Margaret River Senior High School growing pains a concern

The Margaret River Senior High School board is calling for urgent action to accommodate student growth at the campus, with the latest figures confirming the existing school is now at capacity.

School board president Barbara Maidment said the latest meeting confirmed enrolment figures were on track with estimates, which meant the stalled second stage of the school’s expansion had to get under way at once to avoid future shortfalls and crowding.

School leaders were frustrated with the Education Department’s insistence it was “monitoring” school numbers, the same with dilapidated Cowaramup Primary School which was due serious investment to cater to booming growth.

The initial MRSHS two-stage plan previously had the second stage split, with the undelivered component including a resource library, cafeteria, performing arts auditorium and learning areas for design, technology and enterprise.

Dr Maidment told the Times well wishes from the department and politicians were not good enough.

“Whilst we appreciate the intent of the message, it does nothing to assure our board that the needs of MRSHS, fully developed and approved by the department in 2017, have been actioned, other than the oval,” she said.

“To say this is disappointing is an understatement.”

Tony Buti taking the Ministerial helm, after discussions when Mark McGowan brought his Cabinet to town late last year, were another hurdle, though Dr Maidment said a meeting with the new Education Minister would be forthcoming.

“The outlook is not reassuring,” Dr Maidment said.

“The thing to know is that the school expansion plans, (originally) scheduled to be completed in 2022, were for 1200 students.

“So we have the numbers, and continue to grow, but the expansion plans are stalled.”

The latest departmental figures showed strong growth at the school.

While the upper-school cohort numbers were stable, enrolments in lower grades showed stark growth beyond expected figures.

Upper school enrolments hovered around the 300-student mark since 2018, but lower school figures have risen by 125 students in the same five-year period, to 876 in 2022.

South West Education Region education director Dainon Couzic reiterated that MRSHS’ growth was closely monitored.

“The Department of Education is aware of the longer-term residential growth that is being planned for Margaret River and the surrounding areas and is closely monitoring student enrolments to ensure that MRSHS has the capacity to accommodate all students that enrol in the school,” he said.

An Education Department spokesperson said reassessment of the school’s position would occur once 2023 enrolments were confirmed.