Walgett Community College is at a crisis point

FOR over 18 months I have consistently raised with the Minister for Education my concerns regarding Walgett Community College. I have expressed in strong terms the need for the Minister to act, not for political gain but to ensure that kids in Walgett have access to a well-resourced, safe and stable school environment.

In recent days we have seen teachers walk out of the school in protest citing dire, ongoing and “significant” staffing issues. Only seven out of 22 teaching positions are currently working at the school, 11 roles are open for recruitment with the balance possibly on long term leave, with at least one teacher on leave due to a violent incident. The recruitment of the 11 teachers only started after the commencement of the first term.

In addition, the principal has left the school without any communication with the Walgett community, parents or kids.

The issues around schooling in Walgett have now reached a crisis point. I have avoided publicly talking about this issue as I know the effect media attention has had on the mental health and wellbeing of the Walgett community.

I feel for the children who attend Walgett Community College and I fear the impact that negative stories will have on them. Negative publicity has the potential to lower the self-esteem of these kids.

The situation at Walgett is close to being a downward spiral.

Walgett is a strong community with a weak education system, it’s time for leadership and hard decisions.

I have attempted to work constructively on the issues that have been raised with me regarding the Walgett Community College. I have done this in private with parents, concerned residents and the Minister for Education because I truly want a long-term stable future for this school.

I have done this because the Walgett community deserves better than the current circumstances. The kids of Walgett deserve better.

I have now asked the Minister for Education to immediately commence an investigation into the Walgett Community College, how it is being managed and the assistance that is being provided by the Department of Education. I have asked that the Minister provide a full briefing to myself and the community of Walgett.

The solutions will be both shortand long-term out of necessity. Parents need to know that now their children will receive the opportunities offered by education, catch-up is the worst solution for children missing opportunities.

A way forward must be developed in conjunction with the community. There needs to be a new plan for the Walgett Community College and that plan needs to be enacted immediately for the sake of these kids.

` The situation at Walgett is close to being a downward spiral... The Walgett community deserves better than the current circumstances. The kids of Walgett deserve better.