Independent Education Union demands answers over Seton College closure
An education union, furious over the closure of a Brisbane private school which has left the future of hundreds of students and staff up in the air, has demanded answers from those responsible for the decision.
Southeast
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An education union has labelled Brisbane Catholic Education a ‘sellout’ after voicing their anger over the closure of a Brisbane private school.
BCE announced Seton College at Mt Gravatt East would close in 2024 after a recent review of their operations, leaving staff and the future of more than 200 students up in the air.
And the union representing employees at the school, Independent Education Union of Australia – Queensland and Northern Territory, has fired back at BCE over the move, saying the decision was wrong and Seton College deserved to remain open.
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“For 56 years, the teachers and school support staff at Seton College have provided high quality education to the southside community,” IEUA-QNT branch secretary, Terry Burke, said.
“18 months ago BCE made a clear commitment in writing to provide schooling which specifically catered for students with disabilities but now BCE has simply decided to turn that decision on its head and claim that this is not the type of school they should operate.
“It’s a clear contradiction of what college staff, students and their parents were told.
“It’s a sellout of Seton College students and their parents who enrolled them at the college based on BCE’s commitment 18 months ago to operate a school exclusively for students with disability.
“It’s also a sellout of Seton College staff who have been committed to making this vision a reality for the last 18 months through their professional development and the creation of work programs.”
BCE’s decision two weeks ago sparked enormous reaction from current and former students as well as parents.
One current student started a petition to Save Seton, which now has more than 3500 signatures, and parents at the school have formed a Save Seton committee.
It also sparked action from Speech and Language Development Australia, who expressed interest in taking over the campus in 2024.
Mr Burke said BCE had some serious questions to answer.
He also said college staff also had serious concerns for the future of their students.
“Here we have a cohort of students who feel safe and comfortable in their current learning environment,” Mr Burke said.
“However, BCE’s plan is to just move them on to other schools, and most likely larger learning environments, which could pose a very daunting and challenging experience for these students.
“Our members have spent the last 18 months building relationships and connections to engage these students and no consideration will compensate for this.”
A BCE spokesman said they shared the disappointment of others that Seton College would no longer educate students after 2024.
“BCE has always been immensely proud of the outcomes that Seton College has helped influence for so many students over the years,” he said.
“Seton became popular as a school catering for children with disability, their wellbeing and their education. While that was to be embraced, it did result in a growing imbalance in the student population and increasing complexity of student needs at Seton.
“And Seton has always had to remain in step with strict government requirements.
“A decision was made to move towards becoming a school exclusively for children with special needs.
“More than 40 families responded to this decision by removing their children from Seton College.
“At the same time, BCE found it difficult to recruit specialist staff as required under this changed model.
“An extensive investigation into the model for students with disability revealed the limitations of this model when compared to inclusive educational practice, which had become unachievable at Seton given the pattern of enrolment across many years.”
The BCE spokesman said again research highlighted that best student outcomes were reached within inclusive education environments.
He also said BCE’s five-year plan to transition students and staff from Seton College was designed to ensure all but the 22 current Year 7 students would be able to finish their education at the school.
Year 7 students will be able to complete Year 10 at Seton before receiving individualised plans to help them join another BCE school community, if they choose.
The BCE spokesman also said they would work with all staff to help to transition, where possible, to positions within our network of schools.
BCE has held two meetings with staff in the last two weeks to discuss next steps in this five-year transition model.
Mr Burke said the union continued to provide advice, support and assistance to its members at the College during this uncertain time.