Marrickville High fights on

Date: 13 April 2001

Marrickville High web site

Marrickville high staff, students and parents are fighting the state government's 'draft proposal' to rationalise inner city schools.

This week they launched a web site as part of their community campaign to save Marrickville High, called "Save our School". The site captures the passion of students, parents and staff have in defending their community school.

For many years school communities in the inner city have faced the constant threat of restructuring or closure. The State Government appears to have banked on the school communities being demoralised. However, school communities have rallied with strength and vigour post the announcement.

Parents, students, teachers and community members have begun active campaigns to oppose the school closures, expose the weaknesses of the draft proposal and demand genuine consultation before decisions are implemented.

The atmosphere at the 1000 strong community meeting at Marrickville school hall on Thursday March 29, 2001 was akin to a bushfire.

The State Government has set alight the smouldering community anger about the chronic under-funding of public education and the proliferation of private schools. By the next morning media reports indicated that there may be a change of heart about Marrickville.

Overwhelmed by the amount of support from parents, students and the community, Marrickville High School staff and students,presented over 1400 letters of support for the school to Mr Aquilina at Parliament house this week.

Dr Refshauge, the local member who has continued to support the school, received a petition from over 1200 residents and acknowledged the substantial effort waged in a strategic campaign to save the school.

Starting two weeks ago with promotional material followed by a community meeting of nearly 1000 people, public awareness and support has strengthened.

The new website created this week provides access to the case, political pledges, letters, photos and questions raised by the community.

Marrickville High - Save our School web site

For further information

Union:	NSW Teachers Federation
Fax:	61-2-9217 2470
Email:	mail@nswtf.org.au
WWW:	http://www.nswtf.org.au/

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