The Minister for Education and Skills, Nick McKim, today announced the first two schools on the North West Coast to access the Schools Transition Fund.

Mr McKim said today that Moriarty and Wesley Vale Primary Schools have agreed to amalgamate into a new entity from the beginning of the 2013 school year on the current Wesley Vale Primary School site.

"In considering the best possible outcomes for their students, both school communities decided to discuss opportunities through the School Transition Fund set up this year," Mr McKim said.

 "The State Government established the $3.5 million School Transition Fund to encourage innovation within school communities who wished to voluntarily co-locate, amalgamate, close or explore other options relating to their future.

  "A School Transition Steering Committee will be set up to work with the school community on a number of matters including a new school name, a new uniform and a new school mission statement.

 "The Government will fund the new school uniforms.

 "Playground equipment will be relocated from the Moriarty site to the current Wesley Vale Primary School site.

 "School memorabilia from both schools will also be displayed in the new school."

 Mr McKim congratulated both school associations on their leadership and their strong commitment in working together to further strengthen educational provision for students from these two schools.

 "This is the third successful submission to be granted funds from the School Transition Fund and another wonderful example of school communities being empowered to make local decisions about their future.

 "This has been a community-owned and led process."

 Mr McKim said the amalgamation will save the Government approximately $560,000 over three years after meeting indicative initial costs.