Merged school feedback

By Jonathon Howard

MINISTER FOR Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell remains committed to merging Murwillumbah’s four public schools and believes the new school will offer “incredible learning experiences”.

The Minister’s comments come during a tense time at the temporary Murwillumbah Learning Community High School, formerly Wollumbin High School.

Several parents have contacted The Weekly during the past fortnight to express their disappointment with the merger process and many are fearful for their children’s safety (see page 6)

The Weekly provided the Minister and Department of Education with a chance to respond to those concerns.

“The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government is committed to working with students, parents and the community to realise the benefits of the Murwillumbah Education Campus,” Minister Mitchell told The Weekly.

“The new schools will offer students an incredible learning experience and foster greater opportunities for our teachers.”

No formal complaints have been made since the start of Term 1, 2023, according to a Department of Education spokesperson.

“Currently there are 733 students enrolled at Murwillumbah Learning Community High School (MLCHS),” the spokesperson said.

“Ten students have transferred to other schools for a variety of individual reasons, including moving home.

“An additional 10 senior students were successful in gaining places at TAFE and apprenticeships.

“No teachers have transferred, left, resigned or retired from MLCHS since the start of the 2023 school year.

“The school has filled one vacant permanent position and is in the process of filling a substantive Head Teacher Support position.”

The Department of Education provided comments from several parents who are happy with the school merger thus far.

The parents have asked to remain anonymous in this report and the page 6 report.

A parent of a year 11 student said he’s enjoying the challenge of the change.

“He has a feeling of agency and a voice on the things that are happening,” the parent said.

“It’s the merge that’s given him this new scope of people, I think it’s broadening his opportunities.”

“I’m getting a bit frustrated with the negativity.

“For us it’s a really positive thing, why does change have to be bad? It can be a good thing too.”

A mother of a year 10 student said the “care and thoughtfulness” shown to her daughter by her teachers has been “amazing, particularly within the daily Kin Groups”.

“She has formed new relationships with her new teachers, she’s already been inspired by what they’re learning in class; she loves the opportunities including new sport options and new subject electives, which are all possible because there are more students,” the parent said.

“As a parent, I’m just grateful for all the hard work the teachers have done, the transition to Murwillumbah Learning Community High School has been so well organised.

“If this is what’s happening in a temporary space we are really looking forward to what the new campus will bring.”