The Bridgewater and Southern Midlands Education Renewal Taskforce will meet five times between January and March 2008, the Minister for Education, David Bartlett, said today.

Mr Bartlett said that the taskforce, chaired by Tony Foster, had so far met twice – on 20 November and 5 December.

“The taskforce has scoped out its work to have a carefully considered report to me by the end of March.”

Mr Bartlett said that an independent consultant, Janine Combes, would conduct community forums in the last two weeks of January and throughout February.

“These forums will canvass the community’s views about what they are seeking from education,” he said.

“As well as secondary schooling, the focus will be on lifelong learning to encompass the early years through to Year 12, skills and other adult learning.”

Arrangements are in place for Bridgewater Primary School students and staff to relocate to Green Point Primary.

Mr Bartlett said that modifications to Green Point Primary were underway to accommodate extra students and staff. They include modifications to walls to create extra teaching spaces, new heating and additional car parking. This work will be completed by the start of the 2008 school year.

“Teachers from Bridgewater Primary have already moved their belongings to Green Point Primary ready for next year,” he said.

“Parents from both schools have been kept informed through parent forums, newsletters and open days.

“Parents with any issues are encouraged to raise them with their school.”

Mr Bartlett said that Christine Gee, Co-Principal at Bridgewater High School, was also working with a teacher and her class on a class-based project to get students’ views about the educational needs on the area.

“The class will work with students from other schools in the broader Bridgewater and Southern Midlands area,” he said.

“Following this consultation and other presentations, the taskforce will develop options which will go out to the whole community for consultation and feedback.”