SEPTEMBER 14, 2016 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
NEWS + SPORT + THE WEST’S BEST PROPERTY GUIDE
Bilingual classes dropped ‘‘
We have concerns about the process
’’
- Nicholas Cowell
“The decision has been about ensuring our curriculum is clearly focused and addresses the challenge of FPS having too many priorities,” he said. “Our first priority is ensuring all our students – including those from non-English speaking backgrounds – get a strong grounding in literacy, numeracy and inquiry to set them up for future success and learning.” But Mr Cowell said many families had chosen the school on the basis of the bilingual program, whether they were from Vietnamese backgrounds or simply attracted to the benefits of bilingual learning. The group of parents is seeking a freeze on the changes until an independent review is carried out. A petition against the changes is being circulated at the school and an online petition had attracted close to 80 signatures by Tuesday.
(Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
Victoria’s only Vietnamese bilingual school program is set to be axed after Footscray Primary School decided to dump it from its curriculum. But a campaign is under way to save the language-immersion program, one of only a dozen in the state and the only one of its type in the western suburbs. A group of parents is seeking urgent intervention from Education Minister James Merlino to save the school’s long-running practice of classes being taught in Vietnamese for up to five hours a week. Parents found out about the dumping via a school newsletter sent home late last month. School principal Philip Fox cited concerns of some staff and problems with a crowded curriculum as factors in the axing from next year. The newsletter stated a “leadership team” had reached the decision to cut language learning back to two hours a week based on curriculum feedback from more than 150 families over 18 months. But a number of parents have told Star Weekly they were blindsided by the move. Nicholas Cowell, who has two children at the school, said the program had run for close to two decades and the decision would change the identity of the school. He said parents were dismayed by the lack of consultation and questioned whether all families even realised the decision had been made, given the newsletter was sent home with pupils and not translated into Vietnamese. “We have concerns about the process and that the decision doesn’t recognise
the value of the program,” he said. “My children find the subjects to be challenging but in a positive way.” According to the education department’s website, benefits of bilingual education include increasing respect for other cultures. In a written response via the department, Mr Fox said the decision followed almost two years of consultation through a working group comprising teachers, school council members and parents.
(Supplied)
By Benjamin Millar
MADDIE JANSSEN AND JESSICA GALLAGHER
Pedal to the medal Seddon Paralympian Jessica Gallagher, 30, has made history as the first Australian to win a medal at summer and winter Games. The vision-impaired cyclist, with pilot Maddie Janssen, set a Paralympic record time en route to a bronze, adding to medals she collected in the 2010 and 2014 winter Games. Gallagher’s record was soon bettered, but the medal brought sweet relief after she missed out on the 2008 Beijing Games in controversial circumstances. ■ Full story, page 7
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