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We have a long history of providing high-quality care and boarding facilities for students from the Wheatbelt region.

Established during the Second World War, the residential college was the first government boarding hostel in Western Australia. Well known for creating a caring environment, we provide delicious and healthy food, organise fun activities for students, and communicate well with parents.

Students

We currently have 32 students boarding at Merredin Residential College. Most of our students are from farming communities in the Wheatbelt. Coming from small communities, they enjoy living in a country town with a welcoming community and strong country values. Students also enjoy the amenities of a regional centre.

Whilst at our college, students from Years 7 to 12 attend school at Merredin College.

Quite a few of the students visit home on weekends and during the week. Boarding in Merredin, rather than in Perth, makes it easier for parents to organise visits. Parents can pick their children up from school or from train stations along the train line from Perth to Kalgoorlie. Your child is free to go home whenever agreed with you, as there are no restrictions on student leave.

Staff

The skilled and dedicated staff at Merredin Residential College provide the best standard of care to our students 24 hours a day. Under the direction of College Manager Caine Denyer our supervisors and staff provide a range of positive role models for your child to grow and learn from. Our supervisors aim to develop and maintain positive relationships with parents and your child’s school to ensure your child’s progress is monitored and that they are reaching their potential in their secondary education and personal development. 

To ensure the best possible standard of duty of care, all supervisory staff hold current qualifications, including: 

• Certificate IV in Community Services - Student Residential Care (CHC42021)
• Provide First Aid (HLTAID011) certificate and Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) (HLTAID009) certificate
• water safety qualifications including Surf Rescue Certificate (SRC), Bronze Medallion and Aquatic Rescue for Group 3 Pools
• bus driver’s license with Passenger Transport Declaration (PTD) Authorisation

Our staff also include a manager of corporate services, cooks, cleaners and a grounds person, who all aid in the day to day operations of the residential college.

School

Merredin College

Merredin College is a comprehensive school that provides educational programs from Kindergarten to Year 12. It has approximately 600 students and welcomes regional students.

Your child has access to innovative, flexible pathways for learning with a wide range of academic and vocational subjects. In Years 7 to 10, a challenging program is provided in the core areas. In Years 11 and 12, students select from a range of courses that lead to university, Technical and Further Education (TAFE) or employment.

Discover more about the school from the Merredin College website.

Community

Merredin is a small community with a population of over 3600. It is located 268km east of Perth in a pastoral and farming district. It is a regional centre with a pharmacy, dentist, doctors and district hospital. Merredin also offers fantastic sporting facilities with a wide range of sports available to all students.

Find out more about Merredin from the Shire of Merredin and Central Wheatbelt Visitor Centre websites

The college has strong ties to the community. To enhance this connection we have a Local Input Networking and Communications (LINC) committee at the college. The LINC is made up of representatives from the community and provides advice and support to the manager and staff regarding the operation and management of the college. The LINC committee promotes the college and ensures that activities are in the best interest of students.