Hunter Sports High Named Olympic Pathway School

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Hunter Sports High has officially been named an Australian Olympic Pathway School. 

It's one of seven schools in NSW given the honour, as part of an Australia-first initiative to support future Olympians and Paralympians. 

It's the first time schools have been recognised as Olympic Training Centres. 

Minister for Sport Alister Henskens, said the program will start supporting athletes at a school level.

"The initiative will provide programs to help young people stay focused and motivated while studying, and trying to forge a pathway in their respective sports." 

Gillieston Public School scores at least $25 million for major upgrade

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Gillieston Public School will get between $25 million and $75 million for a major redevelopment, after concerns were raised in a public inquiry into school infrastructure.

Parents and community members raised the alarm on the school, which lacks a boundary fence and town sewer connection.

Most classrooms at the campus are demountables, and it's understood the school is struggling to keep up with local demand.

The school was promised just $1.7 million in the June budget, but Maitland MP Jenny Aitchison says she's met with the Treasurer and Education Minister, and understands the much higher amount has been allocated in the forward estimates.

It's unclear what the final budget might look like until contracts are awarded.

Image credit: Jenny Aitchison.

Hunter school buses to be fitted out with seatbelts

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Selected school bus routes in the Hunter will be equipped with seatbelts, as the State Government extends the $237 million program to the region.

100 school buses across Cessnock, Singleton, Maitland, and Port Stephens are being fitted out, after studies of roads with higher-risk ratings.

Regional Roads Minister Sam Farraway says it's important to keep kids safe on their way to and from school.

"This program has already ensured a safer trip to and from school for more than 200,000 students who often travel long distances on dirt roads," he said. 

"This will deliver improved safety for school buses travelling long distances on unsealed roads and on roads outside urban areas with a speed limit of 80km/h and above."

"And of course, it will give parents more comfort knowing their kids are better protected when  travelling to school."

35 buses in the Upper Hunter were retrofitted earlier this year, in addition to 37 brand new buses.

Works begin on Muswellbrook South Public School upgrade

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The sod's been turned at Muswellbrook South Public School on Wednesday morning, as a major upgrade of the school gets underway.

The works include 13 new permanent learning spaces, an outdoor learning centre, as well as a sports court.

The upgrade will also see 18 learning spaces refurbished, alongside general landscaping and new seating.

Demountable buildings are expected to be cleared in time for Term One in 2024.

Upper Hunter MP Dave Layzell says it's about keeping a country school up to scratch with local growth, and staff and students are looking forward to the facelift.

Dave Layzell MP with Muswellbrook South Public School Upgrade Project Director Robert Ghaly, Project Manager Michael Trajkov, School Infrastructure Project Officer Mina Ibrahim and Matt Tuttle, Project Manager for construction contractor FKG Group.

Parliamentary committee visit sparks hope for Gillieston Public School

BY DAKOTA TAIT

There's hope a visit from a parliamentary committee will spur the State Government to take action on critical infrastructure issues at Gillieston Public School.

The Wednesday visit came after parents launched a petition in May, later that month travelling to Sydney to address the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into the planning and delivery of school infrastructure.

NSW MP Mark Latham is chairing the committee, and toured the school.

He's described what he saw as "disappointing".

"You've got what used to be an old country school, that's been overwhelmed by population growth and new suburbs springing out of the ground surrounding the school, but the facilities haven't kept pace," he said.

"They're not connected to the sewer, they haven't got a proper security fence on their boundary. They've got 12 classrooms, ten of which are demountables. You've got what's supposed to be a school hall in a pretty run down demountable building, doubling as the canteen."

Maitland MP Jenny Aitchison couldn't attend because of illness, but has been pushing the Government on the issue for half a decade.

She says, it's important to have representatives outside of the Government and the Opposition investigating the issue.

"Making it part of the cross-party processes in the Legislative Council has meant that the Government can't hide from it," Ms Aitchison said.

"There are Government members on that committee. Unfortunately I didn't see that they were attending yesterday, but I'm hoping that they will actually take note of what was observed by the committee."

The inquiry's heard more than 100 submissions regarding schools and their communities right across the State.

Mr Latham says it points to a lack of preparedness on the Government's part.

"They've been overwhelmed by the population growth, but good planning and knowledge would say that those suburbs are coming, you know that at a local and state government level," he said.

"It's also in a Labor electorate, it's not a Government seat, so maybe there's that kind of political neglect.

"Either way, it's disgraceful. I can't imagine there's a school that's been left further behind in terms of new appropriate facilities."

According to Government projections, the population in the area is slated to at least double in the next 20 years.

School Infrastructure NSW CEO Anthony Manning also attended the visit, saying the organisation intended to begin community consultation later this year, as well as address pressing concerns such as the lack of a fence.

Mr Latham says, he'll hold the Department to any promises.

"We'll be making a report to the Government and the Parliament about Gillieston and the situation there, making strong recommendations to fast-track the masterplan and get the capital funding in for new buildings that make it a school that you'd want for a community like that," he said.

"I mean, people have invested a lot in their new housing, but they haven't got a new school."

Image credit: gillieston-p.schools.nsw.gov.au

Hunter teachers to walk off the job as almost three-quarters reconsider career

BY DAKOTA TAIT

NSW Teachers Federation members across the Hunter will join their colleagues to walk off the job next Wednesday.

It's just a week after Term 2 started.

They've also been permitted to leave the classroom if Government MP's visit their school grounds, and won't adopt new Government policies and initiatives in the classroom.

The union's calling for better pay and improved working conditions, especially as the country records its highest inflation rate in 20 years.

It's understood, while the union has been in talks with the State Government, the Premier's failed to address members' concerns over uncompetitive salaries and scrapping a 2.5 percent salary cap.

It comes as a new poll of Newcastle teachers found almost three-quarters said their workload is unmanageable and were reconsidering their position.

89 percent didn't feel their pay reflected their expertise and responsibilities, while 85 percent said staff shortages were very significant.

Department of Education data from last October has revealed, across the State electorates of Newcastle, Maitland, Wallsend, Charlestown, and Port Stephens, there were 114 vacant permanent teaching positions.

Newcastle Education Campus moves forward with business case

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The business case for the Newcastle Education Campus is moving forward, now seeking approval to proceed from the NSW Treasury. 

The State Government says the project will be located on the main Newcastle High School site, with masterplanning for the site already completed.

It'll include upgrades to the existing high school and expanded facilities suitable for shared use with the community. 

Space has been allocated for a new primary school in the future, subject to enrolment demand. 

The preferred option in the business case includes new flexible learning spaces to support future student enrolment growth, a new hall and library, new science laboratories, kitchens, canteen and student facilities and new support class facilities. 

Petition launched to save support class at Islington Public School

BY DAKOTA TAIT

A Hunter father has launched a petition, after learning a support class for students with mild intellectual disabilities, ADHD, and communication difficulties at Islington Public School is likely to be dissolved next year, if class numbers don't improve. 

It's the only class of its type in inner-city Newcastle. 

The Department of Education told parents in private meetings they should consider enrolling elsewhere or risk missing out on a place.

It's understood, while the kids could stay at the school in a mainstream class, they didn't qualify for funding for additional support in that setting.

Nick Pringle says his son is flourishing at school, and there's no alternatives if he has to move.

"The two IM classes that are even within cooee of Islington Public School don't guarantee a place next year," Mr Pringle said.

"That's quite aside from having to uproot the child, take him out of his social setting, all of his mates and his local community."

"In a year where Dylan Alcott can win Australian of the Year, where we're looking at diversity and disability support, it just seems absolutely counter-intuitive and counter-good practice to be making an early support intervention disappear."

More than 400 people have now signed the petition to save the class.

Mr Pringle hopes the support from the community will be enough to convince the Department to extend a lifeline.

"It's been really heartening, it's been quite touching, a little bit humbling, actually, how quickly people have come forward," Mr Pringle said.

"Now I hope we can carry that over, so the Department of Education are listening."

Hunter charity filling back-to-school backpacks for rural students

BY DAKOTA TAIT

A new Hunter charity is asking locals to donate, to put together backpacks and back-to-school kits for children in disadvantaged parts of the region.

The Backpack Venture was established last March in response to concerns that support programs for rural parts of the Hunter weren't up to scratch with those in the city.

They're looking for backpacks, lunchboxes, and stationary for students, as well as sanitary items for young girls.

Volunteer Colleen Mulholland says it would be great to see the Hunter add a donation or two to our shopping list.

"We're asking anyone just to supply anything that you can supply," Ms Mulholland said.

"It can be a simple ruler, pencil, sharpener, textas, drink bottles, lunch bottles, whatever anyone feels that they can afford to donate."

The charity are hoping to deliver the backpacks to local principals just before school heads back, with a target of 400 backpacks and 200 emergency kits for girls.

People interested in donating can drop items off at any of the listed locations:

• Stockland - Centre Management Office
• Stockland - Centre Management Office
• Salamander Bay Square - Centre Management Office
• Maitland Riverside Plaza - Centre Management Office
• Nova Air and Electrical - 161 Maitland Rd, Tighes Hill
• Sonia Hornery MP - 67 Nelson St, Wallsend
• Survivor's R Us Incorporated - 57 Pendlebury Rd, Cardiff
• R&R Property - 8 William St, Raymond Terrace
• Fibonacci Coffee - 29 Rutherford Road, Muswellbrook 
• Cessnock Plaza Newsagency - Keene St, Cessnock
• Julz Clothing - Branxton 
• Fingal Twilight Markets

Ms Mulholland says it's exciting to see the community rally behind the movement.

"When you hear those type of stories, you know not only us, but the community itself, is making a difference," Ms Mulholland said.

"And not just a difference to family members, but children, and these people are out future generation."

Image credit: The Backpack Venture

BREAKING! Former Singleton School Destroyed By Fire

BY IAN CROUCH

A former Catholic school at Singleton has been severely damaged by fire overnight.

Firefighters from Singleton, Branxton, Telarah and the RFS were called to the former Catholic Junior School in Patrick Street just after midnight on Tuesday to find four buildings on fire.

Singleton Fire & Rescue says at least 3 demountable buildings were destroyed in the fire.

It's taken crews 3 hours to extinguish the fires.

Police are treating the fire as suspicious and have set up a crime scene as investigations continue.

Crews also had to contend with several grass fires in the Singleton Shire overnight.

One of the demountable classrooms destroyed in the fire Picture: Fr Thomas Chirackal

New Data Reveals Hunter and Regional NSW to Have Most Affordable Public Education

BY DAKOTA TAIT 

New data has revealed the Hunter and Regional NSW have some of the most affordable public education options in the entire country.

The report, compiled by Futurity Investment Group, found the average cost of 13 years of public schooling to come in at $58,227 in the regions, compared to $90,122 in Sydney.

Private education in Sydney came in at $448,035, while Regional NSW was 70 percent cheaper, at just $133,920.

School fees made up a larger proportion of the cost of an Independent education compared to a Government one, while parents of public schoolers put larger fractions of the cost toward school camps, textbooks, uniforms, and transport.

Parents are also estimated to have spent an extra $808 per child last year as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Futurity Group Executive Kate Hill said the cost of education has risen at more than double the rate of inflation over the past decade.

“Education costs, including outside tuition, school camps and sports equipment and electronic devices are demanding a far greater share of the family budget than in the past,” Ms Hill said.

“COVID-19 has only exacerbated this financial challenge, with parents required to spend hundreds of dollars extra on unplanned education related expenses at the height of the pandemic."

75 percent of Independent school parents found they were satisfied with their child's schooling during the pandemic, compared to only 62 percent of Government school parents.

Ms Hill said parents who lacked the ability to save in the past would suffer difficult education costs in the future.

“More than ever, the costs associated with education are placing more of a burden on Australian families, who are already stretched by the rising cost of living and stagnant wage growth."

Central Coast School Closed Over "Potential" Covid-19 Case

BY ISABEL EVERETT

A Central Coast school has closed today on the last day of term, as a senior student suspected of suffering Covid-19 is tested. 

Green Point Christian College, located around an hour south of Lake Macquarie, says they have been advised by NSW Health, to keep all students home as a precaution over the "possible but unconfirmed" case in senior student.

The school is set to provide further information on the test result later this afternoon. 

Anyone connected with the school and suffering flu like symptoms or feeling unwell is being urged to get tested. 

Hunter Students Receive Tertiary Admission Ranks

BY MADELAINE MCNEILL

With final results released today, Hunter HSC students are being reminded the ATAR is just one way to get into university.

Most institutions offer solutions for those who didn't reach their ideal mark - or those who didn't receive an ATAR at all - and the University of Newcastle is the country's largest provider of alternate entry programs.

Open Foundation Convenor Emma Hamilton says the University's NewStep program is tailored for recent school-leavers, but there are other options available.

"We also offer an Open Foundation program, which is tailored to students aged 20 years and over and the Yapug Program that's tailored to the needs of Indigenous learners.

"What we find is that students who complete our programs are very prepared at Undergraduate level," Ms Hamilton continued, "our research shows us that those students who study via foundation pathways are just as successful as other students."

Many Hunter students, however, are happy with today's results.

40 made the All-Round Achievers list, receiving the highest band possible in at least 10 units.

26 of them were girls and 14 were boys, while 15 came from Merewether High School.

The 2018 results are only slightly down on last year, where 42 students made the All-Round Achievers list.

Image: Western Advocate. 

What to do with Wollombi Public?

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

The future of the Wollombi Public School premises remains uncertain, as Cessnock Councillor Paul Dunn lobbies to keep ownership of the property in local hands.

The state-owned school was shut down in late 2014 due to insufficient student numbers and is currently being curated by the Wollombi School Community Trust to facilitate community events such as art exhibits, markets and preschool services.

"As far as the Wollombi Community Trust goes, they've stated that in the last 12 months they've had over 300 uses of that land for the local community," Cr Dunn explains.

However, it is unknown whether the state government intends to retain the school property for these community uses or sell it off to a private buyer.

"The community deserve to have that facility kept in their hands," Cr Dunn continues,"If it does go into private ownership, there's no state and federal heritage listings, so there's no guarantee of the structure of the buildings remaining the same.

"I personally would love to see it stay in community hands, but unfortunately Cessnock Council isn't in a position to have the money to do anything for it."

Possible solutions envisioned by Cr Dunn include a 'peppercorn' lease- where land is rented at a minimal amount- between the state government and Council, or a donation of the land from the state government to allow Council to set up a sub-committee to run the Wollombi facilities.

"As long as there's no essential on-going costs folded back to the Council, we are more than happy to run with anything the state government are willing to offer us."

Cessnock Councillor, Paul Dunn.