Teaching job losses at Murwillumbah claims union
The education department says there is a deadline on how long staff levels will be upheld at a new $100m school.
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The NSW Education Department says staff levels promised to be upheld in the amalgamation of four Murwillumbah schools will only be maintained until 2026.
The Murwillumbah Education campus will be made up of Murwillumbah Public School, Murwillumbah East Public School, Murwillumbah High School and Wollumbin High School being merged into one kindergarten to Year 12 campus in a $100 million redevelopment at the Murwillumbah High School site.
The move has been criticised by residents who claim they were not consulted properly before last year’s announcement, which Education Minister Sarah Mitchell accepted would have shocked parents.
The department has previously stated there was an agreement with the teachers union to maintain all permanent staff in the merger process, however a spokesman has confirmed that agreement would only last until 2026.
“Additional positions still in place in 2025 will be managed consistent with the standard processes for managing the movement of staff where there is an entitlement reduction,” the spokesman said.
“This will take effect from the 2026 school year.”
NSW Teachers Federation deputy president Henry Rajendra said based on current enrolments, at least 16 positions would be cut from the high school and at least four from the primary school.
“Ultimately, this will narrow the curriculum, leave students with fewer subjects to consider, increase class sizes and the workload of teachers,” Mr Rajendra said.
“This is a kick in the guts for kids in rural settings.”
In a letter to the Teachers Federation from the Education Department, sighted by The Tweed Daily News, the department confirmed about eight small school supplement staff would “not be relevant on consolidation”.
When questioned on the contents of the letter, a department spokesman said “no permanent staff will lose their jobs under the new campus model”.
Mr Rajendra said the department had deviated from the accepted process for the a merger.
“There was no room for negotiation or reconsideration, it was ‘here’s what we’re doing, consider yourselves consulted’,” he said.
The letter further stated there were “clear circumstances” around the four schools which made the new redevelopment necessary and therefore created “a different circumstance to the usual director driven, local consultation around school viability”.
The department spokesman however said the community engagement process had been in line with the consultation requirements for a school merger.
“The location, size and condition of Murwillumbah’s existing schools and their suitability for development were factors considered when assessing options for the future of education in Murwillumbah,” he said.
“Recommendations about education delivery and the infrastructure required to support this were made on the basis of what is in the best interest of students.
“The principals of the four schools, and both local education directors, are unanimous in their recognition of the benefits of this project for students across the Northern Rivers.”
He said the department would continue to consult with and involve stakeholders in the planning of the Murwillumbah Education Campus.
An online information session is due to be held from midday on September 13 to 5pm Friday September 19, available here.
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