Western Cape College�s Napranum Campus students to transfer to Weipa

Education Minister Rod Welford today announced the Napranum Campus of Western Cape College would be closed at the end of the 2005 school year and its current students would be transferred to the Weipa Campus.

Mr Welford said students would be able to access far more educational opportunities at Weipa, which is 15 kilometres away.

�Weipa Campus is larger and offers a wider range of academic, social and sporting activities which will benefit the students,� he said.

�Students who have previously transferred to Weipa from Napranum have shown a noticeable improvement in their schooling. The students get to access a wider range of experiences and gain from mixing with other students.

�Facilities at Weipa campus are being expanded to accommodate growth in student enrolments, including the Napranum students. There will be three extra classrooms, a new covered area for Years 4 to 6 students and additional student and staff amenities. 

�Extensive consultation has been held this year about the closure of Napranum and it has clearly shown there is broad support from the community for the move.�

There are currently 48 students in Years 1 to 6 who attend Napranum campus.

Mr Welford said support would be provided to all transferring students and their families to prepare for, and adjust to, the transfer.

�Assistant teachers will liaise with families about the changes and assist students get to their new school,� he said.

�A comprehensive transition program will be provided in Term 4 of this year, which will help familiarise students with their new program at Weipa.

�The transition process will help with issues such as new routines and rules of behaviour, transportation, lunches, adapting to a different environment, making new friends and other matters of concern to the community.

�Queensland Transport is also organising additional bus services to transport the students to Weipa.�

Mr Welford said all permanent staff at Napranum would be offered alternative positions. This could include positions at Weipa or at another school.

Discussions between the State Government, the Napranum Council, the Elders and the Justice Group are still underway about the future use of the Napranum site. 

Tony Fuller

Director, Western Cape College