Education Department has failed Walgett

The Editor,

As a former school teacher who has spent my entire career in challenging schools, I am prepared to work with the NSW Minister on solutions for the Walgett Community College. The Minister just needs to drop the politics and the secrecy and accept my help.

I know the structures, the programs and initiatives that should be in place to improve Walgett because I have designed and successfully implemented them in other schools.

Based on the information that has been given to me, there should have been an attendance plan in place for this school. The attendance has dropped so low that one should have been triggered.

The Department seemingly failed to act in this regard. They have also failed to recognise the unique nature of Walgett Community College and the needs of the kids that attend that school and put in place individual learning plans.

Also, the principal should’ve be able to draw in multiple government agencies including health, mental health, justice, and family services to assist and to provide a wraparound service for the school and the wider community.

From where I’m standing, the previous principals have not been given the support to do this. That leadership must come from the top and the education minister should have been driving it. She was asleep at the wheel and so was her secretary of education Mark Scott.

I’ve spoken to many families and groups in Walgett who are concerned about the future of the school.

I have a planned trip to Walgett with Roy Butler in March. The Minister and Mark Scott should get in their cars and join me on that trip.

The Hon. Mark Banasiak MLC, Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party