Minister’s Visit To Griffith Updates Community On High School Demerger

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning, Prue Car, joined by Member for Murray, Helen Dalton, met with teachers and parents for an update on the demerger of the Murrumbidgee Regional High School campuses on Tuesday, June 6.

Ms Car met with Principal David Crelley and school staff to ensure the demerger, when it occurs, causes minimal inconvenience to students, staff and the wider community.

She also spoke with parents to hear their views about the potential impact of the demerger process.

Ms Car has instructed the Department of Education to proceed the demerger plans as quickly as possible so that staff, parents and students can plan for the future.

She also asked the Department to review specific rules that currently penalise teachers who live and teach in Griffith and, therefore, receive lower entitlements than those who live in Griffith but work in nearby towns.

“I want to thank the Member for Murray, Helen Dalton for being a passionate advocate on this issue,” Ms Car said.

“I have heard loud and clear that Griffith wants two quality standalone public high schools rather than a merged one.

“We have a unique opportunity here to address the community’s concerns and find the right solution.”

Planned upgrades to both Murrumbidgee Regional High School campuses are also progressing, with a development application to be submitted for approval within a month.

Stage 2 of the school upgrades will see multipurpose halls built at both the Griffith and Wade sites, as well as refurbishments of the school library at the Griffith site.

Pending approvals, construction on the Griffith site will start by the end of 2023, while work will commence on the Wade site early 2024.

Ms Car said she was thrilled the school upgrades were progressing.

“I look forward to hearing more from the school community on this project,” she said.

“When we revert back to two standalone sites, the schools will have improved and expanded school infrastructure for families.”

The Department of Education is working on the concept designs of the upgrades, and as part of these, will be reviewing the final location of the Wade site hall in response to school community feedback.

The de-merger is supported by the Griffith Teachers Federation who met with Ms Dalton recently, supporting her calls for the two schools to return to operating independently.

Mrs Dalton said the de-merger must be completed as quickly and as seamlessly as possible.

• Topics:

• Education
• Politics