Harrison High to be built early
Apr 29, 2009
Gungahlin’s rapid growth brings construction forward.
Construction of Harrison High School will start as early as March next year with next week’s budget to contain $43.5 million to build the new school.
The funds allocated over three years, should allow the school to be up and running for the start of the 2012 school year and quell demand for schooling in the burgeoning Gungahlin region. The school will cater for up to 800 students in years 6 to 10 and is expected to honour the ACT Governments’ commitment of average class sizes of 21 students. Enrolments are expected to be staggered and the school will service the communities of Harrison, Franklin, Gungahlin and Forde. Construction is expected to begin in March or April next year.
ACT Education Minister Andrew Barr said the construction of the school had been brought forward a year as the Gungahlin region continued to experience strong population growth, generating extra demand for a range of services and facilities.
Enrolments at Harrison Primary School have also risen by 226 students from 2008 to reach 526 students this year. According to figures in the Regional Population Growth, Australia, 2007-08 report, issued by the Australian Bureau of Statistics last week, the Gungahlin-Hall region grew by 2,900 people between 2007 and 2008 to a population of almost 38,000 in 2008. Harrison was one of the main areas of growth, increasing by 1,500 people in the period to 3,700.
Mr Barr said, “And that’s why we are investing in the new Gungahlin College, to be located along with CIT facilities and sporting facilities very near the Gungahlin town centre. “With suburbs such as Bonner coming on line we are in the initial stages of planning for new primary schools in the area.”
Mr Barr said Harrison High School would also cater for special needs students with inclusive settings providing opportunities for students to be integrated into mainstream educational programs. The high school will also be “co-located with Harrison Primary School, “to ensure students move from Harrison Primary School to Harrison High as seamlessly as possible”. “As with all new school facilities Harrison will feature the latest thinking in environmentally sustainable design and the provision of equipment such as ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) and broadband internet connection,” he said. “The school will also help promote physical activity as part of a well rounded education being located closely to new ovals being developed just across Horse Park Drive from the school.”
Senior facilities at the school will include classrooms, specialist teaching areas, a gymnasium, external play areas, landscaped courtyards and a performing arts facility. Mr Barr said facilities such as the performing arts centre will be available to the community after hours.
A design working group has been established for the school which includes representatives from interest groups and community members, to ensure the views of the community are reflected in the final design. About $1.5 million has already been allocated for design work bringing the cost of the school to about $45 million.
Source: The Canberra Times – 29 April 2009.
The Canberra Times is published by The Federal Capital Press Pty Ltd - 9 Pirie Street, Fyshwick.
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