Norfolk Island demands answers on school

Norfolk Island residents say the federal government’s ongoing failure to provide information and direction may force the island’s only school may to close down.

Susie Hale, centre, with fellow teachers at the Norfolk Island Central School.

Norfolk Island residents say the federal government’s failure to provide information about the delivery of critical services has left them in limbo, with fears the island’s only school may be forced to close.

The situation has left the ­island’s school federation threatening industrial action, saying its pleas for help – including sending a delegation to Canberra – have been repeatedly rebuffed by Assistant Minister for Territories Nola Marino.

The minister has ultimate ­responsibility for the island, ­although services are delivered by NSW, with Queensland taking over from next year. In the meantime, islanders are ­demanding answers.

In two letters to Ms Marino – one sent by the Norfolk Island Central School members and another by the Norfolk Island Parents & Citizens Association – she is urged to explain who will teach Year 10 and 11 students in 2022.

Joel Reeves, of the Parents & Citizens Association, said decisions needed to be made ­immediately to ensure the “continuity of quality education into next year and beyond”.

“Minister, I understand the wheels of politics and bureaucracy turn slowly and I appreciate you are busy; however, I feel that the lack of information and the lack of direction for our school is running dangerously close to being in direct contradiction to the Australian Education Act preamble,” Mr Reeves wrote.

The letter asserts that students are in danger of being ­disadvantaged because of “inadequate information to forward plans for next year”.

It said the school was unable to re-sign teachers or advertise for the 2022 school year.

The second letter laid out five demands, including a firm commitment from the NSW, Queensland and Australian governments that Year 10 and 11 students would complete the NSW HSC in 2022 and 2023, and that federal and state government representatives address school staffing issues.

If these demands are not met by August 13, the letter warns, “industrial action will be taken”.

“Members of the NSW Teachers Federation at Norfolk Island Central School have been patient enough,” the letters says. “We therefore resolve to act in the interests of our students and our community, to ensure the continuity of education to Norfolk Island and to protect our school into the future.”

The Norfolk Island Central School has 300 students from kindergarten to Year 12.

Six years after the federal government revoked the island’s self-governance status, the decision by the Berejiklian government to stop delivering education services has caused consternation among residents.

While the Queensland government has recently agreed to step into the void, there is little clarity as to when this support will kick in.

In June, Susie Hale, a teacher from Norfolk Island Central School, flew to Canberra to see Ms Merino. Her trip ended empty-handed, after the assistant minister notified Ms Hale she “wouldn’t be taking further meetings this week”.