A high school named in honour of late former Labor prime minister Bob Hawke is among new schools opening in Perth this year to cater for the growing student population.
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A statue of Mr Hawke by West Australian artist Jon Tarry has been installed in the foyer and was unveiled by Premier Mark McGowan before the public school year starting on Monday.
Students at Bob Hawke College in Kitchener Park will have access to the adjacent Subiaco Oval, the former home of football in WA, where grandstands have been demolished but the historic gate has been retained.
WA's Department of Education says the school will initially enrol 250 year 7 students and grow to an estimated 1500 students through to Year 12 by 2025, with a capacity for up to 2000 students in the future.
Other secondary schools will open this year in Alkimos and Hammond Park, while Baldivis, Banksia Grove, Byford and Caversham will gain new primary schools.
"About 468,000 WA students from kindergarten to year 12 will go to school on Monday, including more than 317,000 in public schools," Education Minister Sue Ellery said.
"This is about 8000 students more than the number of students who were at all WA public and non-government schools last year."
WA is among four states to ban mobile phone use at school in an effort to prevent distraction and curb cyberbullying.
Exemptions can be made by teachers for educational purposes or for students with medical conditions.
In another major change, year 11 students will be provided a third "middle ground" option to obtain their WA Certificate of Education.
Students who do not wish to pursue a direct route to university or a vocational pathway can instead select five "general" subjects, allowing them to keep their options open.
Australian Associated Press
