Tharwa, Flynn and Cook parents and citizen associations (P&Cs) today called on the Labor, Liberal and Green Members of the Legislative Assembly to support a motion to re-open Primary Schools in Tharwa, Hall, Flynn and Cook. Hall P&C also welcome moves to re-open schools.

We welcome the Education Standing Committee’s report recommendations that Hall and Tharwa primary schools should re-open but note that the reasons for re-opening apply at least equally well to Flynn and Cook primary schools.

Our communities report that the case for re-opening these schools continues to mount following serious breaches of due process during the school closures revealed in the Inquiry report handed down recently by the Education Standing Committee.

Our community support and the needs of young families have continued to multiply as the ACT and region’s baby boom and suburban renewal continues. Our communities each recognise the pressing need for a local school and community focal point.

Together we have garnered thousands of signatures on petitions, received thousands of letters and comments of support, surveyed entire suburbs, and raised tens of thousands of dollars. We have spent tens of thousands of hours of volunteer community effort over the past three years to try to improve the future for our children, their families and communities.

Since the Inquiry report was released, the ACT Minister for Education has put on record that he will not re-open any schools. In light of this, we can see no need to wait for another three months for a formal response.

We ask that all Members of the Assembly would support the motion to re-open Tharwa, Hall, Cook and Flynn schools at the earliest opportunity.