SYKES WINS EDUCATION MINISTER SUPPORT FOR TATONG SCHOOL

Minister for Education, Lynne Kosky, has given her support to the Tatong community’s efforts to reopen the Tatong Primary School.

In response to a request in Parliament last night by The Nationals Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes, Ms Kosky said, “I can assure the Member for Benalla that the department will assist this process (of the school reopening) in a timely and helpful manner.

Dr Sykes said, “This is good news for the Tatong community as Minister Kosky’s support means that there will be clear guidance on what needs to be done to reopen the school.

“I will continue to encourage the Tatong community to work with the Regional Education Department staff to address the many issues involved in restarting the Tatong Primary School.

Dr Sykes continued, “The Tatong school closed earlier this year after having educated local children for over 100 years.

“The closure occurred as a result of dwindling student numbers to a stage where only five students were attending the school. At this point the parents of those students withdrew them from the school and the school closed.

“A significant factor in the dwindling student numbers was the community feeling that they didn’t have enough say in the operation of the school because it is part of the Peranbin Primary College which includes Swanpool, Violet Town, Baddaginnie and Strathbogie Primary Schools.

“Local parents have committed 15 students to attend Tatong Primary School next year if it operates as a stand alone school.

“Ms Kosky demonstrated her genuine preparedness to help by pointing out that whilst the school would have to commence as Peranbin, it could do it in an unstaffed capacity and then work through the steps to establish stand alone status.

“I congratulate Ms Kosky for this commonsense solution to a potential stumbling block in the re-establishment of Tatong Primary School.

Dr Sykes concluded, “I am very pleased to have won Minister Kosky’s support for the re-establishment of Tatong Primary School.

The Tatong community, lead by Dennis Scott, Daniel Grima & Mark Saunders now have a big job to address the many tasks ahead of them.

“I will continue to assist with the reopening of the school as a stand alone school.

Media contact: Bill Sykes (03) 5762 2100 or 0427 624 989