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Fremantle high schools to merge

Two Fremantle schools will be amalgamated to form a new state secondary school, the Education Minister announced today.

South Fremantle Senior High School, which has about 300 students, and Hamilton Senior High School, with 440 students, will merge to form a new college with a capacity of 1250 students.

“After consultation with the community, I am pleased to announce Fremantle College (planning name) will be formed through the amalgamation of Hamilton Senior High School and South Fremantle Senior High School,” Education Minister Peter Collier said.

“The people of Fremantle and surrounding areas have clearly signalled they want a school that offers students a breadth of curriculum leading to both university entrance and training opportunities.”

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South Fremantle Senior High School. File picture: The West Australian

The new school will include a Gifted and Talented Selective Academic program. It will retain the maritime Trade Training Centre and continue an established commitment to sustainability as a carbon neutral school.

“The existing South Fremantle site will be substantially upgraded and expanded to create Fremantle College, at a cost of about $30 million. That will be offset by the sale of the Hamilton site,” he said.

The Minister said the new college, planned to be open in 2018, would be an Independent Public School for years 7 to 12 with a school board to provide strategic direction and governance.

“We can only do this by having a larger number of students and ensuring the college has strong pastoral care and support programs for students,” he said.

The planned changes will not affect John Curtin College of the Arts.

Mr Collier said the Mid-Year Review will include $250,000 for the Department of Education to refine cost estimates for inclusion in the 2015-16 State Budget.