New high schoolers get $7.8m home

Australind Senior High School is a step closer to being ready for its first class of Year 7 students after opening the $7.8 million Egret Wing last Friday morning.

Funded by the State Government through its Royalties for Regions program, the Egret Wing features modern classrooms for a range of subjects, a commercial kitchen and artwork by Duncan Moon.

However, Australind principal Greg Slavin said the most important work was still to come.

“As nice as Egret Wing is, it’s only a building — it guarantees nothing,” he said.

“It’s what happens within the four walls that will determine its success.”

South West MLC Colin Holt opened the building on behalf of Regional Development Minister Terry Redman and Education Minister Peter Collier.

Mr Holt said the new facility demonstrated the State Government’s commitment to regional WA.

“It shows this Government is fair dinkum about regional development, ” he said.

“Education is one of the most important things we can get right in regional development.”

Mr Holt praised the school’s preparations for the Year 7s, which put them “ahead of the game”.

“The Australind Senior High School community has led the way in making the whole school ready, ” he said.

Australind Year 7 transition program coordinator Danny Sullivan said he was excited to see the facility completed.

“It’s just a fantastic educational resource to have for Bunbury and for Australind, ” he said.

The school’s 240-strong 2015 Year 7 class will be shown the new Egret Wing today – its orientation day.

See more pictures from the Egret Wing opening on page 35

Click here to go mobile with iNFOGO - local everywhere