A state-of-the-art classroom building was officially opened by Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery today, three years after 10 classrooms at East Kimberley College were destroyed by fire.
New English, humanities and social sciences, health, media, digital technology and home economics classrooms are housed in the building, along with a staff room and new offices.
The classrooms were built to replace the transportable structures erected in 2019 and opened to students earlier this year.
Designed by Bateman Architects and completed by MGC Building and Maintenance as part of MG Corporation, the new building has already been credited with improving staff and student morale, participation rates and educational outcomes.
East Kimberley College is a Kindergarten to Year 12 school that was established in 1964. The school currently has 874 students and runs a host of Aboriginal programs, including the Clontarf Football Academy, the Girls Academy and the Polly Farmer Foundation's Follow the Dream program.
The college also partners closely with local Aboriginal corporations - the MG Corporation, the Wunan Foundation and the Kununurra Waringarri Aboriginal Corporation - to ensure education and school attendance is recognised as a priority in the community.
A $40,000 resource and equipment grant will be provided to the primary school as part of the primary school science program.
As stated by Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery:
"East Kimberley College has shown great resilience over the past few years, particularly after fire had a significant impact on the school in 2018.
"This new building is already being embraced by staff and students as a welcome new addition that is improving everyday wellbeing and educational outcomes."
As stated by Kimberley MLA Divina D'Anna:
"The school sits at the heart of this community, so it is fantastic to see this exciting new building open to students, enhancing what is already a great place for learning.
"The school's links to local Aboriginal communities and its investment in students through the Clontarf and Girls academies and the Follow the Dream program are making a tangible difference to students' lives on the ground."
