Mixed emotions over school merger

By Jonathon Howard

THERE WERE mixed emotions from several senior students and parents on their first day back to school at the former Wollumbin High School on Tuesday, January 31.

Wollumbin High has undergone renovations in the holiday period, including the installation of 19 new classrooms to accomodate the 752 enrolled students.

The now former Murwillumbah High students have joined their peers at Wollumbin High to complete their senior studies under the new title Murwillumbah Learning Community High School (MLCHS).

The NSW Minister for Education and Early Learning, Sarah Mitchell, said “this is an exciting time for families in Northern NSW” as the Liberal and Nationals government deliver a brand-new education campus in Murwillumbah.

Minister Mitchell was referring to the redevelopment of the former Murwillumbah High School, with works expected to get underway this year in a move that will merge all four Murwillumbah public schools by 2024.

“This week students from Murwillumbah and Wollumbin high schools, will begin learning from the same site,” Ms Mitchell said.

“This is an important milestone for the school community as students begin to develop school culture and friendship.”

On background, the minister said the decision to co-locate the two high schools at the Wollumbin site was made and announced in late 2021,

“following consultation with students, staff and parents”.

“Local educational leaders made this decision based on a range of factors, including the benefits it offers including allowing staff and students to work together before transitioning to the merged high school at the campus in 2024,” the minister’s background notes state.

The Weekly met with local mother Alison Parr outside the school just prior to assembly to hear her thoughts on the merger and hopes for the year ahead.

Ms Parr said she was concerned about how all the schools are being merged and does “not believe it was well thought through”.

“I think many students are expressing mixed emotions about how it will work, especially those senior students who are at a critical point in their education,” she said.

Ms Parr’s daughter Audrey O’Donnell-Parr is starting year 11 and was unsure if she would return to Wollumbin High to finish.

“I had a lot of mixed emotions,” she said.

“I wasn’t sure if I’d be back, but I’m staying positive to support each other through the process.”

A friend of Audrey’s and fellow year 11 student Daisy Stocks said she shared the same views as Audrey and was trying to stay positive.

A Department of Education spokesperson told The Weekly that it has delivered temporary, pop-up facilities, including 19 classrooms to accommodate the 752 students — a combined population of the four schools and new enrolments.

The Weekly spoke with six of the eight newly appointed school captains who will share the captaincy roles.

A former Murwillumbah High captain and year 12 student said she had mixed emotions.

“There’s still a lot of memories from the previous school,” the student said.

A second fellow Murwillumbah High captain said she was going to miss the previous school.

“But it’s good to have a fresh start,” she said.

Another Murwillumbah High captain said she’s going to miss the agricultural farm at Murwillumbah High and visiting it every day.

It was noted that the Murwilumbah High School agricultural program will continue to operate.

Another Wollumbin High captain said it was a “bittersweet feeling”.

“Very worried but hopeful for new opportunities,” the captain said.

Another Wollumbin High captain said it’s a “new experience for us all”.

“But in the long run it will be a great opportunity to have a new start,” the student said.

The Department of Education also commented on supply issues for school uniforms, which meant many students were permitted to wear casual attire or their former school uniforms until supplies are replenished.

“Due to an unavoidable supply issue, the delivery of school uniforms has been impacted,” the Department spokesperson said.

“As a result, students will be able to wear last year’s uniforms or casual clothes appropriate for school during term one until supply arrives.”

MLCHS principal Peter Howes said he was delighted to welcome the two school communities to the Wollumbin High site.

“I would like to thank all the students, staff and families for your patience and support as we undertake the complex task of bringing two schools together,” Mr Howes wrote in the principal’s message.

YOUR THOUGHTS: The Weekly would like to hear your thoughts on the new school? Send your thoughts and letters to editor@theweekly.net.au