Tuart College

1981

Current coach of the Tuart Hill Swimming Club Ric Turner, who had taken over the coaching of the club’s top swimmers, leaves to join the newly formed Carine Swim Club. In doing so, he takes many of his swimmers with him.

1 April: A recommendation is made to the Cabinet to endorse the proposal of redeveloping Tuart Hill as a Senior College, due to the declining student numbers. The decision was made on the belief that Tuart Hill “could be phased out with the least dislocation to the student’s education”.

14 April: Minister for Education Bill Grayden neglects to answer whether or not he was made aware that the Parents and Citizen’s Association of Tuart Hill Senior High School contributed more than $100,000 towards the school’s facilities, including construction of the swimming pool. He instead cites, “figures relating to the value of equipment and facilities provided are not maintained in the Education Department”. Mr Grayden adds that any equipment that is not worn out will continue to be present in the school.

            It is believed that part of the reason for redeveloping Tuart Hill into a Senior College, is a result of possible Federal funds that will be made available to ensure young people aged between 16-17 who currently receive the dole, return to further their education in a senior college-type of environment. Having these disruptive children in a normal high school setting is far from preferred, particularly as an environment with an adult ethos is believed to be more beneficial.

15 April: Shadow Minister for Education Bob Pearce calls on the government to reverse their decision to close Tuart Hill, particularly due to the high level of student enrolments. Mr Pearce states that the decision was made without consulting students, parents or teachers. Furthermore, the concept of reorganising the school as a Senior College was due to the government unwillingly wanting to construct technical and adult education facilities. Minister for Education Bill Grayden declines an invitation to attend a public meeting at the school, citing parliamentary commitments, although newly appointed Director General of Education Dr David Mossenson planned to attend.

          The Education Department believes that a school with more than 1,000 enrolled students is too big although 900 students appear to be the optimum size, although no minimum size has been stated as preferred. Director General of Education Dr David Mossenson stated that “the Department had no desire to go back to the huge schools with more than 1,000 students”.

16 April: Between 800 and 900 parents attended the meeting held at Tuart Hill Senior High School where a motion was passed unanimously, “condemning him (Dr Mossenson) for refusing to accept an invitation to attend the meeting”. The meeting was said to have been organised by the Education Department to explain their position, although it appears that many of the questions raised were met with “That is a matter for political decision, I cannot give you an answer” by the Minister for Education, who was sent to the meeting on behalf of Dr Mossenson.

14 May: A petition is presented to the Legislative Assembly, signed by those affected by Tuart Hill Senior High School’s Closure, citing:

• The decision to close the school was made without given any notice

• No proper or adequate reasons were given for closing the school

• No proper inquiries were made of parents, students and citizens any potential consequences that would arise from closing the school

• The Minister of Education neglected attending the meeting

• No compensation was given to the Parents & Citizens’ Association, who have contributed an estimated $100,000 “for the construction of the swimming pool and other facilities” at the school

The petition closes with a request the Education Department will reverse their decision in closing Tuart Hill.