School given $2.5m gift

An independent community school in Perth has received a $2.5 million gift, after being donated the property and assets of another school that has closed its doors.

The board of Maylands-based KIDS Open Learning School (KOLS) has decided to gift its assets to Bold Park Community School, which is located in Wembley.

The 1,700 square metre property comprises a converted church building, additional classrooms and storage and a large workshop space.

The site also includes a small three-bedroom home, along with a large play area.

The KOLS Association owns the property and assets at the Maylands location outright with an estimated value of over $2.5 million (plus assets and money at bank).

Bold Park said it planned to use the property to expand its middle school and college, with a likely opening in 2020.

Bold Park principal Paul Whitehand said the school was extremely grateful to KOLS.

“We are honoured by the confidence they have demonstrated in Bold Park Community School and our leadership team,” he said.

“Obviously, this announcement has been months in the making with much work taking place behind the scenes to bring to fruition.

"I would like to acknowledge the work of Neil Campbell (acting chair of KOLS since October 2017), Sue Wyatt, Lei Baker, Nicole Hunter, our Team Leaders, the BPCS board and the support of Ron Gorman and our friends at The Association of Independent Schools in Western Australia."