Clontarf Aboriginal College has officially opened a 40-bed girls’ boarding facility.
The second stage of the college’s building program was declared open by State Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Peter Collier.
The opening ceremony also included a special blessing by Monsignor Michael Keating, Chairman of the Catholic Education Commission of Western Australia.
Funded through Western Australia’s Department of Indigenous Affairs, approximately three million dollars was spent to ensure the students at Clontarf were well cared for.
As a result, the days when students were brought to school by bus from hostels in North Beach and North Fremantle are gone.
Now, both boys and girls can be accommodated in the new state of the art boarding facilities.
Last October Queen Elizabeth II opened the 80-bed boy’s section of the Ngulla Mia boarding facility when she visited Perth for the Commonwealth Heads of State Government Meeting.
Clontarf’s Aboriginal Liaison Officer, Jill Hill is keen for the College to create a family atmosphere in the new facilities.
“We understand the anxiety of being away from home and therefore will create a safe and secure learning environment,” she said.
For Dave Moore, Head of Boarding at Clontarf, the new boarding facilities will provide a look into the future for young Aboriginal students.
He praised the architects for providing a modern facility designed on best practice.
“This on-site boarding facility allows the future of Clontarf to be positive and purposeful,” he said.