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9 June 2005
Monash Primary School Closure
Although none of
the concerned residents and other community groups have been extended the
courtesy of being advised, it has become apparent the Monash Primary School
Council has voted in favour of closing the school. Parents and the Department of
Education and Training have been notified. We are suspicious that several of the
parents on this council may have been under pressure to vote for the closure.
This decision has not been a surprise given:
· The very low enrolments and total absence of advertising for pupils for next year.
· The clear perception given by the acting principle of the school at a public meeting that she intended to proceed with the course of action in hand regardless of community feeling.
We believe that the only reason a public meeting was held was because the matter was raised in Parliament by local member, Andrew Brideson, and that the meeting was a hollow “going through the motions” gesture.)
We draw this conclusion because:
· Prior to this public meeting the school and its acting principle refused to meet with or discuss the possibility of the school’s closure and fate with anyone.
· Since the School Council meeting the wall of silence has resumed.
WE DO NOT ACCEPT
THIS SECRETIVE AND ILL-CONCEIVED DECISION. OUR VIEW IS THAT IT CANNOT BE TAKEN
WITHOUT A FULL REVIEW OF HOW THE SCHOOL GOT INTO THE POSITION AND WHAT WOULD BE
REQUIRED TO TURN IT AROUND.
These questions need to be asked since 20 years ago, Monash Primary was
considered one of the best schools in the whole of Melbourne.
In our earlier article on this subject, we pointed out the inconsistency of this decision in the light of the area surrounding the school being designated a Special Activity Centre for Education and Health. We questioned and continue to question the ability of the Education Department and Planning Department to work together for the common good of the area and consistency of objectives. We will continue with our objections and commentary on this issue.
Since our
original article the Monash Council has released its preliminary strategic plan
for this Special Activity Centre. We will comment in due course on the plan, but
what needs to be said here is that the area of the activity centre is much
larger than we originally anticipated, and the school is near its geographic
centre!
Andrew Brideson the local Liberal member in the state Legislative Council has
agreed to bring the subject of the school’s closure up in Parliament next week.
The Nottinghill Residents Action Group and Mr Brideson are also being supported
by the shadow education minister. A partition signed by many concerned residents
in the local community will be tabled in Parliament next week.
Questions that need definitive answers are:
1. Why did the number of pupils at Monash primary drop like they did?
2. What action plan is in place for schools to tap into, to bring up their enrolments?
3. What does the Education Department do to help schools with low numbers - what has been done for Monash Primary School”
4. Why are some schools so better resourced than others, that small schools get out-competed - do we want this? Look at the high schools, some have so many facilities everyone wants to attend. However they become "zoned" and you can’t send your kids anyway even though they are public schools.
5.
How can community support be harnessed properly by the school and
utilised as it should be?
Schools should not close because of mismanagement and apathy! The
Education Department seems to have a very serious and detrimental organization
culture problem.
Philip Daw
President, Monash Ratepayers Association
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