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Monday, September 11, 2023
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Fire guts old tech school
Parent of year 11 student speaks about despair the families face due to The Academy cancellation
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LEFT IN THE LURCH: Kathy and Archy Cohalan upended their lives to move to Wangaratta from Baranduda for The Academy and now they’re left with shattered prospects. PHOTO: Kurt Hickling
Where to now?
DEVASTATION is the word the mother of year 11 student Archy Cohalan used after they found out The Academy, an elite sports course, would come to an end next month. The Cohalan family put their lives on hold last year and moved from Baranduda to Wangaratta so Archy could complete his senior studies in an environment that follows his passion with like minded students. He and other year 11 students entered into the AFL football based program, founded by former
BY STEVE KELLY skelly@ nemedia.com.au
Richmond player Alex Rance, excited to complete their studies in a football environment, but their prospects were shattered when they were told the course was not continuing beyond this year. The reason for the discontinuation of the partnership
between The Academy and GOTAFE was it was no longer financially viable, according to a statement, with little other explanation as to why this was the case. Archy’s Mum, Kathy Cohalan, told the Wangaratta Chronicle that parents and students were feeling hollow after they were told in an online meeting last week to find other educational options. “In the Zoom meeting Rance sat stony faced and did not offer one apology - it was it’s no longer feasible and we’re shutting down
at the end of the year,” Ms Cohalan said. “It totally blindsided us because we thought if he’s going to close he would at least see the year 11s through to the end of year 12, but not even that. “They said they’ve been in touch with Galen and they’re more than happy to take you on and you can get your vocational major through them. “But Galen is not a like for like program and does not suit these boys. ■ Continued page 2
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