Ulladulla High School’s leadership is shocked by the decision of Minister for Education Rob Stokes to not establish a new school in the region.
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“I am disappointed,” Ulladulla High School principal Denise Lofts said.
“Emotionally, I am really disappointed that it’s off the table, that it’s not even able to be considered.”
On Thursday, January 31, the Milton Ulladulla Times revealed Mr Stokes’ decision to deny a greatly needed second high school in area, citing “insufficient demand” as the reason.
This statement comes amid a growing number of subdivisions being approved in Ulladulla, Milton, Narrawallee and Dolphin Point, the Australian Bureau of Statistics and Shoalhaven City Council’s projected population growth and the increasing popularity of the area with young families.
Ulladulla High School, the only secondary school in a one-hour radius, has 1200 students this year, making it almost double the size of Shoalhaven High School's 632 students and Bomaderry High School's 718 students.
It is the largest secondary school in the Shoalhaven with Vincentia High School’s 1013 students and Nowra High School’s 1009 students following behind.
“A new public educational facility for our community is good for all of us,” Mrs Lofts said.
“This was for all of our students and our community. We just can’t believe it.
“Please continue to sign the petition and send letters.
“Our kids are worth it.”
Ulladulla High School P&C president Matt Knight said he felt let down when he learnt of the decision.
He, like a number of others in the area, was pushing for the state government to buy the site of the now defunct Shoalhaven Anglican School in Milton and turn it into the senior campus of Ulladulla High School.
“A senior campus for years 11 and 12, as an annex of Ulladulla High School, could be an amazing outcome,” he said.
“It could build on the great work Denise [Lofts] and the staff are doing.
“It would give senior students a space to really focus on the HSC, as well as relieving the space on the current grounds.”
Like others in the community Mr Knight said he found Mr Stokes’ claim that enrolments will start to decline at the school doubtful.
“Given the large amount of anecdotal evidence of rapid population growth in our area it is hard to believe the model showing a population decline is accurate,” he said.
“We encourage community members to have their say and speak up so elected representatives can take action for the benefit of the region.”
Ulladulla High School P&C vice president Ruth Myers said the decision was extremely “shortsighted”.
“I’m surprised by the decision,” she said.
“It seems incredibly shortsighted that the government is telling us we are an area that is not going to need this. We clearly need it now and there is evidence this area is growing.
“There is a school onsite that is ready to go. It is an opportunity that is being missed and overlooked without proper consultation with the community.”
NSW Minister for Education Rob Stokes has not returned calls for comment.
Department of Education director of public school Murray Campbell declined to comment.
