Ministerial Statement

Adelaide Botanic High School

The Hon. S.E. CLOSE (Port Adelaide—Minister for Education and Child Development, Minister for Higher Education and Skills) (14:02): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. S.E. CLOSE: Today, I announced that the state government's proposed name for the new CBD high school located on Frome Road is Adelaide Botanic High School. This is a great occasion for contemporary education in South Australia as we build a new school that offers the most modern of facilities for our children, delivering on the state government's commitment to build a second high school in the city.

I would like to take the opportunity to thank the member for Wright, the Hon. Jennifer Rankine, whose leadership and hard work on this project have led to this announcement. As minister for education and child development, Ms Rankine began the process to plan for and deliver this new school, which will serve our state so well into the future.

The new name reflects the school's location, close to the magnificent Adelaide Botanic Garden, and its specialisation in science and health. This central location, located in the Adelaide Parklands and next door to the Adelaide Zoo, will give easy access for students to universities, museums, the State Library, performing arts facilities and green space. It will allow students, parents and teachers to connect with the large walking, cycling and public transport network that surrounds the school. This will give many options for students to travel in and out of the area.

The school is due to open from term 1 in 2019 and will provide 1,250 students with greater access to high-quality secondary schooling. The school will have a single shared zone with Adelaide High School from 2019. The current zone for Adelaide High School has been made larger, and those within this zone will have a choice of nominating which school they would like their children to attend.

The new zone will be expanded to include Bowden, Brompton, Hindmarsh, Hilton, Kurralta Park, Glandore, Black Forest, Nailsworth, Medindie, Medindie Gardens, Gilberton, Walkerville and Collinswood, as well as eastern parts of Torrensville, Mile End, Richmond, Marleston and the section of Clarence Park zoned to Black Forest Primary School. This gives the people in this zone a choice of two excellent secondary schools.

The recent $26 million expansion and redevelopment of Adelaide High set a new benchmark for public education in South Australia, with its modern facilities. The new Adelaide Botanic High School will have learning spaces designed to cater for a contemporary, multidisciplinary approach to learning, which mirrors what students can expect when they go on to tertiary study or the modern workplace. The new school will have a specialist health and sciences program, while Adelaide High School will retain the existing specialist programs in languages, cricket and rowing.

I am also delighted to announce that a recommendation has been made for the new school's principal. Alistair Brown, currently the Heathfield High School principal, is the recommended candidate to lead the state's new $100 million school. Mr Brown has a strong background in public education and is a great choice to head up this new school. He has spent 35 years as a teacher and held leadership positions in numerous metropolitan and country locations, beginning his career at Croydon High School in 1982. Mr Brown has significant experience in leading school initiatives and driving strategic direction and school priorities.

I am delighted to announce this progress today on delivering our election promise of a second high school in the Adelaide CBD. In addition to other major capital works, including the $250 million investment in STEM facilities in our schools across the state, this will ensure our children have the facilities they need to receive a high-quality education that sets them up for the future.