❓ A parliamentary question regarding the potential closure of St Cecilia's Catholic middle school in Port Hedland and its impact on local education and fly-in/fly-out workers. The Minister's response indicates limited government intervention in the Catholic school's decision.
AnsweredQoN 350Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Does the minister agree that Catholic schools in country areas provide a necessary educational alternative for parents, thus reducing the incidence of fly in, fly out and benefiting the overall infrastructure of these country communities? (2) Is the minister aware that the Port Hedland Catholic middle school, St Cecilia’s, which caters for years 8, 9 and 10, is set to close at the end of this school year? (3) If so, does the minister support this closure? (4) If the answer to (3) is no, will the minister advise the House if he has made representation to the Catholic Education Office to keep the school open? (5) If the minister has not made representation to the Catholic Education Office, will he do so before the end of the school year 2002? (6) Is the minister aware that there is no alternative choice of senior education in Port Hedland and that many of these children will have to move to Perth to obtain an education, thereby increasing the rate of fly in, fly out within the town? (7) How many extra places can the South Hedland High School adequately accommodate at present without employing additional teaching staff to cater for students wishing to achieve a high educational standard? Hon GRAHAM GIFFARD
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of this question. The minister advises as follows - (1) No. (2) The Catholic Education Office has informed the Department of Education Services that existing enrolments may continue at the school, if that is a parent’s wish. No new year 8 enrolments are to be taken in 2003. The Catholic Education Office is currently determining the number of existing students who will remain. (3) The Catholic Education Office, like all schools and systems, has examined the curriculum and financial viability of maintaining a secondary school for a low number of students and determined that it cannot maintain a viable operation. (4) The future of the secondary classes at the school is entirely a matter for decision by the Catholic Education Office. (5) See (4). (6) The Government provides secondary education at years 8 to 12 in the town. (7) It is customary for staffing at government schools to adjust to student numbers. If enrolments increase at Hedland Senior High School, staffing will be reviewed and changed as needed.
(2) Is the minister aware that the Port Hedland Catholic middle school, St Cecilia’s, which caters for years 8, 9 and 10, is set to close at the end of this school year? (3) If so, does the minister support this closure? (4) If the answer to (3) is no, will the minister advise the House if he has made representation to the Catholic Education Office to keep the school open? (5) If the minister has not made representation to the Catholic Education Office, will he do so before the end of the school year 2002? (6) Is the minister aware that there is no alternative choice of senior education in Port Hedland and that many of these children will have to move to Perth to obtain an education, thereby increasing the rate of fly in, fly out within the town? (7) How many extra places can the South Hedland High School adequately accommodate at present without employing additional teaching staff to cater for students wishing to achieve a high educational standard? Hon GRAHAM GIFFARD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The minister advises as follows - (1) No. (2) The Catholic Education Office has informed the Department of Education Services that existing enrolments may continue at the school, if that is a parent’s wish. No new year 8 enrolments are to be taken in 2003. The Catholic Education Office is currently determining the number of existing students who will remain. (3) The Catholic Education Office, like all schools and systems, has examined the curriculum and financial viability of maintaining a secondary school for a low number of students and determined that it cannot maintain a viable operation. (4) The future of the secondary classes at the school is entirely a matter for decision by the Catholic Education Office. (5) See (4). (6) The Government provides secondary education at years 8 to 12 in the town. (7) It is customary for staffing at government schools to adjust to student numbers. If enrolments increase at Hedland Senior High School, staffing will be reviewed and changed as needed.
(3) If so, does the minister support this closure? (4) If the answer to (3) is no, will the minister advise the House if he has made representation to the Catholic Education Office to keep the school open? (5) If the minister has not made representation to the Catholic Education Office, will he do so before the end of the school year 2002? (6) Is the minister aware that there is no alternative choice of senior education in Port Hedland and that many of these children will have to move to Perth to obtain an education, thereby increasing the rate of fly in, fly out within the town? (7) How many extra places can the South Hedland High School adequately accommodate at present without employing additional teaching staff to cater for students wishing to achieve a high educational standard? Hon GRAHAM GIFFARD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The minister advises as follows - (1) No. (2) The Catholic Education Office has informed the Department of Education Services that existing enrolments may continue at the school, if that is a parent’s wish. No new year 8 enrolments are to be taken in 2003. The Catholic Education Office is currently determining the number of existing students who will remain. (3) The Catholic Education Office, like all schools and systems, has examined the curriculum and financial viability of maintaining a secondary school for a low number of students and determined that it cannot maintain a viable operation. (4) The future of the secondary classes at the school is entirely a matter for decision by the Catholic Education Office. (5) See (4). (6) The Government provides secondary education at years 8 to 12 in the town. (7) It is customary for staffing at government schools to adjust to student numbers. If enrolments increase at Hedland Senior High School, staffing will be reviewed and changed as needed.
(4) If the answer to (3) is no, will the minister advise the House if he has made representation to the Catholic Education Office to keep the school open? (5) If the minister has not made representation to the Catholic Education Office, will he do so before the end of the school year 2002? (6) Is the minister aware that there is no alternative choice of senior education in Port Hedland and that many of these children will have to move to Perth to obtain an education, thereby increasing the rate of fly in, fly out within the town? (7) How many extra places can the South Hedland High School adequately accommodate at present without employing additional teaching staff to cater for students wishing to achieve a high educational standard? Hon GRAHAM GIFFARD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The minister advises as follows - (1) No. (2) The Catholic Education Office has informed the Department of Education Services that existing enrolments may continue at the school, if that is a parent’s wish. No new year 8 enrolments are to be taken in 2003. The Catholic Education Office is currently determining the number of existing students who will remain. (3) The Catholic Education Office, like all schools and systems, has examined the curriculum and financial viability of maintaining a secondary school for a low number of students and determined that it cannot maintain a viable operation. (4) The future of the secondary classes at the school is entirely a matter for decision by the Catholic Education Office. (5) See (4). (6) The Government provides secondary education at years 8 to 12 in the town. (7) It is customary for staffing at government schools to adjust to student numbers. If enrolments increase at Hedland Senior High School, staffing will be reviewed and changed as needed.
(5) If the minister has not made representation to the Catholic Education Office, will he do so before the end of the school year 2002? (6) Is the minister aware that there is no alternative choice of senior education in Port Hedland and that many of these children will have to move to Perth to obtain an education, thereby increasing the rate of fly in, fly out within the town? (7) How many extra places can the South Hedland High School adequately accommodate at present without employing additional teaching staff to cater for students wishing to achieve a high educational standard? Hon GRAHAM GIFFARD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The minister advises as follows - (1) No. (2) The Catholic Education Office has informed the Department of Education Services that existing enrolments may continue at the school, if that is a parent’s wish. No new year 8 enrolments are to be taken in 2003. The Catholic Education Office is currently determining the number of existing students who will remain. (3) The Catholic Education Office, like all schools and systems, has examined the curriculum and financial viability of maintaining a secondary school for a low number of students and determined that it cannot maintain a viable operation. (4) The future of the secondary classes at the school is entirely a matter for decision by the Catholic Education Office. (5) See (4). (6) The Government provides secondary education at years 8 to 12 in the town. (7) It is customary for staffing at government schools to adjust to student numbers. If enrolments increase at Hedland Senior High School, staffing will be reviewed and changed as needed.
(6) Is the minister aware that there is no alternative choice of senior education in Port Hedland and that many of these children will have to move to Perth to obtain an education, thereby increasing the rate of fly in, fly out within the town? (7) How many extra places can the South Hedland High School adequately accommodate at present without employing additional teaching staff to cater for students wishing to achieve a high educational standard? Hon GRAHAM GIFFARD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The minister advises as follows - (1) No. (2) The Catholic Education Office has informed the Department of Education Services that existing enrolments may continue at the school, if that is a parent’s wish. No new year 8 enrolments are to be taken in 2003. The Catholic Education Office is currently determining the number of existing students who will remain. (3) The Catholic Education Office, like all schools and systems, has examined the curriculum and financial viability of maintaining a secondary school for a low number of students and determined that it cannot maintain a viable operation. (4) The future of the secondary classes at the school is entirely a matter for decision by the Catholic Education Office. (5) See (4). (6) The Government provides secondary education at years 8 to 12 in the town. (7) It is customary for staffing at government schools to adjust to student numbers. If enrolments increase at Hedland Senior High School, staffing will be reviewed and changed as needed.
(7) How many extra places can the South Hedland High School adequately accommodate at present without employing additional teaching staff to cater for students wishing to achieve a high educational standard? Hon GRAHAM GIFFARD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The minister advises as follows - (1) No. (2) The Catholic Education Office has informed the Department of Education Services that existing enrolments may continue at the school, if that is a parent’s wish. No new year 8 enrolments are to be taken in 2003. The Catholic Education Office is currently determining the number of existing students who will remain. (3) The Catholic Education Office, like all schools and systems, has examined the curriculum and financial viability of maintaining a secondary school for a low number of students and determined that it cannot maintain a viable operation. (4) The future of the secondary classes at the school is entirely a matter for decision by the Catholic Education Office. (5) See (4). (6) The Government provides secondary education at years 8 to 12 in the town. (7) It is customary for staffing at government schools to adjust to student numbers. If enrolments increase at Hedland Senior High School, staffing will be reviewed and changed as needed.
Hon GRAHAM GIFFARD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The minister advises as follows - (1) No. (2) The Catholic Education Office has informed the Department of Education Services that existing enrolments may continue at the school, if that is a parent’s wish. No new year 8 enrolments are to be taken in 2003. The Catholic Education Office is currently determining the number of existing students who will remain. (3) The Catholic Education Office, like all schools and systems, has examined the curriculum and financial viability of maintaining a secondary school for a low number of students and determined that it cannot maintain a viable operation. (4) The future of the secondary classes at the school is entirely a matter for decision by the Catholic Education Office. (5) See (4). (6) The Government provides secondary education at years 8 to 12 in the town. (7) It is customary for staffing at government schools to adjust to student numbers. If enrolments increase at Hedland Senior High School, staffing will be reviewed and changed as needed.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. The minister advises as follows - (1) No. (2) The Catholic Education Office has informed the Department of Education Services that existing enrolments may continue at the school, if that is a parent’s wish. No new year 8 enrolments are to be taken in 2003. The Catholic Education Office is currently determining the number of existing students who will remain. (3) The Catholic Education Office, like all schools and systems, has examined the curriculum and financial viability of maintaining a secondary school for a low number of students and determined that it cannot maintain a viable operation. (4) The future of the secondary classes at the school is entirely a matter for decision by the Catholic Education Office. (5) See (4). (6) The Government provides secondary education at years 8 to 12 in the town. (7) It is customary for staffing at government schools to adjust to student numbers. If enrolments increase at Hedland Senior High School, staffing will be reviewed and changed as needed.
(2) The Catholic Education Office has informed the Department of Education Services that existing enrolments may continue at the school, if that is a parent’s wish. No new year 8 enrolments are to be taken in 2003. The Catholic Education Office is currently determining the number of existing students who will remain. (3) The Catholic Education Office, like all schools and systems, has examined the curriculum and financial viability of maintaining a secondary school for a low number of students and determined that it cannot maintain a viable operation. (4) The future of the secondary classes at the school is entirely a matter for decision by the Catholic Education Office. (5) See (4). (6) The Government provides secondary education at years 8 to 12 in the town. (7) It is customary for staffing at government schools to adjust to student numbers. If enrolments increase at Hedland Senior High School, staffing will be reviewed and changed as needed.
(3) The Catholic Education Office, like all schools and systems, has examined the curriculum and financial viability of maintaining a secondary school for a low number of students and determined that it cannot maintain a viable operation. (4) The future of the secondary classes at the school is entirely a matter for decision by the Catholic Education Office. (5) See (4). (6) The Government provides secondary education at years 8 to 12 in the town. (7) It is customary for staffing at government schools to adjust to student numbers. If enrolments increase at Hedland Senior High School, staffing will be reviewed and changed as needed.
(4) The future of the secondary classes at the school is entirely a matter for decision by the Catholic Education Office. (5) See (4). (6) The Government provides secondary education at years 8 to 12 in the town. (7) It is customary for staffing at government schools to adjust to student numbers. If enrolments increase at Hedland Senior High School, staffing will be reviewed and changed as needed.
(5) See (4). (6) The Government provides secondary education at years 8 to 12 in the town. (7) It is customary for staffing at government schools to adjust to student numbers. If enrolments increase at Hedland Senior High School, staffing will be reviewed and changed as needed.
(6) The Government provides secondary education at years 8 to 12 in the town. (7) It is customary for staffing at government schools to adjust to student numbers. If enrolments increase at Hedland Senior High School, staffing will be reviewed and changed as needed.
(7) It is customary for staffing at government schools to adjust to student numbers. If enrolments increase at Hedland Senior High School, staffing will be reviewed and changed as needed.
(2) Is the minister aware that the Port Hedland Catholic middle school, St Cecilia’s, which caters for years 8, 9 and 10, is set to close at the end of this school year? (3) If so, does the minister support this closure? (4) If the answer to (3) is no, will the minister advise the House if he has made representation to the Catholic Education Office to keep the school open? (5) If the minister has not made representation to the Catholic Education Office, will he do so before the end of the school year 2002? (6) Is the minister aware that there is no alternative choice of senior education in Port Hedland and that many of these children will have to move to Perth to obtain an education, thereby increasing the rate of fly in, fly out within the town? (7) How many extra places can the South Hedland High School adequately accommodate at present without employing additional teaching staff to cater for students wishing to achieve a high educational standard? Hon GRAHAM GIFFARD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The minister advises as follows - (1) No. (2) The Catholic Education Office has informed the Department of Education Services that existing enrolments may continue at the school, if that is a parent’s wish. No new year 8 enrolments are to be taken in 2003. The Catholic Education Office is currently determining the number of existing students who will remain. (3) The Catholic Education Office, like all schools and systems, has examined the curriculum and financial viability of maintaining a secondary school for a low number of students and determined that it cannot maintain a viable operation. (4) The future of the secondary classes at the school is entirely a matter for decision by the Catholic Education Office. (5) See (4). (6) The Government provides secondary education at years 8 to 12 in the town. (7) It is customary for staffing at government schools to adjust to student numbers. If enrolments increase at Hedland Senior High School, staffing will be reviewed and changed as needed.
(3) If so, does the minister support this closure? (4) If the answer to (3) is no, will the minister advise the House if he has made representation to the Catholic Education Office to keep the school open? (5) If the minister has not made representation to the Catholic Education Office, will he do so before the end of the school year 2002? (6) Is the minister aware that there is no alternative choice of senior education in Port Hedland and that many of these children will have to move to Perth to obtain an education, thereby increasing the rate of fly in, fly out within the town? (7) How many extra places can the South Hedland High School adequately accommodate at present without employing additional teaching staff to cater for students wishing to achieve a high educational standard? Hon GRAHAM GIFFARD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The minister advises as follows - (1) No. (2) The Catholic Education Office has informed the Department of Education Services that existing enrolments may continue at the school, if that is a parent’s wish. No new year 8 enrolments are to be taken in 2003. The Catholic Education Office is currently determining the number of existing students who will remain. (3) The Catholic Education Office, like all schools and systems, has examined the curriculum and financial viability of maintaining a secondary school for a low number of students and determined that it cannot maintain a viable operation. (4) The future of the secondary classes at the school is entirely a matter for decision by the Catholic Education Office. (5) See (4). (6) The Government provides secondary education at years 8 to 12 in the town. (7) It is customary for staffing at government schools to adjust to student numbers. If enrolments increase at Hedland Senior High School, staffing will be reviewed and changed as needed.
(4) If the answer to (3) is no, will the minister advise the House if he has made representation to the Catholic Education Office to keep the school open? (5) If the minister has not made representation to the Catholic Education Office, will he do so before the end of the school year 2002? (6) Is the minister aware that there is no alternative choice of senior education in Port Hedland and that many of these children will have to move to Perth to obtain an education, thereby increasing the rate of fly in, fly out within the town? (7) How many extra places can the South Hedland High School adequately accommodate at present without employing additional teaching staff to cater for students wishing to achieve a high educational standard? Hon GRAHAM GIFFARD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The minister advises as follows - (1) No. (2) The Catholic Education Office has informed the Department of Education Services that existing enrolments may continue at the school, if that is a parent’s wish. No new year 8 enrolments are to be taken in 2003. The Catholic Education Office is currently determining the number of existing students who will remain. (3) The Catholic Education Office, like all schools and systems, has examined the curriculum and financial viability of maintaining a secondary school for a low number of students and determined that it cannot maintain a viable operation. (4) The future of the secondary classes at the school is entirely a matter for decision by the Catholic Education Office. (5) See (4). (6) The Government provides secondary education at years 8 to 12 in the town. (7) It is customary for staffing at government schools to adjust to student numbers. If enrolments increase at Hedland Senior High School, staffing will be reviewed and changed as needed.
(5) If the minister has not made representation to the Catholic Education Office, will he do so before the end of the school year 2002? (6) Is the minister aware that there is no alternative choice of senior education in Port Hedland and that many of these children will have to move to Perth to obtain an education, thereby increasing the rate of fly in, fly out within the town? (7) How many extra places can the South Hedland High School adequately accommodate at present without employing additional teaching staff to cater for students wishing to achieve a high educational standard? Hon GRAHAM GIFFARD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The minister advises as follows - (1) No. (2) The Catholic Education Office has informed the Department of Education Services that existing enrolments may continue at the school, if that is a parent’s wish. No new year 8 enrolments are to be taken in 2003. The Catholic Education Office is currently determining the number of existing students who will remain. (3) The Catholic Education Office, like all schools and systems, has examined the curriculum and financial viability of maintaining a secondary school for a low number of students and determined that it cannot maintain a viable operation. (4) The future of the secondary classes at the school is entirely a matter for decision by the Catholic Education Office. (5) See (4). (6) The Government provides secondary education at years 8 to 12 in the town. (7) It is customary for staffing at government schools to adjust to student numbers. If enrolments increase at Hedland Senior High School, staffing will be reviewed and changed as needed.
(6) Is the minister aware that there is no alternative choice of senior education in Port Hedland and that many of these children will have to move to Perth to obtain an education, thereby increasing the rate of fly in, fly out within the town? (7) How many extra places can the South Hedland High School adequately accommodate at present without employing additional teaching staff to cater for students wishing to achieve a high educational standard? Hon GRAHAM GIFFARD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The minister advises as follows - (1) No. (2) The Catholic Education Office has informed the Department of Education Services that existing enrolments may continue at the school, if that is a parent’s wish. No new year 8 enrolments are to be taken in 2003. The Catholic Education Office is currently determining the number of existing students who will remain. (3) The Catholic Education Office, like all schools and systems, has examined the curriculum and financial viability of maintaining a secondary school for a low number of students and determined that it cannot maintain a viable operation. (4) The future of the secondary classes at the school is entirely a matter for decision by the Catholic Education Office. (5) See (4). (6) The Government provides secondary education at years 8 to 12 in the town. (7) It is customary for staffing at government schools to adjust to student numbers. If enrolments increase at Hedland Senior High School, staffing will be reviewed and changed as needed.
(7) How many extra places can the South Hedland High School adequately accommodate at present without employing additional teaching staff to cater for students wishing to achieve a high educational standard? Hon GRAHAM GIFFARD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The minister advises as follows - (1) No. (2) The Catholic Education Office has informed the Department of Education Services that existing enrolments may continue at the school, if that is a parent’s wish. No new year 8 enrolments are to be taken in 2003. The Catholic Education Office is currently determining the number of existing students who will remain. (3) The Catholic Education Office, like all schools and systems, has examined the curriculum and financial viability of maintaining a secondary school for a low number of students and determined that it cannot maintain a viable operation. (4) The future of the secondary classes at the school is entirely a matter for decision by the Catholic Education Office. (5) See (4). (6) The Government provides secondary education at years 8 to 12 in the town. (7) It is customary for staffing at government schools to adjust to student numbers. If enrolments increase at Hedland Senior High School, staffing will be reviewed and changed as needed.
Hon GRAHAM GIFFARD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The minister advises as follows - (1) No. (2) The Catholic Education Office has informed the Department of Education Services that existing enrolments may continue at the school, if that is a parent’s wish. No new year 8 enrolments are to be taken in 2003. The Catholic Education Office is currently determining the number of existing students who will remain. (3) The Catholic Education Office, like all schools and systems, has examined the curriculum and financial viability of maintaining a secondary school for a low number of students and determined that it cannot maintain a viable operation. (4) The future of the secondary classes at the school is entirely a matter for decision by the Catholic Education Office. (5) See (4). (6) The Government provides secondary education at years 8 to 12 in the town. (7) It is customary for staffing at government schools to adjust to student numbers. If enrolments increase at Hedland Senior High School, staffing will be reviewed and changed as needed.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. The minister advises as follows - (1) No. (2) The Catholic Education Office has informed the Department of Education Services that existing enrolments may continue at the school, if that is a parent’s wish. No new year 8 enrolments are to be taken in 2003. The Catholic Education Office is currently determining the number of existing students who will remain. (3) The Catholic Education Office, like all schools and systems, has examined the curriculum and financial viability of maintaining a secondary school for a low number of students and determined that it cannot maintain a viable operation. (4) The future of the secondary classes at the school is entirely a matter for decision by the Catholic Education Office. (5) See (4). (6) The Government provides secondary education at years 8 to 12 in the town. (7) It is customary for staffing at government schools to adjust to student numbers. If enrolments increase at Hedland Senior High School, staffing will be reviewed and changed as needed.
(2) The Catholic Education Office has informed the Department of Education Services that existing enrolments may continue at the school, if that is a parent’s wish. No new year 8 enrolments are to be taken in 2003. The Catholic Education Office is currently determining the number of existing students who will remain. (3) The Catholic Education Office, like all schools and systems, has examined the curriculum and financial viability of maintaining a secondary school for a low number of students and determined that it cannot maintain a viable operation. (4) The future of the secondary classes at the school is entirely a matter for decision by the Catholic Education Office. (5) See (4). (6) The Government provides secondary education at years 8 to 12 in the town. (7) It is customary for staffing at government schools to adjust to student numbers. If enrolments increase at Hedland Senior High School, staffing will be reviewed and changed as needed.
(3) The Catholic Education Office, like all schools and systems, has examined the curriculum and financial viability of maintaining a secondary school for a low number of students and determined that it cannot maintain a viable operation. (4) The future of the secondary classes at the school is entirely a matter for decision by the Catholic Education Office. (5) See (4). (6) The Government provides secondary education at years 8 to 12 in the town. (7) It is customary for staffing at government schools to adjust to student numbers. If enrolments increase at Hedland Senior High School, staffing will be reviewed and changed as needed.
(4) The future of the secondary classes at the school is entirely a matter for decision by the Catholic Education Office. (5) See (4). (6) The Government provides secondary education at years 8 to 12 in the town. (7) It is customary for staffing at government schools to adjust to student numbers. If enrolments increase at Hedland Senior High School, staffing will be reviewed and changed as needed.
(5) See (4). (6) The Government provides secondary education at years 8 to 12 in the town. (7) It is customary for staffing at government schools to adjust to student numbers. If enrolments increase at Hedland Senior High School, staffing will be reviewed and changed as needed.
(6) The Government provides secondary education at years 8 to 12 in the town. (7) It is customary for staffing at government schools to adjust to student numbers. If enrolments increase at Hedland Senior High School, staffing will be reviewed and changed as needed.
(7) It is customary for staffing at government schools to adjust to student numbers. If enrolments increase at Hedland Senior High School, staffing will be reviewed and changed as needed.
Explore WA Government Data
Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.
Explore more
Government Gazette
Appointments, regulatory notices, planning changes.
Hansard
Debates, questions, speeches and sentiment.
Tabled Papers
Reports and documents tabled in Parliament.
Committees
Committee profiles and recent reports.
Regulations
Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.