Damning findings for Griffith and Wade High School merger
Independent Member for Murray Helen has acknowledged the findings in a damming Department of Education (DoE) report on the evaluation of the merger between Griffith and Wade High Schools into Murrumbidgee Regional High School (MRHS).
The report was completed in May and Mrs Dalton is calling on the department for immediate action to address the issues. “This report is absolutely horrifying, for the students, the teachers and the Griffith community. “Most telling of all is recommendation six which states the DoE does not consider the one school two site model as a future option to build culture or improve outcomes.
“I mean are we just expected to sit back and let this disaster continue while the department wait for a full cohort to make their way through this school,” Mrs Dalton said.
Other findings of the report included;
The two sites continue to operate almost independently,
There is still no 7-12 equivalent educational program,
Expectation of expanded curriculum and pathways has not been achieved
Naplan and HSC outcomes remain over represented in the bottom percentage of results
Declining rate of students transitioning to MRHS
Staff well being is well below national benchmarks and a major casualty of the merge
“This is just another example of government coming in and dictating to a community without proper consultation.
“Anyone could see this option was doomed from the start, I mean seriously these schools are 4.2km apart and are meant to be overseen by one principle, how does that even work in the first place?”
Mrs Dalton also noted the report acknowledged Griffith does not attract department of education incentives.
“How on earth are we ever meant to attract teaching staff to Griffith when just 36km down the road teachers can access incentives including transfer points, rental or mortgage assistance and additional pay.
“Our teachers are in crisis as additional red tape buries them under an ever-increasing workload taking them away from the classroom, add in this report and it is just a disaster for Griffith education.”
Mrs Dalton said both schools would be better off returning to independent operation.
