NightcliffN school backflips on fence
THE principal of a school that was considering fencing off the grounds has backflipped, saying it is no longer contemplating closing off the oval or playgrounds.
In a newsletter released to the Nightcliff Primary School community on Thursday, principal Jo Glennon said the controversial fence would be open to wider consultation and would “not impact the oval, playground, basketball courts and wildlife sanctuary and community access to this valued space”.
This is despite an earlier voting slip given to parents providing the options of: FENCING surrounding the school perimeter, excluding the oval; or
FENCING surrounding the school buildings, internally gated access.
In the new newsletter, Ms Glennon said a temporary fence had been “constructed to provide a safe and inclusive environment for these children and prevent further risks to safety”.
The NT News understands the community is divided over the issue, with a group of parents at the school starting an “anti-fence committee”.
Ms Glennon said she needed to “clarify any misunderstandings” after the NT News published a front-page article.
However, she did not say what, if anything, was incorrect in the article.
“The school has been encountering several young and vulnerable students absconding from the school grounds and onto roads neighbouring the property through gaps in surrounding fencing that exist currently,” she said.
“Of particular concern is . . . through the staff carpark, leading on to the oval and gaps in exterior fencing.”