RESTORE OUR SCHOOLS
The people of Griffith need to be on the lookout for more distortions of the truth and misleading statements being fed to them by the NSW Department of Education and others.
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A damaging article in the Sydney Morning Herald on February 14 reported on the Interim Report of the University of NSW group contracted by the NSW Dept of Education to evaluate the effectiveness and implementation of Adrian Piccoli's forced merger of the two Griffith public high schools.
The Sydney Morning Herald and The Area News both published damaging articles this past fortnight, The Area News quoting an anonymous "spokesman" for the NSWDET as saying, "The merger of the Wade and Griffith schools is a cultural and logistical challenge that the school community, department and broader community decided to undertake to provide the best educational outcomes for their students."
What a load of rubbish!
The "school community, department and broader community" did not decide to undertake any such merger. Adrian Piccoli made the original decision and announced it at a meeting that was closed-to-the-public.
There was no prior, open consultation with the community. It was a simple "take it or leave it" decision by Adrian Piccoli. And now, Adrian Piccoli wants to blame everyone but himself for the disaster that has continued to unroll since day one.
Among the issues the interim report raised were, "No clear framework for school leadership", and "serious issues with staff well-being". Is Mr Piccoli suggesting that the community and teachers are responsible for "no clear framework for school leadership"? The UNSW Report says that only 23.8 per cent of teachers at the merged schools are reporting as being satisfied with their role at the school compared to 52.2 per cent before the merger, the Australian average is 89.1 per cent.
That's the fault of the teachers and community, is it Mr Piccoli? It couldn't possibly be your poor original decision and your leadership, could it?
The UNSW report also stated that there was a "Lack of clearly defined policies and procedures". That's the Griffith community's fault too, is it?
Having referred to me personally on ABC radio, Mr Piccoli asked, "What would he propose we do? Go back to the original model?" Well, quite simply , Yes!
This is what's called wedge politics. This is about as cheap a tactic as you can get. You're trying to tell people, "Look! It's all that mob's fault! Not mine!" And Mr Piccoli wonders why a huge proportion of the Griffith community have opposed this farce from the beginning.
Give us back our schools!
Kevin Farrell, Beelbangera
YOUR HELP IS NEEDED
Inspector General Mick Keelty is making inquires into the Murray Darling Basin and his role is to improve transparency, accountability and community confidence and vision is to restore confidence for all stakeholders and the integrity, look into misconduct corruption and maladministration, and compliance with obligations under the Water Act.
So any irrigators who was forced to terminate their delivery entitlements and pay the fee in 2008-2009 and did not want to call Joy 0419172548.
Joy Boucher, Griffith
WATER CALLED ME HOME
How I love reading Stuart Clarke's poetry submissions in The Area News. I can relate to his last effort (February 24).
Moving to the 'big smoke' from Griffith in 1962, I still call it the town of my birth.
The channel water has bought me home on three occasions, lastly for my 70th birthday in 2015 where I celebrated with Italian 'amici' at the 'Festa delle Salsicce'.
Hopefully to return before I'm to old to travel! Kind regards to all my school and former work colleagues in Griffith.