As you are hopefully aware, the plans for our new Senior Campus are in the process of being finalised. On the whole they are very exciting: in January 2019 our first cohort of senior students will be learning in the redeveloped TAFE site on West Street with a modern feel and generous learning facilities. Some high level information about the new campus is available through the school website: http://www.cammeraygal-h.schools.nsw.edu.au/about-us/new-senior-campus
We are, however, concerned that the opportunity to make the most of the new site is about to be missed. An important part of the plans is a new hall, which will provide space for sport, gatherings and performances – but means we are losing 1000m2 of outdoor space. The current Department of Education proposal is for a single-level hall with a sloped roof. This leaves the site very short of outdoor recreational space – less than 4m2 per student. If our children were chickens, their access to outdoor areas would fail the RSPCA maximum stocking density recommendations.
The Cammeraygal P&C have put an alternative proposal to the Department of Education. This brings the hall to ground level, with some additional excavation required, and adds a roof-top sports facility. This will ensure ground-level disabled access into the hall and unlock additional recreational space. The planning team are not supportive of this proposal, citing cost constraints and timeline pressures. We believe additional funding or co-funding should be found, and that the alternative hall structure should not add to the construction timeline.
The P&C has written to the Premier, Minister for Education and local member, and entered into discussions with the local council to explore co-funding options. (Please see letter to the Premier attached for your info.) To encourage the Department of Education to consider this proposal seriously we would appreciate the help of everyone in the Cammeraygal Community who is concerned about our senior campus offering adequate learning and recreational facilities. Numbers count, so it would be very useful if you could write to all or any of the following people:
To help make this easy for you we have prepared letter templates to use if you would like guidance on what to write. In the attached files you will find 2 letter template options for each of the above listed people. Option 1 is a comprehensive letter laying out the concerns and proposal. Option 2 is a short note indicating your full support for the Cammeraygal P&C’s proposal. You are free to choose whichever option you prefer, and of course to tailor as you wish. If you have already written to any of the above people, thank you for your support.
Time is short, as amended plans would need to be developed and submitted very soon to avoid jeopardising the start of the 2019 school year. Please act now and let’s work together to secure the best Senior Campus we can for our children and future generations of Cammeraygal students.