A Broken Hill public high school with more than 600 students will be closed for an extended period after the detection of a significant mould outbreak earlier this month.
Key points:
- The mould was detected on January 9, with multiple buildings and infrastructure affected
- Parents learnt on Tuesday where students would be sent to commence Term 1
- No timeline has been divulged on how long clean-up works will take
The news has left parents and staff of Willyama High School scrambling as the Department of Education prepares to shift affected cohorts across the city when the local school year starts next week.
The mould, believed to have developed in multiple sections of the school due to severe heat and humidity over the summer holidays, was first identified on January 9.
Initial investigations and sampling conducted by an independent occupational hygienist indicated the school would be cleaned in time for the beginning of Term 1 on February 8.
However, the director of educational leadership for the Far West with the Department of Education, Peter Macbeth, told the media last week further testing showed this would not be possible.
"No-one's allowed on the site at the moment [because] safety of people and their health is an absolute priority," he told the ABC Broken Hill morning program.
Different year levels to different schools
According to the Department of Education, this will be the first time a high school has been closed due to mould in the city's history.
While returning Willyama's students to face-to-face learning in time for the start of the new term has remained a priority for the department, their return to school will be far from normal.
In an update circulated to affected students, staff, parents and carers on Tuesday, principal Grant Shepherd said the situation was "truly disappointing news for our local community".
"As families would expect, the health, safety, and wellbeing of the school and the local community is our highest priority, and we will be guided by the expert advice," Mr Shepherd said.
"While their work continues, I am proud that public schools across Broken Hill have sprung into action to help develop a plan for Willyama's return to face-to-face learning in time for day 1, Term 1 2024."
According to this plan, years 7 and 8 will be relocated to Broken Hill North Public School, years 9 and 10 will go to Morgan Street Public School's primary campus and years 11 and 12 and special education will start the year at Broken Hill High School.
Each of these schools will make special accommodations to ensure minimal impact to their own students, including utilising previously unused classrooms.
It's understood most classes from Morgan Street Public School will be relocated to its Infants' site to give the Willyama students and staff their own dedicated space.
Emails with similar words and advice have also been circulated by principals from these other schools.
Future steps unclear
It is currently unknown how long this plan will be in place and if any other arrangements will be made for future terms, although it is anticipated clean-up works at the school will take some time.
Mr Macbeth said in a statement further updates would be issued once further plans had been finalised and the full scope of the work required was confirmed.
"We are privileged in Broken Hill to have a strong public education community and staff in each of the schools have not hesitated to offer support to the school community from Willyama High School," he said.
"An independent occupational hygienist is continuing to evaluate the condition of Willyama HS and will provide the department with a detailed assessment detailing remediation requirements when their investigations are complete."
The ABC contacted Mr Macbeth for further clarification but he was unavailable for comment.
Education Minister Prue Car told the ABC in a statement that the Department of Education had worked quickly to ensure face-to-face learning continued for Willyama students from the beginning of Term 1.
"This situation is deeply upsetting ahead of the return to school, and I appreciate this has been disruptive for the community," she said.
"The NSW government is committed to the safety and wellbeing of our students, with Willyama High School students to be accommodated at neighbouring schools."