Bulli is the local public high school for children who live within the purple patch, For the rest, Heathcote is the designated high school. Source: NSW Government’s Public School Finder
THE LINE THAT DIVIDES OUR SCHOOL STUDENTS Naomi Burley, Helensburgh Public School P&C president, has written a letter to the 2508 community, asking for help.
Families residing in the 2508 area have for many years been supplied high school enrolment forms from the Department of Education, which offered the choice to enrol their children at either Heathcote High School or Bulli High School as their local school. This recognised the unique location, and ties of the 2508 community to both the north and south. This has been ideal for families with strong ties to southern Sydney as well as those with family, work or other commitments toward Wollongong, safe in the knowledge that the wellbeing of their children and family planning had sensibly been acknowledged by the Department of Education with a straightforward local enrolment process. Parents at Helensburgh Public School were surprised when they were notified on 10th April 2019 that students living in Helensburgh, Stanwell Tops and Darkes Forest were in fact, apparently,
‘NO CHANGE IN ENROLMENT AREAS’
On April 15, 2508 requested information on a ‘historical error’, possibly dating back to the 1980s, that led Helensburgh parents to believe their children had the choice of two high schools: Bulli or Heathcote. On June 21, a NSW Education Department spokesperson issued this response: “NSW public schools have specific local enrolment areas. These areas are determined by the Department of Education. Students enrol in public schools based on their home address. “All public schools ensure there are enough places for students in their local enrolment area. “Schools may accept enrolments from outside their area if places are available, a provision which
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zoned for local enrolment at Heathcote High School only, while those families living in Otford or Stanwell Park were zoned for Bulli High School. It has been acknowledged by the Department of Education that for many years families have had, in practice, the choice of both Heathcote High School and Bulli High School as their local school. As a P&C representing the parent community we are concerned the Department of Education has removed the long-accepted practice without adequate consultation with stakeholders. There is no critical reason to remove this choice. Restricting students to apply as out-of-area enrolments to Bulli HS leaves them vulnerable to changes in DET ideology around quotas in the future. Social and community connections vary for families in our area. Some families have stronger ties to the Illawarra, while others are more engaged with the Sutherland Shire. The wellbeing of ALL our kids matters. To restrict the option to enrol at either Bulli High School or Heathcote High School would be to the detriment of these students, their wellbeing, and their community networks. We are asking that the Minister for Education, The Hon Sarah Mitchell, to officially endorse the option of two local high schools for our area as has been the case for over 30 years. How can you help? Let the people who can change this policy know why this is important to our community and your family. Write to the Minister for Education, Sarah Mitchell https://www.nsw.gov.au/yourgovernment/ministers/minister-for-educationand-early-childhood-learning/ Contact our Local MP Mr Lee Evans: 9548 0144. Subscribe to the P&C for email updates: pandchps@gmail.com There will be more information in the next issue regarding a community meeting with all the relevant stakeholders. 2508 applies across NSW including in the Helensburgh and surrounding areas. “There has been no change in the enrolment areas for Bulli High School or Heathcote High School, but Helensburgh Public School has acknowledged that for some years incorrect information was provided to parents of Year 6 students preparing to enrol them in high school. “This error was acknowledged and apologised for in a letter emailed to all the school’s Year 6 parents on April 10. “The Director, Educational Leadership, Wollongong North, met Helensburgh Public School Year 6 parents on April 30 to explain the situation, and again with the school’s P&C on June 11.” 2508