Paul Bibby
Murwillumbah’s four public schools will be amalgamated into a single Kindergarten to Year 12 campus at Murwillumbah High, the state government has announced.
Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning
Deputy Premier John Barilaro and Education Minister Sarah Mitchell announced today that Murwillumbah Public School, Murwillumbah East Public School, Murwillumbah High School and Wollumbin High School will be combined to form a single $100 million Murwillumbah Education Campus.
Ms Mitchell said the new mega school would cater to up to 1,500 students, and follow a four-year rebuilding project.
She pledged that no permanent teaching jobs would be lost, and spruiked the ‘community benefits’ of the plan, including the possible joint use of sporting, arts and health facilities.
‘The new Murwillumbah Education Campus will truly be at the heart of the community, and I look forward to seeing it take shape over the next few years,’ Ms Mitchell said.
However, local state and Federal Labor members are up in arms over the announcement, which they say effectively involves the closure of three schools.
Labor Member for the State Seat of Lismore, Janelle Saffin said the snap announcement required full and frank consultation with teaching staff, the NSW Teachers Federation and Parents and Citizens Associations.
‘NSW Labor obtained a briefing paper to Minister Mitchell which reveals that the amalgamation of four schools to form the MEC in 2024 will change the staffing allocation and potentially displace some teaching and support staff,’ Ms Saffin said.
‘I am seeking a guarantee from the NSW Government that all current teaching and support staff jobs will be retained under this shake-up of public education in Murwillumbah because this cannot be implemented as a cruel cost-cutting exercise; it must be about improved educational outcomes.
‘I am seeking guarantees that any proposed change is only ever based on the needs of our children. That means better educational services and opportunities, state-of-the-art teaching facilities, and better support for students with disabilities.
‘I also am seeking a guarantee that public land stays in public hands and is not flogged off to private developers.’
The project’s next steps include planning and design. Community engagement will be ongoing throughout the duration of the project.
OMG .. how to throw money and downgrade public education at the same time.
So we can no longer escape the bullies. All in for the hanging school. Google that. Disgraceful.
This is nothing more than a cruel cost cutting exercise to downgrade public education . Dressed up as something new and exciting . It’s a trojan horse to do away with three of our schools . Where exactly is this mega school going to reside ? The only vacant land at Murwillumbah High is two sports ovals one of which floods . That’s going to accommodate another three schools ? It’s high time the Nationals and their totally crazy stupid ideas , plonking a hospital on class 1 A agricultural land , threatening to bring down the NSW Government because they couldn’t make a significant contribution to Koala extinction , getting land clearing laws watered down to the point they may as well not exist , coal seam gas , the list goes on . Time the Nationals were eradicated from the political landscape and we should all be working together to do just that .
I am appalled at our teachers and Principals for not sharing and giving the community and parents the chance to fight this. It’s hard enough trying to find a school that can help educate your children and nurture their talents as it is. This means that a child whom gets expelled will be forced to go to another town or suburb to continue their education. Don’t low income families have enough to worry about,this is another way to kick them while they are down!
So does this involve demolishing the grand Mur’bah High original building? I hope not. When these cost cutting exercises are made we all lose out. The richness of the fabric of our local culture is once again diminished because of “funding.” Murwillumbah needs more sympathetic attention and funding for all of it’s existing schools. Say $100,000,000s worth! This is a certain cop out. Thanks LNP for yet another backward step!
Finally a chance to get some good outcomes in town. Wollumbin is a dreadful school. My kids hated it. Fish rots from the head down. Our kids deserve better. Bring it on. Good riddance to bad rubbish.
I am a 5th generation with nieces & nephews in this lovely little town they haven’t asked us locals about our opinion ohh that’s right we DONT HAVE MONEY TO THROW AT THEM WE ALL NEED TO STOP THIS NOW BEFORE IT GETS TOO FAR ALONG..