The Minister for Education, David Bartlett, today announced the establishment of a community taskforce to explore options on future education facilities following the devastating Bridgewater High School fire.

“Since the fire destroyed Bridgewater High almost two weeks ago, my number one priority has been to get the Bridgewater students back into learning as soon as possible, and I’m pleased that this is occurring as smoothly as possible,” Mr Bartlett said.

“However, the use of Geilston Bay High and Claremont College is only a temporary arrangement and we need to think about the long-term needs of the Bridgewater and broader Southern Midlands community.

“That’s why I’m establishing a community taskforce to investigate options for improving educational outcomes for Bridgewater students.

“I value the views of the Bridgewater and wider Brighton community and want to ensure their voices are heard.”

Mr Bartlett said the Bridgewater and Southern Midlands Education Renewal Taskforce would be chaired by Brighton Mayor Tony Foster, and would include representatives from the Department of Education, the Community Knowledge Network and Skills Tasmania, the School Association, as well as members of the local government and business communities.

The taskforce will provide advice to the Minister on issues relating to:

· The demand outlook for Government school services (Years 0-12) in the Bridgewater and Southern Midlands precinct.

· The adequacy and appropriateness of existing education facilities to meet the assessed short, medium and long term demand for 0-12 education in the Bridgewater and Southern Midlands region

· The construction of new secondary schooling facilities to provide appropriate learning environments for adolescents

· Options for the provision of a post-compulsory education and training facility or facilities in the Bridgewater and Southern Midlands region that will fully align students with Tasmania Tomorrow reforms

Brighton Mayor Tony Foster said that he was honoured to be asked to chair this very important taskforce that would have input into the future educational requirements of our region.

Mr Bartlett also announced that Professor Brian Caldwell, educator and author on the future of schooling from the University of Melbourne and former Dean of Education at the University of Tasmania had agreed to collaborate with the taskforce.

“This is a great opportunity to provide educational facilities that will serve our region for the next 40 years,” Cr Foster said.

Mr Bartlett paid tribute to everyone who had worked tirelessly to ensure Bridgewater High students were able to go back to school just a week after the fire.

“There has been an enormous amount of continued support from schools within the area and from the local community, which is testament to the fantastic community spirit in the Bridgewater/Brighton area,” Mr Bartlett said.

“I’m genuinely excited about what great options might be explored by the community taskforce and I look forward to receiving their recommendations by the end of March 2008.”

The members of the taskforce are:

- Brighton Mayor Tony Foster (Chair)

- Jenny Gale, General Manager, Strategic Policy and Support

- Susan Parr South East School Improvement Board representative

- Local school principal representative

- Yolande Lincoln, School Association President, Bridgewater High School

- Robert Rockefeller, businessman

- John Klug, Brighton Council Community Liaison Officer

- Ronda Cockshutt, community representative