With Durrumbul School student enrolments declining to zero for 2023, the NSW Department of Education has told The Echo that the school, located on Main Arm Road, ‘will be placed into recess at the end of Term 1, 2023, after extensive consultation with parents, carers and the school community’.
The spokesperson added, ‘Recess does not mean closure of the school’, and, ‘The school’s director held numerous meetings with the school community at the end of 2022’.
‘Should enrolment applications be received in the future, consultation will be undertaken regarding the school coming out of recess and resuming operation’, they said.
The NSW Department of Education spokesperson did not respond to The Echo’s questions as to whether they were considering selling the valuable public asset.
Eureka Public open
Meanwhile, the spokesperson confirmed that ‘The Eureka Public School is open’.
The Echo understands that some Durrumbul School equipment has now been thrown away rather than donated to other schools and education facilities, including sporting equipment and laptop bags.
It is so sad that another of our historic public schools may have to close.
One of the first things local settler/pioneers did together was to build a school, often doubling as their community hall.
Perhaps some nearby home-schoolers, alternates and fresh young new arrivals could get together and save it?
If it is not retained in Community (on past results in similar cases), it will be sold-off and disappear for ever into the housing market.
I was just thinking that about home-schoolers. Where I am they have to rent the CWA hall for group activities.