New city high school to be constructed in Reid building

The State Government will establish a new city high school next to the current Royal Adelaide Hospital, catering for 1000 students and opened for the beginning of Term 1, 2019.

The school, which will specialise in health and sciences, will be constructed following a refurbishment of the Reid Building on Frome Road.

Premier Jay Weatherill said the new city school presents an exciting opportunity for parents in the expanded Adelaide High School zone.

“This new city high school will be a world-class facility and is likely to be in high demand from parents living in the city and inner suburbs who are seeking the best educational outcomes for their children,” Mr Weatherill said.

“The school will specialise in health and sciences, preparing young South Australians for jobs in some of our fastest growing industries.

“The Government is investing $85 million into building the school, which will transform the current UniSA Reid Building into one of the nation’s best public high schools.”

The Reid Building and surrounding lands will be acquired from the University of South Australia for $30 million.

Deputy Premier John Rau said the Reid Building was the best choice for the new school, offering close proximity to open space and transport.

“The State Government has been in discussions with UniSA over purchasing the building since it was identified as a possibility,” he said.

“The University are looking to move these existing services to their new building currently under construction on North Terrace, consolidating their current research effort.

The city high school zone will be expanded to include Bowden, Brompton, Hindmarsh, Hilton, Kurralta Park, Glandore, Black Forest, Nailsworth, Medindie, Medindie Gardens, Gilberton, Walkerville, Collinswood,

as well as eastern parts of Torrensville, Mile End, Richmond, Marleston and the section of Clarence Park zoned to Black Forest Primary School.

A committee involving governing councils, teachers, principals and the Department will be established to set new enrolment policies for both city High Schools.

Education and Child Development Minister Susan Close said the school zoning included a significant expansion northward as well as reaching further west.

“We’re excited that even more young people in inner-city suburbs will have access to the CBD schools,” Dr Close said.

“We recently increased capacity at Adelaide High School from 1,200 to 1,450 students, and this new school will allow 1,000 more students from Adelaide’s inner-city suburbs to attend a modern, top-class facility.

“With its educational focus on health and science and its proximity to the universities, we hope this high school will encourage young people to pursue tertiary studies and enter careers in those high-demand fields.

“All South Australian students deserve the chance to achieve their potential and the Government is delivering on its commitment to provide the highest-quality education to our youth.”

Work will begin immediately to plan and prepare for the delivery of the new school, with building work expected to commence within the next 12 months.

Source: News Release, Government of South Australia, 9 June, 2015

http://www.premier.sa.gov.au/images/news_releases/2015/15_06Jun/cityschool.pdf