[Greens-Media] NSW Upper House calls for rethink on Gosford PS relocation

[John Kaye]

NSW Upper House calls for rethink on Gosford PS relocation
 
Media release: 31 May 2011
 
A motion moved by the Greens calling for the NSW government to review
the decision to relocate Gosford Public School onto the grounds of a
nearby high school was unanimously supported by members of the Upper
House (See below for motion).
 
Greens NSW MP John Kaye said: "The decision to sell valuable waterfront
property at Gosford Public School was a blatant cash grab by the state
government.
 
"The government has inexplicably decided to relocate the primary school
on the grounds of Henry Kendall High School.
 
"Co-locating primary and high school students on the one site is
totally inappropriate and unacceptable to both parents and teachers.
 
"Students will be forced to learn in cramped and noisy classrooms. The
playground areas will be inadequate.
 
"The co-location is in breach of occupational health and safety
guidelines. It will locate two different titles on the same site without
clear boundaries and delineation.
 
"According to local member Chris Holstein the redevelopment of Gosford
will attract 10,000 new residents to the area. At the same time his
government is forever blocking any potential expansion of both schools
with this decision. 
 
"Coalition members of the NSW Upper House have thrown their support
behind the concerned parents and teachers from both schools. 
 
"It is time for the Minister for Education Adrian Piccoli to step in
and find the primary school a suitable alternative to the Henry Kendall
site that meets the needs of all the students," Dr Kaye said. 
 
For more information: John Kaye 0407 195 455 
 
Dr Kaye moved*
 
1. That this House notes that:
 
(a) the decision to sell valuable waterfront property at Gosford Public
School and relocate the school onto the grounds of Henry Kendall High
School is seriously flawed and detrimental to the educational outcomes
of all the students concerned,
 
(b) the relocation is opposed by teachers and parents from both
schools,
 
(c) co-locating primary and secondary students on the same site is
totally inappropriate and will result in cramped, noisy and unsafe
conditions in classrooms and in the playground,
 
(d) the proposal breaches occupational health and safety guidelines in
several areas; by, in part, locating two different titles on the same
site without clear boundaries and clear delineation,
 
(e) the special needs unit at Henry Kendall High School will be
severely impacted by the relocation,
 
(f) the concerns of parents of Gosford Public School students that
their children will be exposed to potentially harmful electromagnetic
fields from the substation next to the Henry Kendall site, 
 
(g) the relocation will constrain future growth at both schools, and
 
(h) the local member, Mr Chris Holstein MP, has said that the
redevelopment of Gosford will attract 10,000 new residents to the area.
 
2. That this House recognises the concerns raised by parents and
teachers at Gosford Public School and Henry Kendall High School and
joins with them in calling on the Minister for Education to put a halt
to plans to relocate Gosford Public School and, in particular, to:
 
(a) review the decision to relocate the primary school onto the grounds
of the high school, and
 
(b) offer Gosford Public School parents and teachers an alternative
site which is suitable and meets the educational and personal security
needs of the students at the school and protects the occupational health
and safety of teachers.
 
(Notice given 25 May 2011, Passed the House 27 May 2011)