics and administration buildings.
According to Mr Barnett, the project will provide more permanent and sustainable architecture, relieving the need for transportable classrooms.
"This school, built in the 1970s, has been growing rapidly, with 1,736 students enrolled in semester one this year," he said on May 11.
"Significant areas of the school need refreshing, so that the increasing number of students learning here can benefit from contemporary learning facilities."
Dr Constable added that the redevelopment program will be planned with the school community, particularly to ensure that disruption to the students' teaching and learning is kept to a minimum.