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A decision has finally been made on the future of secondary education in Griffith with a $25 million merged school across the two existing campuses the winning option, following months of debate and suspense.
- One school
- One principal
- Two sites
- $25 million
WHAT WE KNOW
- Under the city’s new secondary schooling model student enrolments will still be based on existing zoning areas, meaning where you live will still determine whether you attend the Wade or Griffith High site.
- Years 7 to 10 will mostly do their subjects at one site while years 11 and 12 will travel between sites to access subjects and facilities as they require.
- All staff, with the exception of both school’s principals, will keep their jobs – with applications for the role of the one principal overseeing both sites to be open to all.
- The new merged school will be in operation by 2019 but the new sole principal will begin work from Term 4 2017.
- A ‘Griffith Secondary Education Advisory Council will be put together to help the schools transition.
- The council will include Department of Education representatives, the current principals of both schools as well as other key stakeholders individuals will be invited to join.
- The council will help design the new curriculum, governance, assets and building and staffing through working groups that allow staff and the community to have their say.
- The new school’s name, uniform, logo and motto will be determined at a later date with the advisory board and the department to work out this process.
- The new school name will appear on all certification students will receive, including both HSC and NAPLAN results, from 2019.
- A common timetable will be offered across both sites, aiming to have all year 7 students taking science at the same time for example.
- The department expects this will provide students with greater choices in elective subjects, with one larger class of economics opening up the possibility for other teachers to be free to offer extension subjects.
YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Here’s a breakdown of some of the more frequently asked questions taken from the Department of Education’s site ‘The Future of Secondary Education in Griffith’.
TIMELINE
PICCOLI WEIGHS IN
Former Education Minister and Murray MP Adrian Piccoli has weighed in on the final decision, saying it is a “huge investment” for the city.
“This is a great opportunity to really supercharge high school public education in Griffith,” he said.
“Obviously the capital is important but really targeting teaching and offering as much variety in terms of electives at schools and making school as engaging as possible and really maximising teachers’ skills is also important.”
Mr Piccoli said the merger would also focus on removing the competition between the schools and ensuring they are working together.
