Goolwa community to vote on name of new secondary school

The biggest town in SA without a secondary school has its first glimpse of that missing piece – and now they need to decide what to call it.

An artist’s impression of the Goolwa high school development by Greenway Architects.

Will Goolwa answer the call of the sea or stick with something simple? That’s the question being put to the community in an invitation to help name their new school.

Four names have been suggested for the school, with consultation now open to the public and interested groups to comment until January 7.

The names are Goolwa Secondary School, Goolwa Secondary College, Goolwa High School and Goolwa Yarluwar College.

Yarluwar is a Ngarrindjeri word meaning the sea or ocean.

“The wider community can also suggest another name if they want to,” principal Rebecca Moore said.

“We’re really excited to engage the community.”

Alternative names must have a geographic, historic or cultural rationale.

An advisory committee short-listed the names, including being given approval from an Ngarrindjeri elders’ group on using the word Yarluwar.

Rebecca Moore, principal of the new public high school at Goolwa. Picture: Education Department

An artist’s impression of the school.

Following the public consultation, the advisory committee will recommend a name to Education Minister John Gardner and the Surveyor-General.

Goolwa was the largest town in SA without a public high school but this would change from 2022 when the school opens, Mr Gardner said.

The Government bought the Goolwa site for just over $5m.

It was owned by Investigator College, an independent school, which closed its Goolwa campus last year and consolidated its 600 students at its Victor Harbor site.

The Government has allocated $10m to refurbish the school with concept designs published on Thursday.

An interior view of the Goolwa school upgrade.

“The $10 million upgrade will also create local jobs, as we reinvigorate the old Investigator College campus and turn it into an education hub offering modern facilities for modern secondary learners,” Mr Gardner said.

“Deciding on a new name is a significant step in forming the identity for the school and seeking contribution from the community will provide a sense of ownership between the new school and the community.

“I encourage local families to vote for their favourite name, or suggest a name of their own, as part of this exciting step towards opening the new school.”

Primary Industries and Regional Development Minister David Basham, who is the local MP, said the development would be a “generational community asset”.

Ms Moore has been visiting local primary schools and neighbouring secondary schools as she creates the framework for the new school.

“My preference for the name is one which is owned by the community and has their voice heard strong and loud,” she said.

WHAT WOULD YOU NAME THE SCHOOL? LEAVE YOUR IDEAS IN THE COMMENTS