Deputy Premier of New South Wales and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car met with staff, parents and carers from the Murwillumbah community on Tuesday to hear their frustrations about the former Liberal National government’s flawed plan to carry out a mega-merger of four schools in the Murwillumbah area.
The former government pushed ahead with a plan to merge Murwillumbah Public School, Murwillumbah East Public School, Murwillumbah High School and Wollumbin High School without community consultation, and despite strong opposition from local stakeholder groups.
Prior to the election, the Minns Labor Government committed to reversing those poor decisions and returning four separate schools to the Murwillumbah community.
After being elected with a clear mandate from the local community, we are determined to get on with the job of delivering on our commitment.
The Department of Education recently held a series of consultations with local groups, including students, staff, parents and carers, to hear their views, ideas and concerns.
While consultations are ongoing, we are working to incorporate feedback already received into the final transition plan to the return to four schools in the area.
Already, the Minns Labor Government have taken three clear messages from early stages of the consultation:
1. Recognition: The former Liberal National government’s mega-merger destabilised the local community, and the Minns Labor Government is taking the following steps to provide certainty
- Students currently in Year 11 and 12 students will complete the HSC at their current high school.
- Parents will be able to access ongoing support through information evenings. Uniform vouchers will also be provided to parents if students are required to change between schools.
- For teachers at Murwillumbah schools, a support package will be prepared, including extending the current Murwillumbah staffing agreement to at least the end of 2027 to protect staff positions, even if enrolments change; provide special consideration for those wishing to move to other school settings, and support staff applying for special transfers; additional leave provision for staff who used their sick leave entitlements during the merger process; providing ongoing confidential support to all staff through the Employee Assistance Program and; providing ongoing support for staff as they return to separate schools.
2. Communicate: Share information with the community throughout the de-merger process
- Based on the results of feedback and consultation, the government will develop a plan and timeline for returning Murwillumbah High School and Wollumbin High School.
- Provide a clear outline of future works across at the Murwillumbah schools.
3. Collaborate: Harness opportunities across Murwillumbah’s school community
- As the schools return to having their own unique identity, continue ongoing collaboration between staff, finding more opportunities to share learning material and collaborate on curriculum.
Deputy Premier of New South Wales Prue Car said:
“I am so happy to be here today in Murwillumbah, to hear from the local communities about the best path forward for these four schools.
“We are here to listen to and understand the frustrations of this community, who were treated with a shocking amount of contempt by the former Liberal National government.
“Even though it was opposed, the former government pushed ahead with a highly unpopular mega-merger of four schools.
“We will not repeat those mistakes and have already used early results from consultations to create a new path for these school communities.
“We have already learned there are many opportunities to work together, grow and learn, and I believe we can have a positive impact here if we honour our commitment to listen to this important community.”
Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin said:
“I am so grateful that we are able to move forward on our election commitments, returning four schools to the Murwillumbah area as we listen to the community.
“We always promised that under a Minns Labor Government there would be no merging of Murwillumbah’s four schools.
“Now, we are committed to listening, learning, and getting things right in Murwillumbah.”