School set to benefit from $9.8m funds

North Albany Senior High School principal Sharon Doohan says a share of $9.8 million in funding has come at the perfect time for the school.

The cash boost is part of the State Budget handed down on Thursday, with funding for NASHS and Albany Secondary Education Support Centre among the highlights for Albany.

The high school will get six new classrooms and eight refurbished rooms to help cater for growing enrolments.

“For both schools this funding allocation provides us with an opportunity to provide really good resources and facilities for the students,” Ms Doohan said.

“Our school is 37 years old, so this funding is coming in at a great time for us to expand and improve our facilitates.

“I think the learning environment is so important for students so having these facilities being built is going to provide our students with exactly what they need for their future.”

The support centre will receive new and upgraded facilities, including a life skills room to provide students with confidence to live independently, and a new sensory room designed to develop students’ senses through lighting, colours, sounds and objects.

Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery said it was important for schools to have learning facilities that suited the needs of their students, including those with disability.

“Peter Watson took me to visit Albany Secondary Education Support Centre recently and I saw for myself the fantastic work the teachers and staff do, but also the need for more classrooms to help with growing enrolments and specialist facilities to help support students’ learning,” she said.

Albany MLA Mr Watson said Albany Secondary Education Support Centre was critical for students to develop their skills and independence while receiving a quality education close to home.

In what has been described as a “boring Budget” by some pundits, the Great Southern also received $30 million for upgrades to South Coast Highway between Albany and Jerramungup.

Albany Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Caroline Hayes said a key factor of the budget was support for local business in the tendering process.

“We welcome the plan to make Government tenders more accessible for small business, which could increase local employment opportunities,” she said.