COBURG

PRIMARY SCHOOL

29th June 2011 To the Minister for Education, The Honourable Martin Dixon

Dear Minister, I am writing on behalf of the Coburg Primary School Council to reiterate our support for the public campaign to re-establish an open entry years 7 to 12 high school in the Coburg area. Our Council has recently seen a copy of the report produced by High School for Coburg, which highlights the findings of a survey of 430 respondents, of which 63.4% resided in the suburbs of Coburg and North Coburg. These respondents represented 803 children: 111 preschool aged, 574 primary aged across 45 schools and 37 secondary aged, attending 17 schools. Their response to the question of preferred option for secondary provision found 64.6% preferred converting the Coburg Senior High School into an open entry years 7 to 12 high school, and 30% wanted a new school built. The report also details comments from many of the respondents and overwhelmingly, the major themes are the frustration and anger for there being no school and disruption of having to consider or indeed moving to an area with schools. For many the quality of education provided is important and most want a school established sooner rather than later. There has been a lot of media coverage recently regarding secondary education provision in the northern suburbs and in inner urban Melbourne. While we acknowledge the effort put into rebadging and rebranding John Fawkner College for example, and applaud the work of that school and the Department, we also realize that it is a solution for that community and their local high school needs and we are another community that doesnt have the solution we require. It isnt to be found in the Coburg Senior High School or, as some would call, for a junior high school to fill the gap as it doesnt address the problem completely. It surely isnt to be found in further expanding the population of the three nearest over-crowed high schools in and near Moreland. With the closure last year of St Josephs Boys Secondary College, further stress was put on parents in this area. There is now an accepted need for an open entry years 7 to 12 high school in the Coburg area. Our School Council has begun to plan for further classroom re-assignments to accommodate an expected surge in numbers resulting from greatly increased prep grade enrolments. We are only one of many schools in this area undertaking this planning.

8 Bell St Coburg, 3058

Telephone: 9354 9332

Fax: 9350 5315 Email: Coburg.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au Before & After School Care: 9350 3959

Whilst quick and affordable fixes are often not available for issues of this nature, there is currently a purpose-built prep to year 12 facility in the form of Coburg Senior High School, providing restricted enrolments for Years 10 12 only, being obviously under-utilized given the current situation (only 218 students after more than three years of being in operation). In establishing a 712 school, the Senior High could remain in fact as a parallel stream to the general entry secondary facility. This change could possibly uplift the Senior High and assist it to develop into a more successful school program. As a parent, teacher and past principal you will understand that quality education is the cornerstone of any society and the provision of these services are fundamental in all communities. An open entry year 7 to 12 high school in Coburg would enhance the choices for secondary education in this area, benefiting the greater community and more importantly, cementing the future for our community. On behalf of this school and our community, I urge you and your department to act swiftly in addressing this matter and publicly identify and initiate the provision of an open entry year 7 to 12 high school in Coburg.

Sincerely,

Mat Fitzwilliam BaAppSci (Surveying), GradDip(Ed) School Council President Coburg Primary School

8 Bell St Coburg, 3058

Telephone: 9354 9332

Fax: 9350 5315 Email: Coburg.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au Before & After School Care: 9350 3959