News

DEMOLITION UNDER WAY
Demolition work is continuing on site. The 3 storey library building at the back of the site is having asbestos removed, and demolition of this building is programmed to commence 18th March.
See some pictures.

PLANNING WORK CONTINUING
The Architects, (Hayball Leonard Stent), are completing the final drawings for the new works. Construction of the new works should start some time in June.
See the master plan drawings.

2004 ENROLMENTS
At the last Planning Committee meeting there was discussion on having a cap on year 7 enrolments. This is to ensure there is not an excess of students in any one year. As there are 375 students spread over 4 year levels the cap is likely to be around 90 to 100 students. Year 8 is unlikely to be capped, although distance from Fitzroy High may be taken into account.
If you have any thoughts email them to comments@fitzroyhigh.org.au

SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
Mark Thompson, principal of Roxburgh Park Primary School, spoke to the D.E.T. Planning Committee at length about his experience setting up a new school. One of his comments was that he would have liked to have been involved earlier than the start of the 4th term before the school opened. This would have given him more time to forge contacts with the local community and be involved earlier in planning of the buildings works.
Community members of the DET Planning committee are still pushing for early appointment of a Principal. We believe DET will make a submission to the Minister for Education, Lynne Kosky.
Because Fitzroy High is opening in an established area, has a brief to develop innovative educational programs, and includes a Teacher development Unit, we believe it is vital a Principal be appointed early so the considerable work required to establish these programs can be completed before the school opens. The aim is to have a principal selected by term 2 and appointed at the start of term 3.
To help our case write or email Lynne Kosky and/or Joe Corbett (DET Planning committee chair) with the reasons you would like to see the early appointment of a principal.

INFORMATION SESSIONS
D.E.T. (Dept. Education & Training) are organizing an information session for early April, likely to be at North Fitzroy Primary School. This will be for prospective students and parents of Fitzroy High.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Community for Fitzroy High will hold its Annual General Meeting on Thursday 13th March 2003 at Spensley Street Primary School. You should receive a separate notice about this event.
Besides the (brief) formal matters that must be attended to, it will be a chance for members to hear the latest information about the school, and where possible have your questions answered. Community Members of the DET Planning committee will be there and are keen to hear you views and concerns so they can take them back to the committee.
If you have any questions you would like answered at this meeting email them to comments@fitzroyhigh.org.au and we will see what we can do.

SPONSORS
A new sponsor who has paid our domain registration fees, www.portdouglas-oakbeach.com . Holiday beach houses at Port Douglas, tropical north Queensland. Very cheap introductory rates for a free standing self contained beach house with 2 bedrooms and large separate rumpus room. Email them for more information.
Thank you to the Big Duck and Fish company, 161 St Georges Road, (opposite the north end of Edinburgh Gardens), for sponsoring us. Visit their shop for hand made ceramic table ware and other house products.
Alphalink have generously agreed to host this web site. AlphaLink is located near Piedmonts supermarket and provide dial-up and broadband internet services.

DEMOLITION UNDER WAY
Demolition work has started on site. The demountable buildings on Michael street and west side have been removed. The 3 storey library building at the back of the site has had some asbestos removed, and will have the remainder removed in the new year.
See some pictures.

PLANNING WORK CONTINUING
The Architects, (Hayball Leonard Stent), have completed the design stage for the new works, which have been approved, and are progressing on with detailed design. The current programme is for a builder to start on site some time around April 2003.
See the master plan drawings.

2004 ENROLMENTS
At the last Planning Committee meeting DET representatives admitted they believed there would be healthy enrolments for Fitzroy High school. It appears the number of people writing to the regional DET office voicing their dissatisfaction with their child's enrolment offer has made them realise there is a REAL need of another secondary school in the area. Zoning policy was also discussed. All children who have Fitzroy High as their closest school (as the crow flies) will be accepted. The basis for children not falling into this category is yet to be decided, but is unlikely to be curriculum based. It could be first come- first serve, or distance from the school. This issue will be tackled early next year. If you have any thoughts email them to members@fitzroyhigh.org.au

SCHOOL PRINCIPAL & COUNCIL
We are still pushing DET to appoint a Principal and establish a school council early next year. Their may be some hope of getting a Principal appointed around June.
We thank those people who indicated they would be interested in being involved in the school council. We will be in contact early next year.

INFORMATION SESSIONS
Community for Fitzroy High will be holding an Annual General Meeting early February next year. We will make this meeting an information night for Fitzroy High so that many of your questions can hopefully be answered, and you can make your concerns known.
If you have any questions you would like answered at this meeting email them to members@fitzroyhigh.org.au and we will see what we can do.
DET have also indicated they are likely to conduct an information session early in the new year, but probably closer to the time enrolment offers come out.

SPONSORS
Thank you to the Big Duck and Fish company, 161 St Georges Road, (opposite the north end of Edinburgh Gardens), for sponsoring us. Visit their shop for hand made ceramic table ware and other house products, ideal for Christmas. They are open Saturday and Sunday this week-end.
Alphalink have generously agreed to host this web site. AlphaLink is located near Piedmonts supermarket and provide dial-up and broadband internet services. Those living in Abbotsford, Carlton, Carlton North, Clifton Hill, Fitzroy or Fitzroy North might want to check out their broadband wireless service.

ITS OFFICAL!
The state government has placed a sign on the site. It says:

School Re-opening: Including
Refurbishment of 3 Storey Building
Total Funding $6 million
Due to commence 2003

MASTERPLAN APPROVED
The master plan has been approved. The Architects, (Hayball Leonard Stent), are currently developing the design so construction can start in early 2003. We expect demolition to commence this year. Download the master plan drawings from Masterplan in the left window.

THE GYM
The gym has now closed in anticipation of demolition works commencing. There was a fair bit of disappointment attached to its closure. As demolition work is occurring right next to the gym it would not be safe to allow its continued use.
There is the possibility it could be re-opened for use next year while building works are going on, but a number of issues would need to be resolved:

• DET (Dept Education & Training) Facilities department stopped the school opening in 2003 because they said "Facilities will not recommend to the minister that students be on site during construction in 2003". They would have to be convinced to allow children to use the gym during construction.
• There will be building works within the gym building. The current Weights area will become a Drama/Music room, and the toilets and canteen will be refurbished. If the gym is to be used these building works will have to be programmed differently from the rest of the work, but in any case it means the gym would not be available for some period next year.
• Re-programming the works, additional hoardings and possibly additional insurances will all cost extra money. Unless additional funding can be found this money will need to be recovered from any income generated by the gym. The extra costs won't be known until a builder is selected, at earliest February next year. It is possible the extra costs will make it uneconomic to lease the gym.
• Future use of the gym will be governed by the school council, yet to be created. DET and the Planning Committee can't make any long term commitments over the use of the gym.

Community for Fitzroy High support the continued use of the gym, but don't believe it should be at the expense of establishing the High School. We will continue to press DET to explore ways for the gym to be used next year. DET have already attempted to assist gym users by providing a list of possible alternative venues within the immediate area. Richard Wynne, local MLA, has also approached the minister about this issue.

MEETING FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS
A meeting has been organized by the DET Fitzroy High Planning Committee for local residents. This meeting is to inform local residents about the building works that will be occurring.
It is not to discuss the school, (enrolments, curriculum, etc.), or use of the gym. A meeting will be organized next term to discuss these issues. If you live around the school and think you will be effected by the building works go along to this meeting, Saturday 7th September, 10:00am in the gym.

SCHOOL COUNCIL
We have been pushing DET to establish a school council early next year. The current DET Planning Committee has no real power, it merely advises the DET Northern Regions Director. A proper school council will have more power to make decisions for the school, including staff appointments, curriculum, use of the gym, networks with surrounding schools, use of the Teacher Development Unit, etc.
If you would like to be involved in the school council, particularly (although not necessarily) if you have a child who would start in 2004, email us at members@fitzroyhigh.org.au

2003 OPENING NOT GOING TO HAPPEN
The committee had worked out, taking into account the short amount of time available, how it could be possible to accommodate some year 7 classes in 2003 (for more info. refer earlier news below). The committee requested a definitive answer from the Department of Education & training (DET) facilities branch on whether they supported this approach. In response a representative from facilities attended the most recent meeting of the committee. The answer was:
"Facilities will not recommend to the minister that students be on site during construction in 2003".
They cited occupational health and safety issues as the reason.
It is unlikely the minister will act contrary to their recommendations. If you are disappointed write, fax or email the Minister for Education:

The Hon L Kosky MP (Lynne)
Minister for Education and Training
Level 1, 2 Treasury Place
EAST MELBOURNE VIC 3002
Fax: 9637 2800
Email: lynne.kosky@parliament.vic.gov.au

ENROLMENTS
Time has effectively run out for parents selecting high schools for their children this year, so there is little point pursuing a 2003 opening. Therefore the committee will concentrate on ensuring a February 2004 opening for years 7 & 8. In particular, to ensure information about the school will be available to parents at the same time as other schools in 2003, so they can make a decision with some certainty. We believe there is a strong commitment by DET and the Minister for a 2004 opening.

THE BUILDINGS
The Master plan was submitted for final approval on 27th May. It was not approved and a number of changes were made at their request (presumably to reduce cost). The most significant were changing the new building from 2 storey to single storey, and adding a 2 storey extension to the east side of the main building. The revised master plan is being submitted again today for approval. If it gains approval the architect will commence work on detailed design of the school. The committee is pushing to have building works on site started this year, probably demolition and hazardous material removal.

FUNDING IN THE BUDGET
The state budget handed down last week included funds for Fitzroy High School. Although the amount was not spelt out in publicly available documents, we believe a figure of $6 million has been allocated.

THE BUILDINGS
The Planning Committee has agreed on a master plan which will now be submitted to the Department for approval, tentatively on 23rd May. Two crucial items have not been approved by the Northern region director of DET (Dept of Education & Training): The demolition of the 70's library building at the rear, and the use of the demountable building on Michael street as temporary accommodation for a year 7 2003 intake. We are hoping these will be approved when the complete master plan is submitted.
If the demountable building on Michael street cannot be used the school will not open in 2003.

ENROLMENTS
The planning committee is to meet next on 30th May, by which time it should be known if the master plan has been approved. We also expect to have some idea of the building program. It is expected this meeting will determine if a 2003 opening is realistic.
In any case we have been told by DET Fitzroy High will NOT be included in secondary school information sent to parents of year 6 students. If Fitzroy High is to open in 2003 a separate form will be issued at a later date.
There is also the possibility a 2003 opening, although announced, will be dependant on certain things happening in time. Therefore parents should think carefully about their alternative choice to Fitzroy High.

2003 OPENING
Community for Fitzroy High School members of the Planning Committee believe it is possible to open the school in 2003. The planning committee has for-filled DET's requirements in a timely manner, there is little more community members can do. The DET bureaucracy, although co-operative, have little incentive to strive for a 2003 opening. Richard Wynne, our local state member, has been trying hard to get a commitment from the minister, as it is really only the minister who has the power to ensure it happens.

If you want to see the school open in 2003 write, fax or email to the Minister for Education and let her know your views. The sooner the better, click on the email link below and send it straight away!

The Hon L Kosky MP (Lynne)
Minister for Education and Training
GPO Box 266D, Melbourne 3001

Fax: 9637 2800
Email: lynne.kosky@parliament.vic.gov.au

NEWSPAPER ARTICLE
An article in the Monday, 13th May, issue of The Melbourne Yarra Leader.

A short newsletter to keep you up to date. The planning committee believes it is still on target for a 2003 opening, pending positive approvals from the department of education and the minister.

THE BUILDINGS
The Planning Committee has agreed on a brief for the Architect, who can now do the planning work necessary to set the school out. The committee had to 'adjust' the standard DEET facilities brief to accommodate an innovative educational program within the school. Additional facilities to accommodate a teacher training program have also be included.
The proposed teacher training program and innovative curriculum will be the subject of a future newsletter.
The Architects will present the master plan design to the committee on the 18th April, if approved it will then be submitted to DEET for approval.

ENROLMENTS
Parents will be submitting their preferred public secondary school applications early June. They will be notified if their first preference is unsuccessful in August, with final acceptance notified in September.
The committee's preferred position that there be a separate application form for Fitzroy High.
The process would be parents complete two application forms. Some time before August when it is 100% certain Fitzroy High will be opening in 2003, those that submitted an application for Fitzroy High will be notified and asked if they want Fitzroy High to take precedence over the other schools they applied for. This method ensures parents who opt for Fitzroy High will still be in the standard application loop and will not be disadvantaged if it does not open in 2003.
It looks like the year 7 intake in 2003 will be 75 students, or 3 classes. Zoning does not exist so applications will be accepted from anywhere in the state. As the grounds will only be able to fit 75 students in 2003 a cap will be applied. If there are more applications than the 75 student cap a 'residential distance from the school' criteria will be applied.
The planning committee intends to organize an open day at the Fitzroy High grounds some time in May.

NEWSPAPER ARTICLE
An article in the Monday, 11th March, issue of The Australian, education section.

PLANNING COMMITTEE CONTINUES TO MEET
The Planning Committee for the establishment of Fitzroy High School has been meeting weekly, and is progressing well through DEET requirements for the creation of the school. A sub-group has been formed to meet separately with the Architects to develop the brief and internal layout of the school.

VISION STATEMENT FOR THE SCHOOL
The Planning Committee have formulated a Vision Statement and a Curriculum framework to guide the master planning of the school, which are contained in the Education Specification for the school.
The full Educational Specification will be put on www.fitzroyhigh.org.au when the final minor adjustments have been completed. Meanwhile have a look at the Vision statement and Curriculum description.
The vision statement will now be submitted to the regional directory of DEET for her approval.
We would be interested in your views. Send them in to us. Any comments, no matter how short, long, or incoherent will be welcome. Send them to members@fitzroyhigh.org.au.

THE BUILDINGS
There are more than enough buildings on the site for the DEET area allowance for a 375 student school. The Planning Committee has looked a number of options for how the buildings could be configured.
The preferred option of the committee for the final layout of the school is to demolish the two portable buildings (on east & west sides of the old school building), demolish the 3 storey building against the western boundary (that over looks houses on Delbridge street), re-fit the original building (including the 1960's addition on the back), and build a new two or three storey building, probably on Michael street.
This recommendation will now be put to the regional directory of DEET for her approval.

TIMING
The Planning Committee is still working towards year 7 classes starting at the beginning of the 2003 academic year.
It is proposed to stage the building works so that the portable classrooms along Michael street are kept to house the year 7 classes while building work is completed on re-fitting the old school building (including the 1960's addition).
The year 7 students would have access to the gym and rear quadrangle area of the school during this period.
It is expected that building work will be completed by the middle of next year, at which time the year 7 classes will move into the renovated building. The portable building would then be demolished and the new building built.
The committee is working towards agreeing on the final master plan by mid April. The master plan would then be costed and put to the government for funding in the 2002-2003 budget. The budget is normally announced in May.

ENROLMENTS
We are painfully aware parents need to make decisions about which high school to enrol their children at very soon.
Inclusion of the school in the May budget will be the trigger for a 2003 start. Once this announcement has been made a building program will be formulated to ensure year sevens can safely be accommodated on the site from February 2003.
The community members will then also apply pressure to have a Principal appointed ASAP.
The committee is also aware of the uncertainty people may have that the 2003 start will actually be delivered. We have discussed, and will pursue, ways to ensure people are not disadvantaged if they select Fitzroy High as their first choice, and the school is not ready to start in 2003.
We are conscious parents need more information. A few members of the planning committee are speaking to parents of local Primary school next week, and intent to do the same at other primary schools. So keep you eyes and ears out for future seminars on Fitzroy High.

CONTENTIOUS ISSUES
Community members of the Planning Committee are still battling on a number of fronts for the school. In brief these are:
Years 11 & 12
Because the Minister said the school would be for years 7 to 10, with years 11 & 12 to be considered later if there is demand, DEET are saying we can only plan for a year 7 to 10 school. This is clearly untenable as parents need to know what is likely to happen when their children reach year 11. We believe resolution on this issue is close.
Student Numbers
DEET facilities have decided the school will have 375 students, including any future years 11 & 12. All advice is this number is too low, certainly for viable years 11 & 12. Remember Kennett closed schools of this size!
We believe years 11 & 12 should be added to this figure bringing it up to around 475 students.
Innovative Education
The Review panel report, and subsequent Minister's statement referred to the school having an innovative education program. The Planning committee are investigating what this means. We are finding the standard DEET allowance for schools does not meet the needs for innovative education. For example, it allows for 6 class rooms where we figure 10 would be needed to run an innovative program.
Involvement of Outside Groups
Again the Review panel report and subsequent Minister's statement referred the inclusion of groups outside of DEET in use of the site. DEET do not believe they have the authority, or interest, in facilitating this. There is little point in community members initiating discussions with outside groups if the authority to act on agreements is not there. However, we do believe DEET have agreed to include some form of teaching training facilities in the school.

None of these issues will stop a school being set up. They relate to ensuring future flexibility of the school so when the Principal and school council are in place they won't be trying to initiate innovative programs in a restrictive standard school setting. Meanwhile Community members of the Planning Committee are actively seeking the (new) Minister's support on these issues.

NEWSPAPER ARTICLES
An article in the February 27th issue of the Melbourne Times, An Age article from 16th February on the new Minister, Lynne Kosky, where she outlines her vision for education (reads like a blue print for Fitzroy High!). See it here.
Look out for an article in next Monday, 11th March, issue of The Australian, education section. A feature article on Fitzroy High school.

PLANNING COMMITTEE CONTINUES TO MEET
The Planning Committee for the establishment of Fitzroy High School has met twice this year with another meeting next week, as well as visiting the site to look at the buildings. At the meeting last week the Architects talked about the state of the existing buildings, this week three committee members presented the latest thinking on education reform and teacher training. Next week the committee will tackle the Educational Specification (see below), in particular a vision statement for the school.

THE BUILDINGS
The Minister has approved the establishment of a school of 350-375 students. DEET has formulas for allowable areas for a school of this size. The Architects reported there are more than enough buildings on the site for the allowable area, even if the two demountable buildings are demolished. Preliminary investigation has found all buildings contain asbestos, which will require more detailed investigation and eventual removal.

PROGRAMME
We were aghast to learn that DEET had let the site out to another film company until June this year. We have asked for an assurance this practice will stop, but are unsure how, or if, it will impact on the programme. The Architects presented a preliminary "optimistic" program that had work on site starting at the end of June, with construction finishing at the end of April 2003. However, with staging of the works, it may still be possible to create enough facilities for some year 7 classes at the beginning of the 2003 academic year. This will be investigated further by the committee.

VISION STATEMENT FOR THE SCHOOL
DEET procedures insist an "Educational Specification" be created before the Architects can commence a master plan for the school. This document is supposed to describe the school and its place within its local community and environment. For a school that doesn't yet exist this task can appear particularly daunting. Without an existing school community of students, parents and teachers how can this be done?
The first part of the Educational Specification asks for a Vision Statement for the school and description of the School Charter.
The vision statement could include a range of issues such as visions for:
- academic educational outcomes
- general educational outcomes
- social conscience
- environmental sensitivity
- involvement of broader community in education provision
- broad educational use of the school site (e.g. Adult education, teacher training)
- community use of the site

However, it is important Fitzroy High reflects the wishes and aspirations of potential parents, students and the local community, not just those of the Panning committee.
Therefore we ask you to write down your thoughts on the type of school you would like Fitzroy High to be, and send them in to us. Any comments, no matter how short, long, or incoherent will be welcome.

Please email your comments to comment@fitzroyhigh.org.au, or Fax to 9481 3829 by
Wednesday 6th February 2002

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