South Fremantle Senior High School has kicked off as the region’s newest independent public school, enrolling its first-ever bunch of year 7s and with big plans for its future.

Principal Geri Hardy reckons looming independence was an important factor in the Lefroy Road campus being chosen over Hamilton SHS to become home to the new Fremantle College when the schools amalgamate in 2018.

Ms Hardy says the college will keep all specialist and vocational programs run now by the two schools, and will also introduce a gifted academic stream for year 7s.

“As well as welcoming 10 new teachers into the school, this year we have enrolled 200 new students in years 7 and 8 and another 60 across the other year groups,” Ms Hardy says.