Schools struggle to cope

Bunbury's private schools are starting to feel the strain as population growth in the South West has caused waiting lists for some year groups to skyrocket.

The South West Development Commission expects more than 40,000 additional residents in the region by 2021, with most of those settling in the coastal strip between the shire of Busselton and Greater Bunbury.

Last year, Bunbury Catholic College announced it was planning to branch out to a new site at Australind.

“We have solid enrolments and waiting lists in all year groups, which further supports our decision to build a second BCC campus in Australind in 2015, ” principal Denise O’Meara said.

Bunbury Cathedral Grammar School now has nearly 1000 students enrolled and parents are placing their children on the school’s waiting list years before they are due to start.

“Our school has grown steadily over the past 40 years and is still continuing to grow, ” BCGS principal Michael Giles said.

“The school regularly considers its likely enrolment numbers and has recently expanded its Kindergarten to Year 2 offering to cater for two classes at each year level.”

Grace Christian School principal Hugo de Ridder said while his school had not reached capacity, places were limited in some year groups.

“Our current student population is around 520 and some waiting lists do exist, ” he said.

“The year groups most affected are middle and upper primary.”

The State Government is aware of the lack of education facilities in the South West with a new primary school, Tuart Forest, opening at Dalyellup this year and another just starting construction at Treendale to open next year.