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House of Assembly - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2009-11-19 Daily Xml
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COOBER PEDY AREA SCHOOL

Ms BREUER (Giles) (15:38): I want to talk today about the Coober Pedy school. Members probably will be aware there are some serious issues happening there currently. I visited Coober Pedy between 3 and 6 October this year and spent two days with the minister for local government (Hon. Gail Gago) and then two days with the Aboriginal lands committee, plus time of my own. In the 18 months prior to this time, I had, of course, visited Coober Pedy on many occasions and was aware that there were issues at the Coober Pedy school—primarily with school policies in relation to punctuality, detention, school uniform, and a number of specific issues involving families (particularly Aboriginal families in the town). I had discussed these issues with the district superintendent, David Craig.

However, within a few hours of arriving in Coober Pedy on this trip I became aware of some serious issues in the community which were about to explode. Everywhere we went we were given the same message: something had to be done about the school. People were extremely angry and they expressed concern about the principal's method of management and the impact it was having on young students.

On Wednesday 18 November I was asked by the Larkins family to meet with them to discuss their ongoing issues with the school and the department; and I agreed to do so. They then mentioned that they wanted a couple of other parents to meet with me, so I left it to them to arrange a meeting. I met with them about three hours later, and what I thought would be a discussion with three or four parents turned out to be a meeting with 22 people they had managed to assemble in only three hours.

The parents and the community workers expressed their frustrations in no uncertain terms and demanded that I hold a public meeting. They said that they knew of many other people who wanted to speak out but who did not know about this particular meeting.

I undertook to hold a meeting the following week. However, on my return to Whyalla on the Monday I decided to put it off for a fortnight, not only for personal reasons but also to give the town time to calm down and to arrange departmental workers to assist at the meeting in order to try to resolve some of the issues. I let the organisers know about this and they agreed. On Wednesday I rang to make sure it was organised for 26 November and was told that people did not want to wait; they intended to go ahead with the meeting anyway.

Knowing the community well, I decided to attend to run the meeting, which could have easily got out of hand. I sent up a flyer for them to distribute, inviting people to come to the meeting to discuss their concerns. I drove up next day, expecting maybe 50 people to attend as they had only 24 hours in which to organise it. I was stunned by the attendance. I counted at least 165 people, and I think I missed a large number who were listening outside, so it was a big turnout for a community the size of Coober Pedy—far more proportionally than one would see in other communities.

David Craig, the district superintendent, attended—and I thought that was admirable, knowing the attention he was about to receive. Of course, he did receive a lot of criticism from people who were there and he was asked many questions. A wide range of community people attended. This is not just about parents but, rather, it is across the board in Coober Pedy; and this is my big concern. The Umoona Community Council, the District Council of Coober Pedy, Mayor Steve Baines, business people, health services, public servants and many others were present at the meeting.

In trying to understand why the situation is so volatile at present, I think the issue of a memorial plaque that a family wanted to put in the swimming pool and the school formal where students were suspended brought it to a head, but there seem to be more underlying issues. I believe that there is a major communication problem between the principal, the students, the parents and the community. Since the meeting an incredible number of people have given me more information relating to policy, the actions of the principal, staff intimidation, and problems in relaying and communicating information to students and parents.

I am aware that the department has sent a delegation of top level staff to investigate the situation. I am concerned that the situation was able to develop without anyone from outside the community being aware of the seriousness of the concerns. I know many children are not currently attending school, either because they have been precluded from enrolling or because of parental choice. I know many families have left or are planning to leave Coober Pedy because of the school situation.

The town cannot afford to lose any more families. I am gratified, and continue to be so, that the primary concern of all involved is the education and wellbeing of the students. The Coober Pedy school is not all bad news. Some incredible things are happening at Coober Pedy school, but these have been lost in what is happening at the moment. For example, it has had improvements in literacy outcomes through accelerated literacy. It is now the lead school for the Outback Academy Trade Training Centre, for which it received $1.1 million. Major renovations of its home economics centre are completed. It has a kitchen garden project, for which community organisations and local businesses have pledged financial support. The Coober Pedy Area School South Australian Aboriginal Sports Training Academy was launched year and approximately 30 students are participating and getting incredible benefits from it. The Coober Pedy Area School choir has received national recognition for its music program. It has appointed a community liaison officer.

It is not all bad news. People should be confident that Coober Pedy school will rise above this and it should be able to attract and retain good staff. Hopefully, we can resolve the situation for the benefit of both the community and the young people.

Time expired.

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