2016 Griffith High School plans

But the options seem to have divided the town, and it’s hard to understand why.

One side believes consolidating secondary education by building a super school is the way to go.

The other believes an upgrade of current facilities at separate sites is the best option.

There’s also parties falling in between, suggesting a mixture of the two state government proposals, or something completely different is the way Griffith should head.

Whatever side of the fence you are sitting on, you’re still part of the group in universal agreeance that something needs to be done about our high schools.

The Australian secondary education system is in decline and lagging further behind international standards by the year.

But Griffith standards are falling behind, even in comparison to other schools in this sub-par system.

Director of New South Wales Public Schools Girffith Network David Lamb suggested at the proposal’s announcement on Monday afternoon that, “Griffith High School and Wade High school are facing significant challenges in preparing students for their future roles in the Griffith community.”

That’s a damning call from the man in charge of making sure the public school network in Griffith is up to scratch.

Suggesting the city’s two high schools are struggling to remain capable of educating children well enough to face adult life is a massive blight on the current system.

Nobody is suggesting this is the fault of any individuals, but simply an outdated and underfunded system in desperate need of some TLC.

Wade High has 24 per cent of HSC students achieving at least two band five and band six marks.

Griffith High School has three per cent of students achieving at least two band five or band six results.

The apparent year 11 and 12 retention rate for both schools is 59 per cent at Wade High and just 44 per cent at Griffith High.

The proof is in the pudding, and Mayor Dal Broi wasn’t lying when he said the city has a ‘once in a generation opportunity’.

Whichever proposal you choose to back, make sure the decision is made after considering all the facts, and think about how you’d like Griffith’s education system to look not just next year, but in decades to come.