School appoints new principal

With Baynton West Primary School due to open its doors next year, the decision on who will be principal has been made.

Lisa Ledger has moved from her position as principal at Tom Price Primary School to take on the new and exciting role.

Ms Ledger said when the position for principal at the new school was advertised she was unsure about applying, but now could not be more thrilled with her decision.

“I can remember driving past this spot and asking what was going to be built there,” she said.

“My dream was always to be principal at a new school.”

Baynton West will be the first school in Australia to open as an independent public school. Because the school is independent, Ms Ledger was appointed to her position as principal by a board of parents. The same board, along

with Ms Ledger, was used to appoint Kate Lyon and Will Davis as deputy principals.

Ms Ledger promised the school would be “by the community for the community” and said all decisions would be made in the best interests of those who would be using it.

Artwork will be decided by parents, as will the uniform, emblems and core values. Ms Ledger said with enrolments

now open for the school, paperwork and enquiries were coming in quickly.

“We expect to have 250 to 300 students for next year,” she said.

“Currently there are about 160 confirmed.” School capacity from next year will be for about 500 students, but there is space on the block for future growth.

“My personal aim is for all children living in Baynton and Baynton West to be students at this school,” Ms Ledger said.

Classes will start on the same day as every other public school in WA next year, on Monday, February 4.