The significant issue of a merger of several Murwillumbah schools has been ongoing since 2020 when the then State Government announced via Sarah Mitchell MP that four public schools would be amalgamated into a single Kindergarten to Year 12 campus at Murwillumbah High.
It was clear from the outset that this was not something that any of the school communities wanted, yet the government continued to foist it upon students, teachers and families in the Murwillumbah area, but the government was determined to push ahead saying there was plenty of support for the project.
An election promise
The new Labor Government said that if elected they would stop the merger and yesterday they announced their intention to do just that.
Deputy Premier of New South Wales, Prue Car, who is also Minister for Education and Early announced that the Minns Labor Government is committed to the demerger of the Murwillumbah Education Campus in consultation with the community. ‘The Member for Lismore, Janelle Saffin, and I have had an initial, fruitful and clarifying meeting with the NSW Department of Education about the needs of each of the four school sites.
‘The Department, in collaboration with myself and the Member for Lismore, is finalising plans for consultation with the community.
Government committed to the demerger
‘I want to be clear that the government is committed to the demerger of the high school and the retention of the two high schools and the two primary schools as separate schools. We are now working to deliver that commitment in a timely and inclusive manner.
P&C President at Murwillumbah East Public School, Kylie Rose, said she was very pleased to see this confirmation from the Minister. ‘Our beautiful public schools will be staying open!’
‘Our community fought so hard to save our schools.
‘This statement from the Education Minister will be a great relief to many.
‘Labor went to the last election promising to keep these schools open if elected. We didn’t get a say in the previous government’s decision to close these schools but my goodness didn’t we have our say at the ballot box!’
Thank you Janelle
‘Thank you to Janelle Saffin MP for honouring her election commitment to keep all four of our public schools open.’
Ms Car said the department has stopped infrastructure-related activities on the Murwillumbah Education Campus project and will work with the community on supporting the four schools into the future.
‘The Member for Lismore and I will engage in a community consultation process to ensure the disruption to students and staff is minimised during this period.
‘I look forward to visiting soon to meet with the community and the local member.
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