The contentious amalgamation of four Murwillumbah schools into one mega-school has been abandoned, as promised by Lismore MP Janelle Saffin and then opposition leader Chris Minns if Labor won the NSW election.
The $100 million merger of four Murwillumbah schools was announced in October 2020 by the then Liberal-National NSW state government and was met with strong community opposition.
The merger was to see the two Murwillumbah high schools, Murwillumbah High School and Wollumbin High School, and the two primary schools, Murwillumbah Public School, Murwillumbah East Public School, combined to form the single $100m Murwillumbah Education Campus. This was to cater for up to 1,500 students and to be placed at the Murwillumbah Public School site.
‘The upcoming re-opening of Murwillumbah High School, Wollumbin High School, alongside Murwillumbah East Public School and Murwillumbah Public School, on Day 1, Term 1, 2025, will mark the delivery of an election commitment by the Minns Labor Government to halt the former Government’s failed mega-merger project, which began four years ago,’ stated a press release from Ms Saffin’s office.
Community victory
Kylie Rose, former President of the Murwillumbah East Public School (MEPS) P&C, who was been one of the key community members leading the opposition to the amalgamation told The Echo, ‘Working together we saved Murwillumbah’s schools. What a wonderful example of a community victory.’
‘With the advocacy of our community and the support of our local Labor representatives Justine Elliot and Janelle Saffin all four of our public schools will remain open. It is great to see Labor delivering on the final part of their commitment with the demerger of the high schools.’
During the campaign to retain the four schools there were claims that there was a land grab going on by the LNP government as well as the revelation that the mega-school would see a reduction in overall staff.
On October 21, 2021 Minister Mitchell told NSW Parliament Upper House Question Time stated that staffing projections based on 2020 enrolment numbers indicate that, when combined, there would be 3.42 fewer teaching service positions and 1.262 fewer school administrative and support staff [SASS] positions in the primary school, and 15.5 fewer teaching service positions and 3.082 fewer SASS positions in the secondary setting (Source: Hansard).
Schools upgraded
Murwillumbah High School and Wollumbin High School have both undergone significant refurbishments under the Minns Labor government.
At Murwillumbah High School, upgrade works have delivered more than 40 refurbished classrooms and specialist spaces, including three science labs, two wood workshops, two metal workshops, and a food tech kitchen, a new darkroom, as well as a new Student Support Unit, refurbished school library and hall, upgraded front office, staff, and administration spaces, and outdoor areas with new landscaping and play areas.
‘As we look forward to welcoming everyone back for the new school year, we are excited to foster a strong sense of identity, pride, and connection within our new school community.,’ said Murwillumbah High School Principal Zoe Tiernan.
Further work will see the delivery of a new canteen and final landscaping works to the grounds throughout Terms one and two.
‘We have worked with the community to ensure our local schools were delivered the upgrades they needed, so all our students can thrive right here in the Northern Rivers,’ said Ms Saffin.
‘It is fantastic to see our four public schools returned to the Murwillumbah community. Returning our four public schools back to the community marks the completion of a key election commitment that I am proud the Minns Labor government has delivered for our community.’
Students at Wollumbin High School will return on day one, term one to a refurbished canteen, a refenced and repainted sports court, new football goal posts, refurbished student toilets, a new pottery kiln, and refreshed classrooms with new paint and carpet.
Planned upgrade works at Wollumbin High School in the coming months will include the relocation of existing music rooms to make way for a new specialist support unit with modern facilities.
At Murwillumbah East Public School, works are underway to upgrade the school’s ventilation and lighting. Further upgrades are planned for the school including for new classrooms, a new library, canteen, and facilities for specialist support classes.
At Murwillumbah Public School there has been investment in school maintenance works, with the installation of a new roof on the heritage-listed building in Block D, covered walkway extensions, and refurbishment of student toilets all now complete.
‘We are looking forward to a new school year, confident that we can build on the outstanding programs we have run in the last two years, receiving state and national recognition for their excellence,’ said Murwillumbah Public School Principal Les Daley.
Work is also underway to deliver new air conditioning in all classrooms.
‘It is great to see Labor delivering on the final part of their commitment with the demerger of the high schools,’ said Ms Rose.
‘The upgrades to Murwillumbah High are welcomed by the entire school community and I am sure we are all looking forward to the completion of planned upgrades for all of our local public schools.
I hope we can now put the previous LNP government’s merger debacle behind us and focus on rebuilding our beautiful small school communities.’
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