Comments for Save Melrose Primary and Chifley pre-school http://savemelrose.wordpress.com Don't let the ACT Government shut down your community's future! Tue, 19 Dec 2006 00:11:04 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 Comment on Petition by The RiotACT » The reality of school closures http://savemelrose.wordpress.com/petition/#comment-25 The RiotACT » The reality of school closures Tue, 19 Dec 2006 00:11:04 +0000 https://savemelrose.wordpress.com/petition/#comment-25 [...] The reality of school closures is how they affect the kids. [...] [...] The reality of school closures is how they affect the kids. [...]

]]> Comment on Petition by Sean Maloney http://savemelrose.wordpress.com/petition/#comment-24 Sean Maloney Thu, 14 Dec 2006 09:56:47 +0000 https://savemelrose.wordpress.com/petition/#comment-24 My name is Sean. I am a student at Melrose Primary. I am very angry that they're closing my school. I won't be able to walk to school anymore because I can't cross the roads and it's very far to get there. We were very sad when Mr McCartney said our school was closed. My friends are going to different schools. It's very hard to pick what school to go to. Please open my school again. My name is Sean. I am a student at Melrose Primary.

I am very angry that they’re closing my school. I won’t be able to walk to school anymore because I can’t cross the roads and it’s very far to get there.

We were very sad when Mr McCartney said our school was closed.

My friends are going to different schools.

It’s very hard to pick what school to go to.

Please open my school again.

]]> Comment on Petition by Kim Richards http://savemelrose.wordpress.com/petition/#comment-23 Kim Richards Thu, 14 Dec 2006 09:49:13 +0000 https://savemelrose.wordpress.com/petition/#comment-23 I am truly lost for words, and find it very difficult to express my feelings following the announcement Melrose Primary will close this year. I heard John Stanhope on ABC radio this morning - crapping on about how they simply followed the legislation with the consultation process and it was therefore not really their fault it was done so poorly. What alot of rubbish. If that was the case how could they not have announced the closures in January 2007 - had their (farcical) six months and then given families, teachers and communties the rest of the year to plan what this meant for them the next year. Andrew Barr was to be commended on attending X amount of meetings and visiting X amount of schools. WHERE WAS HE WHEN THE CHILDREN & PARENTS WERE TOLD THEIR SCHOOL WOULD CLOSE. WHERE WAS HE WHEN OUR CHILDREN CRIED. They now offer me 3 days - at times that you're expected to conform to - to make a decision about where my son will go to school next year. This makes me sick. My son will not be able to walk to school for the next three years. His grandparents will not be able to walk him to school. The government says our children are unhealthy - yet I now have to drive my child to school as otherwise he would need to walk through two suburbs to get to school. I also believed the consultation period would allow the govt. to review their haphazard approach and work with the communities involved to reach a solution that truly reflected the needs of each community. Wasn't I wrong about that. The very least they should have done was given us time to plan for the future they have so very kindly upended for so many. I am truly lost for words, and find it very difficult to express my feelings following the announcement Melrose Primary will close this year.

I heard John Stanhope on ABC radio this morning – crapping on about how they simply followed the legislation with the consultation process and it was therefore not really their fault it was done so poorly. What alot of rubbish. If that was the case how could they not have announced the closures in January 2007 – had their (farcical) six months and then given families, teachers and communties the rest of the year to plan what this meant for them the next year.

Andrew Barr was to be commended on attending X amount of meetings and visiting X amount of schools.

WHERE WAS HE WHEN THE CHILDREN & PARENTS WERE TOLD THEIR SCHOOL WOULD CLOSE. WHERE WAS HE WHEN OUR CHILDREN CRIED.

They now offer me 3 days – at times that you’re expected to conform to – to make a decision about where my son will go to school next year.

This makes me sick.

My son will not be able to walk to school for the next three years. His grandparents will not be able to walk him to school. The government says our children are unhealthy – yet I now have to drive my child to school as otherwise he would need to walk through two suburbs to get to school.

I also believed the consultation period would allow the govt. to review their haphazard approach and work with the communities involved to reach a solution that truly reflected the needs of each community.

Wasn’t I wrong about that.

The very least they should have done was given us time to plan for the future they have so very kindly upended for so many.

]]> Comment on Mr Barr, Please Explain! by Emma Davidson http://savemelrose.wordpress.com/2006/12/14/mr-barr-please-explain/#comment-22 Emma Davidson Thu, 14 Dec 2006 09:04:26 +0000 http://savemelrose.wordpress.com/2006/12/14/mr-barr-please-explain/#comment-22 Looking at the list of schools saved and schools closing, all I can think is "why?". There's no explanation about specific schools or suburbs, just a general "we need to cut costs" and "we want to improve education for everyone" and "we need to address the drift to the private system". Well, we put up a proposal that had financial bonuses for the ACT Government (ie leasing to and then selling land to a childcare centre). We already have a great school that is inclusive of a wide range of cultures and abilities, with award-winning environment programs, community partnerships for physical education programs, and fantastic IT equipment. And we proposed to improve on that with broader art and language programs. We offered the only Woden district public school within walking distance of Chifley and Pearce families, and another P-6 option for Lyons. And now Chifley and Pearce families are faced with public pre-schools that have only a private school within walking distance. The government clearly didn't want to close Melrose to cut costs, improve education outcomes, or reduce the shift to private schools. It's time they told us why we are losing our school. Looking at the list of schools saved and schools closing, all I can think is “why?”. There’s no explanation about specific schools or suburbs, just a general “we need to cut costs” and “we want to improve education for everyone” and “we need to address the drift to the private system”.

Well, we put up a proposal that had financial bonuses for the ACT Government (ie leasing to and then selling land to a childcare centre). We already have a great school that is inclusive of a wide range of cultures and abilities, with award-winning environment programs, community partnerships for physical education programs, and fantastic IT equipment. And we proposed to improve on that with broader art and language programs. We offered the only Woden district public school within walking distance of Chifley and Pearce families, and another P-6 option for Lyons.

And now Chifley and Pearce families are faced with public pre-schools that have only a private school within walking distance.

The government clearly didn’t want to close Melrose to cut costs, improve education outcomes, or reduce the shift to private schools.

It’s time they told us why we are losing our school.

]]> Comment on Petition by Louise Evans, Board Chair MPS, spokesperson CAG http://savemelrose.wordpress.com/petition/#comment-21 Louise Evans, Board Chair MPS, spokesperson CAG Wed, 13 Dec 2006 11:41:28 +0000 https://savemelrose.wordpress.com/petition/#comment-21 Well the announcement has been made. Common sence and logic have been banashed from governance for good. I have not let any of my personal feelings out during the past six months as I wanted our campainge to be based on fact and logic NOT crying children and frustrated parents. The facts as they stand now, FACT: ACTION school bus services will not be available until AFTER the school year starts and then only if there is a minimum of ?27 children available for each run. FACT: I do not beleive that it is appropriate to be sending my 6 year old on a school bus with a 9 year old as her protector. FACT: I will have to drive my 3 children to school for the next 11 years. As they are spaced apart, by the time the number 2 is old enough to be accompanied by number 1, number 1 will be at high school, and this will be the case with number 2 and 3. FACT: The transitional funding to help eliviate any finacial strain we might experience will not be available until AFTER we have started the next school year, AFTER we have outlaid for new uniforms etc, AFTER the Christmas break AFTER the summer holidays. FACT: It is a disgrace that the Melrose Autism Program will be moved next year to lesser accomodation with reduced access to facilities FACT: Melrose had a unique relationship with the YMCA that was NOT recipricated in any other school in Canberra. Through this partnership services and programs offered at Melrose not only to the school population but to the community as a whole are now lost. My faith in honesty and fair play where misplaced. I for one will not be voting at the next election. I will attend but unless someone can offer me a real alternative NOBODY will get my vote. IF THEY DON'Y EARN IT, THEY WON'T GET IT. That is my new mantra. Thank you to all who helped us "To Do the Best We Can" Well the announcement has been made. Common sence and logic have been banashed from governance for good. I have not let any of my personal feelings out during the past six months as I wanted our campainge to be based on fact and logic NOT crying children and frustrated parents.
The facts as they stand now,
FACT: ACTION school bus services will not be available until AFTER the school year starts and then only if there is a minimum of ?27 children available for each run.
FACT: I do not beleive that it is appropriate to be sending my 6 year old on a school bus with a 9 year old as her protector.
FACT: I will have to drive my 3 children to school for the next 11 years. As they are spaced apart, by the time the number 2 is old enough to be accompanied by number 1, number 1 will be at high school, and this will be the case with number 2 and 3.
FACT: The transitional funding to help eliviate any finacial strain we might experience will not be available until AFTER we have started the next school year, AFTER we have outlaid for new uniforms etc, AFTER the Christmas break AFTER the summer holidays.
FACT: It is a disgrace that the Melrose Autism Program will be moved next year to lesser accomodation with reduced access to facilities
FACT: Melrose had a unique relationship with the YMCA that was NOT recipricated in any other school in Canberra. Through this partnership services and programs offered at Melrose not only to the school population but to the community as a whole are now lost.
My faith in honesty and fair play where misplaced. I for one will not be voting at the next election. I will attend but unless someone can offer me a real alternative NOBODY will get my vote. IF THEY DON’Y EARN IT, THEY WON’T GET IT. That is my new mantra.

Thank you to all who helped us “To Do the Best We Can”

]]> Comment on Petition by Wendy Banfield http://savemelrose.wordpress.com/petition/#comment-20 Wendy Banfield Wed, 13 Dec 2006 02:59:34 +0000 https://savemelrose.wordpress.com/petition/#comment-20 Today is the announcement about school closures, what a disappointment. We moved to Canberra in August 2006 from Sydney and our children have attended Melrose PS as it is in walking distance from our home. The quality of the teachers and facilities are first rate, better than anything in Sydney and I was attracted by the small size. Both children are very happy there, made friends instantly and will now have to change schools again if it closes. This shouldn't be an economic decision, it should be a government service provided as a community right. I currently take public transport to work but now I will have to drive to another school then either drive to the city to work or take the car home and get the bus. I grew up walking to the local primary school, why can't my children? Today is the announcement about school closures, what a disappointment. We moved to Canberra in August 2006 from Sydney and our children have attended Melrose PS as it is in walking distance from our home. The quality of the teachers and facilities are first rate, better than anything in Sydney and I was attracted by the small size. Both children are very happy there, made friends instantly and will now have to change schools again if it closes. This shouldn’t be an economic decision, it should be a government service provided as a community right. I currently take public transport to work but now I will have to drive to another school then either drive to the city to work or take the car home and get the bus. I grew up walking to the local primary school, why can’t my children?

]]> Comment on Petition by Alison Tonkin http://savemelrose.wordpress.com/petition/#comment-16 Alison Tonkin Wed, 22 Nov 2006 12:09:52 +0000 https://savemelrose.wordpress.com/petition/#comment-16 I would like to congratulate the CAG on their excellent efforts in keeping the Melrose community informed and the high quality submission to the Govt. to keep our school open regardless of the final outcome on Wednesday December 13. I am a previous student of Chifley Pre-school and Primary School. I brought my two boys back to Chifley to attend the same schools as I know the area, the people and mainly because all facilities are within walking distance for my sons to access. It simply is not common sense to have schools closed in two neighbouring suburbs forcing us into cars or public transport to get our kids to school. Personally, this is not going to work for me as I will have to battle traffic etc to get my younger son to school (my older son rides his bike to MHS) drive back home to park the car and then walk to work. This is only one out of many foreseeable problems should the Govt not see sense and keep our school open. I still have not placed my younger son at another school as I simply refuse to believe that Melrose PS will close. I would like to congratulate the CAG on their excellent efforts in keeping the Melrose community informed and the high quality submission to the Govt. to keep our school open regardless of the final outcome on Wednesday December 13.

I am a previous student of Chifley Pre-school and Primary School. I brought my two boys back to Chifley to attend the same schools as I know the area, the people and mainly because all facilities are within walking distance for my sons to access.

It simply is not common sense to have schools closed in two neighbouring suburbs forcing us into cars or public transport to get our kids to school. Personally, this is not going to work for me as I will have to battle traffic etc to get my younger son to school (my older son rides his bike to MHS) drive back home to park the car and then walk to work. This is only one out of many foreseeable problems should the Govt not see sense and keep our school open.

I still have not placed my younger son at another school as I simply refuse to believe that Melrose PS will close.

]]> Comment on Submission from Chifley Action Group by Denis ODea http://savemelrose.wordpress.com/2006/11/06/submission-from-chifley-action-group/#comment-15 Denis ODea Sun, 12 Nov 2006 09:20:38 +0000 http://savemelrose.wordpress.com/2006/11/06/submission-from-chifley-action-group/#comment-15 Great site. Great site.

]]> Comment on Petition by Tonyia Watson http://savemelrose.wordpress.com/petition/#comment-14 Tonyia Watson Mon, 09 Oct 2006 10:07:47 +0000 https://savemelrose.wordpress.com/petition/#comment-14 I would like to support keeping Melrose Primary School open. When we moved to Canberra for the first time my children went to Melrose PS and that community was my intro to Canberra. It was very positive. My children thrived and went onto greater things. If the building is to be maintained for community use such as the YMCA then the school may as well go on using the building as well. I support futher development of communty use of the bulidings with yhe Y but keeping the school open as well. I would like to support keeping Melrose Primary School open. When we moved to Canberra for the first time my children went to Melrose PS and that community was my intro to Canberra. It was very positive. My children thrived and went onto greater things. If the building is to be maintained for community use such as the YMCA then the school may as well go on using the building as well. I support futher development of communty use of the bulidings with yhe Y but keeping the school open as well.

]]> Comment on Petition by Rachel Williams http://savemelrose.wordpress.com/petition/#comment-13 Rachel Williams Wed, 20 Sep 2006 04:20:13 +0000 https://savemelrose.wordpress.com/petition/#comment-13 i have a little girl that is 9 months old what schools will be open in here area when it's time for her to go to schoolwill i have to travel 20 to 30 mins to take her to school or is it paying for for her to go to a priv school i want to know what's going to happen to all the school's and there is going to be more staff out of job's and more staff on the dole that the gov pay's of any way. i have a little girl that is 9 months old what schools will be open in here area when it’s time for her to go to schoolwill i have to travel 20 to 30 mins to take her to school or is it paying for for her to go to a priv school i want to know what’s going to happen to all the school’s and there is going to be more staff out of job’s and more staff on the dole that the gov pay’s of any way.

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