The ACT Government has missed another opportunity to regain community trust by refusing to re-open Flynn Primary School, despite new information and community support, according to the Flynn Primary School Parents and Citizens Association.
“The need and support for a school at Flynn is well established and this decision does not deliver that. This need is a prime reason that the community is continuing to press for the restoration of the community asset,” said President of the Flynn Primary School P&C, Roger Nicoll.
“Like most other communities, Flynn has still not been given a credible reason or motive for its successful and growing school being closed: the only community asset in our suburb.” Mr Nicoll said.
“While these issues remain unresolved it will be hard for the wider community to place trust in the government or indeed the whole Assembly process. These are important issues for the future.”
That said, while this does not deliver a school, the Flynn community is pleased to see the government has accepted the School Closure Inquiry recommendation for a Joint Steering Committee to work with the Flynn community to work up a solution for Flynn. This provides a real opportunity to build trust and work together to develop a Flynn hub that meets the needs of the community. Ideally it would include a school.
“The Flynn Community is also pleased to hear that a decision on the heritage status of the Taglietti school is not far away. In this, we recognise the ongoing support from Jon Stanhope in his role as Chief Minister and Minister for Heritage – and his government’s recognition of the heritage value with or without formal listing – and advice from the Australian Institute of Architects that the school meets the threshold criteria for listing.”
Flynn Primary School is significant because of its design by award-winning architect Enrico Taglietti, its links to the Reverend John Flynn and the Royal Flying Doctor Service, and its importance as the first open plan school in the ACT. The ACT Heritage Unit has advised that a draft citation for heritage listing has been prepared for the school, preschool and grounds.
“The heritage value of Flynn school was not adequately considered in 2006,” Mr Nicoll said. “Since the school closed, a priority of the Flynn community has been to protect the cultural, architectural and community value of the site.”
