Community support leads to a state Labor promise for a Bungendore high school

The Bungendore High School Action Group were delighted to hear the announcement from Labor last week that they will build a High School in Bungendore, if elected in 2019. The announcement, made by Shadow Education Minister Jihad Dib, along with Candidate for Monaro Bryce Wilson and Federal Member Mike Kelly, was warmly met by community members present and the benefits of a High School for the community were once again highlighted.

The trio acknowledged the work of the whole community in presenting a “compelling argument” for a High School, considering factors such as population growth, student enrolments and travelling times for current students. Mr Dib particularly called attention to the Education Forum in September saying it was not only the data, but the community support and the forum turnout that really made it clear how much a High School was needed in Bungendore.

This announcement has come about because of the involvement and passion of our community as a whole. It is vital now that we keep this going. As the population of Bungendore and its surrounds continues to grow and our young people look for quality education close to home it is important that we provide them with the choice to stay local and be actively involved in their own community. With up to a thousand students enrolled in Public Schools in Bungendore and surrounding towns there is the population and the demand to support a High School in Bungendore.

Spokesperson for the Bungendore High School Action Group, Fiona Doyle said that ‘With an eye to opening the school in January 2022, it is important that as a community we continue to make our voices heard and keep the need for a High School in Bungendore a priority for our local representatives. 2022 is fast approaching and there is much work to do to ensure that announcements like these are followed with both concrete action and continued community consultation.’

If you would like further information or want to become more involved, see our website www.bungendorehighschoolactiongroup.org, follow our facebook page or email bungendorehighschoolag@gmail.com.

We look forward to continuing to work with the whole community and all our local representatives to ensure that we achieve a High School for the Bungendore community. A high school in Bungendore would not only support our families and children’s future within our community, but it would also bring economic benefits and add to our community infrastructure.

Photo (L-R): Jihad Dib, Bryce Wilson