First students arrive at historic primary school in Ellenbrook

04/02/08
More than 200 children from thriving Ellenbrook will today embark on their education in a brand new school which has been founded on tradition.
Visiting the school today, Education and Training Minister Mark McGowan said the $9.1million facility featured 13 classrooms, three early childhood education classrooms, a music room, art and craft room, library resource centre, and a covered assembly area and canteen.
Mr McGowan said the school also had an administration block, tennis hard courts, netball and basketball and a grassed oval with automatic reticulation.
"Ellen Stirling Primary School is nothing short of outstanding, with first-class facilities and technology for students and teachers," he said.
"It has been built to cater for a rapidly growing community with many young families."
The school, located at Strathmore Parkway in the Ellenbrook village of Coolamon, was designed by Edgar Idle Wade Architects and built by Universal Constructions Pty Ltd.
Swan Hills MLA Jaye Radisich said the new school was named in honour of Mrs Ellen Stirling, wife of Perth's founder and the State's first Governor, Captain James Stirling.
"Ellen Stirling played an important role in Western Australia's settlement and is also regarded as the first teacher in the Swan River Colony," Ms Radisich said.
"It is fitting that the school has been named after her and I am sure the students will come to appreciate the significance of the school's name through their studies and surroundings."
Ellen Stirling Primary School's principal Mike Prime said he was thrilled with the opportunity to be a founding member of the school.
"During planning for the school we have been doing a lot of research into the history and impact of Mrs Stirling," Mr Prime said.
"Ellen Stirling Primary School's values will be based around her key traits of emotional resilience and confidence and all of our students will be encouraged to achieve their best.
"The physical environment of the school will feature a number of historical items to immerse students in tradition, while literacy and numeracy will be a key focus of the school's learning programs."
Mr McGowan said the Carpenter Government was spending $1.41billion during the current term on school infrastructure projects across WA.
"We are spending $1.41billion on new schools, upgrades to existing schools and school maintenance during this term and have built, planned and announced 65 new schools since coming to government in 2001," he said.
Minister's office - 9222 9111