A two-year campaign by Federation members has led to the NSW Government announcing Maitland Grossman High School will be relocated.
The new school, on a larger site, will open in 2030 with room for up to 1500 students. This coincides with the announcement of a new primary school to be built in nearby Chisholm.
Federation Country Organiser Jask Galvin Waight said the local infrastructure campaign involved numerous MP delegations, meetings with the Department and school Federation motions.
When asbestos was discovered in the 140-year-old school, Federation members remained vigilant to the NSW government delivering safe and modern facilities.
Because of action undertaken by members, significant interim refurbishment works were undertaken. However, when Federation members at the school hadn’t received an update on the future of the school’s facilities, they passed a motion, which was sent to the Premier and Education Minister, with copies to the Department of Education Secretary and Maitland MP Jenny Aitchinson. The motion called for a new, built-for-purpose school to meet the needs of students, families, community and staff.
Federation Country Organiser Jack Galvin Waight said: “Despite the delays, uncertainty and at times difficult working conditions, members stood firm in their commitment to deliver for their students and school community. Particular credit must go to the school’s Federation Workplace Committee who led the campaign and worked tirelessly to deliver for the region.”
Federation Representative John Grimes, who is also Maitland Teachers Association President, said: “There has never been a better time to be a public-school student and teacher.”
Maitland Teachers Association buoyed by the recent infrastructure announcements continues to campaign for an additional School for Specific Purposes (SSP) in the Hunter. Currently there is no SSP from Maitland to Tamworth.