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George Goulder is the face of a small school struggling with the threat of closure.
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For more than a century Martins Creek Public School has been the small community’s source of education, but with just six enrolments for 2014 the school is being earmarked for possible closure.
But today – as the regional community cabinet meets in Maitland – George, 8, is calling on the Department of Education and Training to save his school.
“The school is undergoing a process for review which is aimed at closing it. No decision has been made but we understand it is quite likely to close,” George’s mother, Gina Goulder, said.
“We don’t actually know why they want to close it, they (the department) are saying it’s not a financial thing, maybe they don’t see six pupils as viable. But we don’t want it to close, it’s a really good school. And to give praise where praise is due, we think the department has provided us with a wonderful school.”
Director of Public Schools NSW for Maitland Andrew Eastcott said the school is undergoing a consultation process to establish its future and has confirmed closure is an option.
“We are also looking at putting the school into recess until we get more enrolments, so closure isn’t our only option but basically we need to do what’s best for the students,” Mr Eastcott said.
In a letter addressed to the school late last year, Mr Eastcott stated that the cost of educating students at Martin’s Creek Public School is significantly higher than the cost of educating students at nearby Vacy or Paterson Public Schools.
“We’ve looked at the demographics of the Martins Creek area for the next four to five years and, at best, school enrolments will only be about nine,” he said.
Mr Eastcott said while a decision to close the school rests with the minister, department protocols are now in process before such a decision is made.
This includes consultation with the school community.
“We have met with the school community and will accept submissions on options for the future of the school until April 11,” Mr Eastcott said.
But Ms Goulder said the Martins Creek Public School community will fight the good fight.
“We’ve received 76 letters of support and the entire community is 100 per cent in support of us saving this school,” she said.
“I think we have good arguments for retaining the school. The parents of the students here now believe their children’s needs are being met, the government is committed to putting student’s first and we want to be supported. This school is very important to this community.”
