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House of Assembly - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2008-11-26 Daily Xml
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SCHOOL CLOSURES/MERGERS

The Hon. J.D. LOMAX-SMITH (Adelaide—Minister for Education, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister for Tourism, Minister for the City of Adelaide) (14:07): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.D. LOMAX-SMITH: I seek to speak about Aberfoyle Hub Junior Primary and Primary schools, Parafield Gardens Junior Primary and Primary schools, Wynn Vale Junior Primary and Primary schools, Morphett Vale High School, Sedan Primary School and the Melrose Early Learning Centre.

The Chief Executive of the Department of Education and Children's Services has received requests from the governing councils of Aberfoyle Hub Junior Primary and Primary schools, Parafield Gardens Junior Primary and Primary schools and Wynn Vale Junior Primary and Primary schools for their schools to be merged and for Morphett Vale High School and Sedan Primary School to be closed. The governing councils have advised that their school communities have voted to close in accordance with section 14(a) of the Education Act 1972.

The Aberfoyle Hub, Parafield Gardens and Wynn Vale Junior Primary and Primary schools will merge from the start of 2009. Morphett Vale High School will close at the end of 2008, with its students transferring to Christies Beach, Reynella East and Wirreanda High schools. Sedan Primary School will also close at the end of 2008 school year, with its students transferring to Angaston.

Declining enrolments due to a demographic shift significantly limited the number of curriculum options available to students at Morphett Vale High School and also at Sedan Primary School. The decision to close their schools was a difficult one for the parents in both school communities, but they are to be applauded for putting students' interests first.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.D. LOMAX-SMITH: In addition—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The SPEAKER: The house will come to order; that includes the Attorney-General. The Minister for Education.

The Hon. J.D. LOMAX-SMITH: Thank you, sir. In addition, the members of the Melrose Early Learning Centre voted to close the preschool component of the centre. Rural care will continue to be offered at Melrose as well as a playgroup and play centre program. The preschool service for the district will be offered through the Booleroo Centre Preschool. All school and preschool communities are to be thanked for their positive and collaborative approach to determining their schools' future.

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