July/August/September 2001 News

COMMUNITY for FITZROY HIGH SCHOOL inc REGISTERED
Community for Fitzroy High School is now a registered incorporated body.

WHAT WILL THE ORGANIZATION DO?
Fitzroy High School will provide another alternative for secondary education in the inner north of Melbourne.  Princes Hill Secondary College and Northcote High School already have high student numbers, so an alternative is sorely needed.

Community for Fitzroy High School has been formed to give the local inner north community a voice to convey our concerns and wishes for the school.  The organizations aims are:

• Promote the establishment of a High School on the former Fitzroy Secondary College site.
• Provide a vehicle for parent and community participation in planning and development of the High School.
• Liaise with, & encourage other compatible groups who may also use the site.
• Foster co-operation with other education providers.

However, new high schools don’t just appear, they have to be created.  Community for Fitzroy High School will:

• campaign for the school to be opened by 2003.
• seek the views of parents of potential students and the local community.
• represent the views of local parents and the community to the government and Dept. of education.
• liaise with, & encourage other compatible groups who may also use the site.
• initiate discussion about the type of school Fitzroy High could be.
• seek contact with local high schools to foster co-operation.

WHAT DOES MEMBERSHIP MEAN?
By becoming a member of Community for Fitzroy High School:

• your membership will be solid evidence to the government that the community supports the school.

• you will be kept informed of developments concerning the school.

•  you will have the opportunity to influence what form the school will take.

A member of Community for Fitzroy High School:

• does not necessarily have school aged children, or is obliged to enroll their children at the school if they do.

• does not have to pay – there are no subscription or joining fees.

• an nominate to be a on a committee to help with aspects concerning the school.

• can influence the direction of Community for Fitzroy High School by voting, (in person or by proxy) at General Meetings.

HOW DO I BECOME A MEMBER?
Become a member by downloading a membership application from here. Then simply fill it out and send it to Community for Fitzroy High School at P.O. Box 1023, Fitzroy North 3068, fax to 9482 3559, or if you live in the area leave it at your local Primary School office.

STILL NO ANNOUNCEMENT . . .
   even though The Melbourne Times were told an announcement would be made this month (read the article here), and school holidays start today.  We have been in contact with Richard Wynne, local state Parliament member, but he is unable to shed any further light on when the Minister might do something publicly.  We believe the bureaucrats have presented their reports to her.  Presumably we are waiting for the government to decide on an opportune, (for them) moment to make the announcement.

ARTICLE IN THE MELBOURNE TIMES
An article by Ingrid Svendsen appeared in last week's The Melbourne Times.  If you missed it read it here.

COMMUNITY for FITZROY HIGH SCHOOL inc CREATED
The General Meeting held on 23rd August 2001 at North Fitzroy Primary School voted to accept the Rules and Statement of Purposes, (which have been on this web site here since 3rd August).
Officers for the organization were also elected, being:

President               David Brant
Vice-President      Virginia Swanton (also Spensley St. PS representative)
Secretary               AnTony McPhee
Treasurer               Louise Johnson
Kate Jones             Merri Creek PS representative
Mark Pengilley       Northcote PS representative
Trish Jelbart           North Fitzroy PS representative
Clare Hargreaves   Westgarth PS representative

Two positions remained unfilled, they are for representatives of:
Alphington PS
Gold Street PS
If you are a parent at one of these schools and would like to contribute please contact  David Brant on  9486-1825 or email comment@fitzroyhigh.org.au.

IT’S STILL A WAITING GAME
Although an announcement was expected this month it looks unlikely it will happen (this being the last day of the month).  We believe work is being done within the Minister’s office and DEET on the school, but have no information on what that work is.  The film crew appear to have finished with the site so there is no reason why progress on re-opening the school should be held up.  There have been some indications an announcement of some sort may be made in September, although not necessarily a definitive YES to the school re-opening in 2003.  In fact we have heard talk of “preferred options” which is disconcerting.  Are they proposing another consultation process?  The Melbourne Times is still interested in the story, with an article in the near future.

FEEL FREE TO WRITE A LETTER
Why won’t the government make an announcement?  The premier let it slip it will open, Justin Madden, Assistant Minister for Education, put it in writing, what’s their problem?  People need to make decisions about their children’s futures.  We need a definitive answer.  Write to Mary Delahunty or the Premier and let them know your feelings.  Addresses are here.  Email a copy to comment@fitzroyhigh.org.au and share your frustration.

MEANWHILE, WHAT SORT OF SCHOOL DO WE WANT?
Discussion has turned to how we might help implementation of plans to open the school, and to what form the school may take.  The state government has released a new policy document on education.  “Public Education - The Next Generation”, available from http://www.sofweb.vic.edu.au/publiced/index.htm, copies are also here.  This document gives some insight into the thinking that may be happening in the Minister’s office.  Fitzroy High could be the first school to embrace the recommendations of this document.  It is worth a read if you are interested in what type of school Fitzroy high could be.  If you have any thoughts share them by emailing comment@fitzroyhigh.org.au.

COMMUNITY FOR FITZROY HIGH inc. CREATED
The General Meeting held on 23rd August 2001 voted unanimously  to adopt the Rules and Statement of Purposes, and to incorporate immediately.

VENUE CHANGE GENERAL MEETING 23rd August
The General Meeting to be held on 23rd August 2001, 7:30 p.m. will be at
North Fitzroy Primary School, Fergie Street, North Fitzroy.
Enter from Fergie Street entry.

GENERAL MEETING 23rd August
A General Meeting will be held on 23rd August 2001, 7:30 p.m. at Merri Creek Primary School, Ida Street, North Fitzroy.
The interim management committee as created at the Public meeting held on 18th May at Spensley Street Primary School has agreed on a set of rules and a Statement of Purposes for Community for Fitzroy High School, both required to incorporate under the state act.
The meeting will vote on adopting the proposed Rules and Statement of Purpose, and elect officers for the association.
The proposed Statement of Purposes is:

Promote the establishment of a High School on the former Fitzroy Secondary College site.
Provide a vehicle for parent and community participation in planning and development of the High School.
Liase with, & encourage other compatible groups who may also use the site.
Foster co-operation with other education providers.

The proposed rules and statement of purposes are available from here.

THE ORGANIZATION
Representatives are still being sought for Gold Street Primary and Alphington Primary.  If you are a parent at one of these schools and would like to contribute please contact us at comment@fitzroyhigh.org.au.

INFORMAL MEETING WITH THE MINISTER
A small group met informally with Mary Delahunty last Wednesday.
Although no promises emerged the discussion was useful to let the Minister know of the concerns of local residents and parents of potential students.
It was put to the Minister that besides ensuring the buildings are fixed up, it is critical that a Principal and senior teachers be appointed as soon as possible to ensure the school can set it self up.
The Minister explained that if opened she saw the school as being a totally new school, not the re-opening of an old school.  Also that it would have new innovative education programs that for fill the state government’s policies on education.
She said it is vital the local community support the school for it to open.  She seemed a little uncertain of the extent of support, particularly whether there is sufficient support to ensure adequate enrolments.
 It appears an announcement should be made sometime next month, the Minister said her department was putting together a budget to put to Treasury.
Although the meeting was positive the government has obviously not made it’s final decision.  It is vital they are made to understand the extent of support within the community for the school.  With the creation of Community for Fitzroy High School supporters will have a vehicle to communicate their views.  Keep posted for a membership drive.

LETTER FROM MINISTER'S OFFICE SAYS SCHOOL WILL RE-OPEN
Telmo Languiller, MP for Sunshine, has forwarded a letter he received from Justin Madden, Assistant Minister for Education.  Telmo Languiller, along with all other caucus members, was written to earlier in the year seeking support for re-opening the school.
The letter includes the line:

"I am advised that the Minister has responded favorably to the report by the Site Review Panel and the School will be reopened."

Telmo Languiller has shown strong support for the school and we thank him for his efforts.
Read the full letter here.

THE ORGANIZATION
The interim management committee of Community for Fitzroy High School held it's first meeting last Thursday at North Carlton Primary School (Lee Street, Carlton).  It was well attended and will meet again in two weeks time to finalize the association rules.  The committee is aiming for a General Meeting late August, hopefully coinciding with a government announcement! Representatives are still being sought for Gold Street Primary and Alphington Primary.  If you are a parent at one of these schools and would like to contribute please contact us at comment@fitzroyhigh.org.au.