Wellington High School: Letter sent to parents announces class cuts because of teacher shortages

The only public high school in a Central West town will be forced to cut subjects and offer distance education because of teacher shortages going into the new year. Here’s the latest.

A battling Central West high school will be scrapping subjects and delivering other lessons via a distance education partnership in an effort to minimise the impact of teacher shortages.

In a letter to parents, Wellington High School relieving principal Adam McKeown listed the decisions that would take place from 2024 until more teachers are appointed.

According to the letter, languages will not be delivered to Year 7 students in 2024 and will form part of Year 8’s curriculum in 2025.

Years 9 and 10 will operate as two classes in each year group with physical activity and sports studies, as well as commerce, being scrapped.

Year 11 and 12 students have also been advised some courses would be delivered with distance education, however the Department of Education could not confirm which subjects when asked for further information.

The letter to parents. Photo: Facebook.

The letter outlined some changes to classes. Photo: Facebook.

Mr McKeown stated the changes would be a temporary solution until vacancies were filled.

“This year, you may have seen that we have had difficulties in covering some classes with casual teachers and you may have seen some classes combined or students supervised under minimal supervision arrangements,” Mr McKeown wrote.

Wellington High School. Photo: Google Maps.

“These challenges will continue into the start of 2024 with a number of staff changes as a result of merit selection, transfers, completion of contracts and some teachers moving away from teaching for other career.

“The NSW Department of Education has been working with us to attract new staff, but unfortunately it continues to be difficult.

“The school executive will continue to work over the holiday break to attract and on-board new teachers, and we look forward to introducing new faces to the Wellington community in Term 1, 2024, when I will provide you with an update about the plans for another great year at Wellington High School.

“We greatly appreciate your patience and support throughout the year.”

A NSW Teachers Federation spokesman said the teacher shortage had been a direct consequence of the former government’s wage cap.

“This policy failure pushed more and more work onto teachers which has resulted in intolerable and unmanageable workloads,” the spokesman said.

Wellington High School and other schools in the Central West are struggling to secure teachers. Picture: Dylan Arvela

A NSW Teachers Federation spokesman said the teacher shortage had been a direct consequence of the former government’s wage cap.

“This policy failure pushed more and more work onto teachers which has resulted in intolerable and unmanageable workloads,” the spokesman said.

“While the historic wages agreement recently achieved is a step in the right direction to address teacher shortages, the work to address workload and insecure employment must continue.”

The starting salary for a NSW teacher will increase from $75,791 to $85,000 and the salary for top-of-the-scale teachers will rise from $113,042 to $122,100.

A NSW Department of Education spokeswoman said the school would be delivering a comprehensive curriculum to students next year despite the educational shift.

“Students have access to quality teaching whether subjects are delivered face to face or via distance education, with the HSC merit lists in 2023 including numerous students at our distance education schools,” the spokeswoman said.

“Teacher supply is a national challenge and a key priority for the department is to increase the supply of teachers across our system.”