Page 1018 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 21 March 2012
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Schools—Taylor primary school
MR COE: My question is to the minister for education. Minister, Taylor primary school is currently closed due to damage from recent wet weather. I understand from briefings from your department that the school’s 210 pupils are currently housed in the Namadgi school classrooms and transported there each day from Taylor primary school. Given it is likely that repairs will not be completed before the start of term 2, will these transport arrangements continue?
DR BOURKE: I thank the member for his question. As he correctly states, this is a temporary closure. Transport, as he correctly notes, has been arranged for children from Taylor primary school to Namadgi school, and that will continue for this term.
MR SPEAKER: Mr Coe, a supplementary.
MR COE: In addition to whether the arrangements will continue in term 2, will this service continue to be provided at no cost to parents until classes resume at Taylor primary?
DR BOURKE: I thank the member for his question. I do not have the full reports on the extent of the damage to Taylor primary. I do not know that it will not be open next term. Therefore, I will need to get more information before I can answer that.
MS PORTER: A supplementary, Mr Speaker.
MR SPEAKER: Yes, Ms Porter, a supplementary.
MS PORTER: Minister, how have the parents and the community been informed and supported regarding the temporary closure of Taylor school?
DR BOURKE: I thank the member for her question. Most specifically, a community meeting was held on Thursday the 15th at Namadgi school to provide Taylor primary school parents and carers with the opportunity to meet with the directorate and the school staff and to discuss future arrangements. A second community meeting was held on Thursday the 22nd at the Namadgi school village performing arts centre to provide an additional update for parents and carers.
I notice that the most recent Southside Chronicle reported:
Taylor School P and C &C president Jo Lewis said although there had been little warning the school would be closed, the government had acted very quickly to ensure the safety of the children.
She said that families had been pleased with the communication and children had settled in well at Namadji—
Mrs Dunne: Point of order, Mr Speaker.
MR SPEAKER: One moment, Dr Bourke, thank you.
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