October/November/December 2001 News

PLANNING COMMITTEE HAS MET
The Planning Committee for the establishment of Fitzroy High School had its first meeting last Wednesday, 12th December. The committee is large, with 17 members. 5 are from surrounding High schools, 4 are parent representatives from local primary schools, 3 community representatives, and 3 from other interest groups, (City of Yarra, Deakin University and Leadership Victoria). The committee is chaired by DEET, and there is also a DEET facilities person on the committee.
The meeting was very positive and covered much useful ground. All appreciated the urgency and steps were taken to ensure the process continued next year.
An Architect has been selected and will be appointed this week.
The committee will meet 3 times early next year, as well as visit the site.
By early February we should know the extent of work needed at the Falconer street site, and have a timetable for opening of the school.

ONLY YEARS 7-10?
The minister has only given the go-ahead for the establishment of a Year 7 to 10 school. This implies there is no funding, or planning, for a future extension to years 11 & 12. This issue was brought up, as it would not be sensible to exclude the possibility, or unnecessarily add to the cost, of including years 11 & 12 in the future.
We will ensure the committee investigates this further, but we would like to hear your views on this matter.
-Would the lack of years 11 & 12 at the school effect your decision to enrol your child?
-If there are no years 11 & 12 would you expect DEET to offer a guaranteed alternative at another school?
-If so, which school?

email your comments to comment@fitzroyhigh.org.au

PLANNING COMMITTEE TO MEET
The Northern Metropolitan Region of DEET (Dept Education, Employment & Training) has finally arranged the first meeting of the Fitzroy High School Planning Committee for next Wednesday.
We expect this meeting to be only an introductory session. It is a pity it is so close to Christmas, as it looks like nothing will be started this year.
We will be asking a range of questions at this meeting, with particular reference to a 2003 starting date.
ANOTHER PRESS ARTICLE
An article in The AEU (Australian Education Union) Newsletter.
Read it at here.

PLANNING COMMITTEE ANNOUNCED BY MINISTER
Last Wednesday the Minister for Education, Mary Delahunty, announced in Parliament the opening of Fitzroy High School and the establishment of a Planning committee to oversee its implementation. From Hansard:

"But to facilitate that I am delighted to a nnounce today that a planning committee will be formed and that the architect for the site will be appointed in the next two weeks. I have specifically requested that the regional director include on that planning committee community representatives including Antony McPhee, David Brant and Claire Hargreaves, who were part of that broad group that fought so hard to reopen the school. It will also include parents, principals from the other local secondary colleges, local government and a representative of the universities."

See the full text here, or see it at the Victorian Government Hansard web site.

MINISTER ANNOUNCES OPENING OF SCHOOL
Last Sunday the Minister for Education, Mary Delahunty, announced that Fitzroy high School would be re-opened.  From her press release:

Ms Delahunty said every endeavour would be made to have the school open for Year 7 students in 2003.
"In the event that ambitious deadline can't be met, Fitzroy Secondary College will definitely open for Year 7 and 8 students on the first day of the first term of the 2004 school year."
Fitzroy Secondary College will eventually provide a Year 7-10 program for more than 300 students.
The College will also develop a School Centre for Excellence, focusing on innovative programs for Middle Years students. This could include a demonstration unit for teacher trainees.
"Following discussion with other schools in the area, a decision will be made about also providing a full VCE program, and expanding to Years 11 and 12," Ms Delahunty said.

Read the full press release here.
There were about 100 people at the announcement, with excellent music provided by students from Princes Hill Secondary College, and a sausage sizzle.  Champagne flowed after the announcement.  See the photographs here.

PRESS ARTICLES
A number of press articles appeared about the re-opening announcement.  Read them here.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
At the opening the Minister said that this week she would be setting up a Planning committee to oversee the opening of the school.  We expect this committee to have community representatives on it.  Community for Fitzroy High will also be making initiatives to seek the views of potential parents, and to present those views to the Planning committee.

ANNOUNCEMENT TODAY!
Good media coverage of Education Minister Mary Delahunty's planned announcement about re-opening the school.  Most reports describe what she will be saying.  Read them in the media section. 

ARTICLE IN THE MELBOURNE TIMES
Another article in The Melbourne times this week, read it here.
An unfortunate headline, "Fitzroy High decision delayed".  The decision has NOT been delayed, it is happening this Sunday.  All the indications are that the re-opening of the school will be announced.  Hopefully a time-table and creation of an implementation body will also be announced.

COME TO THE SCHOOL LAUNCH
A real show is being put on, with music from the students of Princes Hill, and a  sausage sizzle to keep hunger away.
The Minister for Education, Mary Delahunty, will arrive at the Fitzroy High School grounds (MAP)  at
12:00 a.m. on Sunday 21st October
Come along, bring the kids, grandparents, uncles and aunts. And some champagne and party poppers to celebrate!

CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE
Richard Wynne, state parliament member for Richmond has tirelessly pursued this issue, at times putting himself on the line within government circles to ensure the school re-opens.  Without Richard's support and political knowledge we would not have got this far in our battle to re-opening Fitzroy High School.  If you get the opportunity, thank Richard for his hard work.

CHANGE IN TIME FOR SCHOOL LAUNCH
The Minister for Education, Mary Delahunty, will arrive at the Fitzroy High School grounds (MAP)  at
12:00 a.m. on Sunday 21st October
Come along, bring the kids and grand parent, and some champagne and party poppers just in case there will be something to celebrate.

WHEN WILL IT OPEN?
The Review Panel recommended the school open in 2003.  We keep hearing rumors about 2004.  The need exists NOW, so the expectation is for the school to open as soon as possible.  If the buildings can not be made ready by February 2003 (although it is hard to imagine why they couldn’t), other arrangements should be made to commence a year 7 intake, perhaps located at another school.  If the Minister doesn’t announce it will open in 2003, ask why not – we deserve an answer.

AN ANNOUNCEMENT - FINALLY!!!
The Minister for Education, Mary Delahunty, intends to make an announcement at the Fitzroy High School grounds, (MAP) on
Sunday 21st October at 11:00 a.m.
We don’t know what the announcement contains, although we have previously been told “a school is part of all options being considered”.  We also don’t know what starting date (if any) will be announced.
So come along and find out for yourselves.  Bring some champagne and party poppers just in case there will be something to celebrate.

WHAT’S NEXT?
If an announcement is made that the school will be opening, the next phase is to establish what type of school it will be.  The Review Panel report  canvassed a range of options for both the site and the school.  The state government has also released a new policy document on education..  If you have any thoughts share them by emailing here.  The committee of Community for Fitzroy High School is seeking to meet with Department of Education officials to discuss how the community will be involved in implement the establishment of the school.