The brand new North Perth Westfield Elementary school is up and running for its first school year.
Principal Kathy Boyd says the new school is an amazing place to teach and for staff and students to call home.
"It's a big change to go from something so comfortable and familiar to something that's big and new," she said. "Nobody could get in for a long time so there was a sense of worry and wonder, wondering will it be too big, or how will it feel, and I think it really does feel like home."
After a welcoming ceremony held for local dignitaries and trustees Thursday afternoon, Boyd spoke about the great advantage of having the North Perth Spinrite Child and Family Centre attached to the school.
"I think we're really luck as a community to have the early years and daycare centre attached to the school," she said. "We're gonna have kids in this building from infancy to 14, and that doesn't happen everywhere, how lucky we are that we will know those students and what they need so well."
Head architect Terry Marklevitz was also in attendance yesterday, and he played a key role in making the school happen. He says he's proud to have been a part of creating the new school for staff and students.
"Two things for me; first of all, we stand here and look at it and wonder why it wasn't always here," he said. "You work so long and think well, yes it's here, but it isn't it starts as just an idea. It is really great, and I said today, it's all about the kids, and the kids are what make the school necessary, but it's the kids that bring it to life."
Marklevitz says he's also proud to be part of the group that made the school a reality.
"I'm tremendously proud but I'm also proud of all the people that came together to make this," said Marklevitz. "I'm just one part and get my name on it as architect, but there were guys out here in the middle of snow storms putting up concrete block, or digging holes or running pipe. They have as much a part of this building as I do."
The main lobby of the North Perth Westfield Elementary school.
The gymnasium at North Perth Westfield Elementary, home of the Westfield Warriors.
North Perth Westfield Elementary's Princiapl Kathy Boyd, welcoming local dignitaries and school board trustees to the school. October 28th, 2016.
Head architect Terry Marklevitz of Marklevitz Architects, addressing the crowd at the welcoming ceremony at North Perth Westfield Elementary.
The official plaque at North Perth Westfield Elementary, unveiled at an official welcoming ceremony. October 28th, 2016.
The entrance to the North Perth Spinrite Child and Family Centre, attached to North Perth Westfield Elementary.
The entire front view of North Perth Westfield Elementary, alongside the North Perth Spinrite Child and Family Centre.