Lindenow South Primary School set to remain open as minister steps in

There has been a major development in plans to close a small school in East Gippsland. See the latest.

Lindenow South Primary School will remain open and not shut for term two as the small East Gippsland community was advised late last week.

Gippsland East MP Tim Bull met with Deputy Premier and education minister, Ben Carroll, on Tuesday, and was given an undertaking the school would not be closed.

Parents had been advised of the sudden closure on Friday, leaving them upset and scrambling to find a new school before the end of term one.

The school with 16 students had been operating with an acting principal, who is about to go on leave.

“There is some detail to be worked through and the minister has advised me he is happy to continue discussions to ensure the school continues to be part of this community well into the future,” Mr Bull said.

“While it is correct there have been troubles in obtaining a principal, the announcement that all students would have to relocate for the start of term two was to me, a gross over-reaction.

“I was never happy every option had been looked at to avoid this.

“We will now ensure both short-term and long-term options are put in place to guarantee its continued operation.

“I thank the minister for his quick response and willingness to resolve the matter.”

The principal of nearby Lindenow Primary School will oversee both schools for the remainder of the year.

“Recruitment for a new leader at the school will commence in term 3,” Mr Bull said.

Twelve months ago the school received $900,000 in federal funding for a major playground upgrade.

March 28:

Parents have been blindsided by a decision to close a small primary school in East Gippsland at the end of term next Friday.

Lindenow South Primary School’s enrolment of 16 students was thrown into turmoil late on Thursday when parents were informed they had one week to find alternative arrangements, including attending nearby Lindenow Primary School.

Lindenow South has been operating with an acting principal, who is about to go on leave.

But on Monday, parents had been reassured via a letter that the Lindenow Primary School principal would “oversee” both schools in a move that would “provide stability and certainty for students, staff and families”.

Lindenow South Primary School in East Gippsland facing closure. Picture: Supplied

Recruiting had also started for an assistant principal and classroom teacher.

Parent Jacob Drummond said the decision to shut the school, which opened in 1889, was a “kick in the guts”.

“It’s a small community that relies on having a school,” he said.

“We’ve pretty much been told overnight that the school is closing and we need to find somewhere else for our daughter to go.

“A small school is brilliant for our daughter.

“With holidays coming up we’ve basically got a week to find somewhere else.

“That’s if they’ve got room.”

Education minister Ben Carroll. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

Another parent, Peter Carpinteri, and his family relocated to East Gippsland from Melton and decided to send their prep-age daughter to the school and also build a house in the small town.

“We’re living in Bairnsdale at the moment while we build,” he said.

“We did multiple tours of the school and it just ticked every box.

“Our daughter is going great guns as all the preps are.

“But then to be told we’ve got one week left and they’re going to be uprooted to another school is tough to swallow.”

Twelve months ago the school received $900,000 in federal funding for a major playground upgrade.

Gippsland East MP Tim Bull is fighting to keep Lindenow South Primary School open.

Gippsland East MP Tim Bull requested education minister Ben Carroll intervene and keep the school open.

“It is my strong wish and that of the community for the school to stay open,” Mr Bull said.

“We have recently retired principals in the area who would be interested in helping out on an interim basis.

“I’m very disappointed that those approaches weren’t made before this decision was made.

“I thank the minister for his responsiveness and look forward to working with him on a solution.”

An education department spokesman said: “We can confirm that the department is recruiting a new leader to ensure continuity for students at Lindenow South Primary School.

“We are grateful to the Lindenow Primary School community for working with us to ensure our students have the fullest opportunities available to them for their learning and wellbeing in term two.”

Originally published as Lindenow South Primary School set to remain open as minister steps in