Attracting teachers from the confines of the city to Griffith is set to be a little easier.
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The state government has invested in an apartment block in Couch Road and will offer five fully-furnished, two-bedroom apartments to teachers moving to the area for short periods of time.
The building will be managed by Property NSW’s Housing Services division, which looks after 1278 residences for teachers in rural and remote communities.
“These apartments will cater for the growing demand to house temporary teachers in Griffith, making it easier for teachers to make the move the area,” Housing Services director Greg Phipson said.
“As the units are fully furnished, teachers can concentrate on their professional duties without the distraction of searching for somewhere to live,” Mr Phipson said.
Short-term accommodation was an issue for temporary teachers and the apartments will be made available from the start of Term 4 this week.
“The NSW Government has more than 201 dwellings to support teachers in the Riverina and we will continue to look for new opportunities to secure additional stock when required,” Mr Phipson said.
It’s expected the accommodation will be used by teachers arriving to work at Murrumbidgee Regional High School.
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Executive principal Peter King said teacher housing was an important tool in attracting talented teachers.
“When young teachers first arrive, you don’t have a washing machine or a fridge,” Mr King said.
“You may not arrive with much more than your clothes and your car after graduation.”
Mr King and Griffith Schools Network director David Lamb spoke to around 60 fourth year students at the University of NSW about the opportunities available in Griffith.
Mr King said promoting Griffith’s health facilities, transport links and diverse culture and activities is important to address misconceptions, making it easy for teachers to actually experience Griffith was just as important.
He said once people got to Griffith they were more likely to stay on in regional areas.
For Term 4, four UNSW students will be at Wade and Griffith High for practical learning for nine weeks, before another two arrive from Wollongong later.
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