Member for Davidson, Jonathan O’Dea, is again calling on the State Government to ensure appropriate funding is allocated to Killara High School.
“Killara High School is one of the three largest government schools in the state with almost 1500 students and an outstanding academic record. The Government has an obligation to its teachers, staff and especially the students to ensure the school receives appropriate funding to meet local education demand.
“Sadly, the State Labor Government has failed to match its funding with the school’s outstanding success in attracting new students and coping with increasing local population,” Mr O’Dea said.
“As a result, the school suffers from acute overcrowding and associated problems.
“There are 14 demountable classrooms, some of which have experienced serious problems such as power and water leakage, while the aged science laboratories struggle to meet occupational health and safety standards.
“Despite its size, Killara High School sits on just 3 hectares of land, half that of a typical high school and desperately needs to expand,” Mr O’Dea said.
“I encourage the Government to give priority to a new building on the site and look at a proposal to better utilise Crown Land opposite the school currently designated for recreational use.
I also call on the Government to seriously consider the business plan put before it by the Killara High School P & C Association, through the Director General of Education.
I congratulate the P & C for developing the business plan and for seeking solutions to the challenges now facing the school and looking forward to how Government, Community and Commerce can work together to develop schools of the future.
Recognition must also be given to the many local parents who have donated not only their time and effort but also more than a million dollars on building works at the school in the past 5 years.
“It’s now time for the Government to pull its weight – and look to the future.”
“The Government needs to release the necessary funding as soon as possible so that the teachers, staff and students can be provided with the modern, state-of-the-art facilities they deserve,” Mr O’Dea concluded.
