Cessnock City Council has joined the fight to save Wollombi Public School and will seek an urgent meeting with the NSW Minister for Education to urge him not to close the school.
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The five-student school was flagged for closure in November last year, and a community consultative group has since been reviewing the educational provisions of the Wollombi Valley.
Cr. James Ryan successfully moved, as a motion of urgency, that council request the Minister (Adrian Piccoli) and Duty Member for Cessnock, Trevor Khan meet with the Mayor and Ward A councillors regarding the proposed closure of the school.
The motion also asked that Mr. Piccoli direct the Department of Education to work with council’s community planner to assess the number of infants and primary school aged children living within the Wollombi Public School catchment; and further to assess the undeveloped capacity of the catchment to house an increased population.
Council will request the minister to make available the demographic data and reasoning on which the Department has based its assumptions so far, and will include in its letter to the minister a request that he meet with the residents group of Wollombi including parents of children at the school.
“I am very pleased to say that Cessnock Council is standing up in support of Wollombi School and small schools in general,” Cr. Ryan said.
“The Wollombi school has been operating continuously since 1852 and is part of the fabric of the community.
“It’s clear to me that until certainty is restored to the school and the minister agrees not to close it, it will be difficult to convince more parents to send their children there.
“By creating a cloud of uncertainty, the department is contributing to low enrolments.”
Wollombi Public School P&C president Lindy Williams said she was heartened by the community support the school has received – particularly at a public meeting last Tuesday night, which was attended by about 60 people.
The meeting also resolved that the minister be asked to meet with the school community, and also to ask for a five-year reprieve in order to try and grow the school’s enrolment numbers.
Ms. Williams said the appointment of a merit-selected principal and along with innovative programs would help the school boost its student population.
More than 400 people have signed an online petition at that asks Mr. Piccoli “please don’t close Wollombi school”. Find the petition at www.change.org to add your name.
