High schools to become Brisbane Water college

Umina and Woy Woy High Schools will merge from term one next year, becoming Brisbane Waters Secondary College.

The Minister for Education and Training, Mr John Aquilina, made the announcement last Thursday, August 9.

Umina High School, the larger of the two schools, was selected as the "middle school" campus for years 7 to 9 inclusive.

Woy Woy High School will be the senior school campus catering for years 10 to 12.

Both campuses expect to be able to offer a wider range of courses as a result of the new arrangement.

The Department of Education has been looking at the introduction of a new collegiate system throughout the Central Coast for over 12 months.

Umina High School principal, Mr Pat Lewis, was seconded to the regional office of the department as a project officer to examine all the issues involved and make a final recommendation to the regional superintendent, Mr Bill Low.

The Parents and Citizens Associations of all primary and secondary schools on the Peninsula were asked to look at the proposal, take it to the parents and to provide feedback to the Department.

They were also asked to undertake a survey for the most popular name for the proposed college if approved.

There was unanimous support from the eight P&C Associations for a collegiate arrangement.

Mr Aquilina said that the decision came after intensive consultation with the school community and feedback from parents.

"The middle school campus will concentrate on the needs of young adolescents," he said.

"Research shows that this is a critical period in students' educational development."

"The senior campus will focus on the specific needs of Year 11 and 12 students, offering more HSC courses and the opportunity to study vocational and university courses through the Hunter Institute of Techmnology and the University of Newcastle," he said.

The Minister said that the implementation of the new college system "means that students will stay at school longer, learn more and increase their employment options."

On hearing of the announcement, students at both high schools showed their displeasure by staging a sit-in at one school and a walk out at the other, according to combined P&C spokesperson Mr Bruce Graf.

He said this was to be expected, as many students had loyalties to their own school and their own teachers and would find the change difficult initially.

"We hope that, by term one of next year, they will have settled down.

"The combined P&C Associations will meet next week and issue a statement towards the end of the week," he said.

Mr Aquilina said: "A steering committee made up of school principals, parents, teachers, TAFE and the community will now be established to guide the implementation of the college.

"Sub-committees will look at school identity and uniforms, curriculum, welfare, training and development and transport.

"This partnership will ensure the best educational opportunities for local students."

He said $100,000 would be spent on a training and development program to assist teachers in their new roles.

"Master plans for the longer term capital needs of both colleges will be developed in conjunction with the school communities over the next six to 12 months," he said.

Member for Peats, Ms Marie Andrews, said the Minister's announcement was a good outcome for the Peninsula.

Ms Andrews said that, as part of the package, the Umina campus would receive a new covered outdoor learning area and that both campuses were to have new natural gas heating installed.

An information technology skills centre costing more than $500,000 would also be built at the Woy Woy campus.

"Funding received to date is a good start but I will continue to work hard to gain additional funding for both campuses", she said.

Cec Bucello, August 10