By BRIDGET SCOTT
PARENTS at Cranbourne South Primary School are up in arms after the school failed to promptly inform them about a potential relocation next year.
Last month the Shadow Minister for Education James Merlino attended the primary school to announce that it would relocate and be renamed under a Labor Government.
The school would shift to Smiths Lane in Cranbourne South and be called Cranbourne South-West Primary School.
Principal Joseph Kelly took Mr Merlino on a tour around the school and welcomed the announcement on Tuesday 21 October.
However several parents said they were disappointed that the school had failed to inform them about the possible move before the announcement.
Natasha Marsh said there was “no communication” with parents about the decision.
She said a letter was distributed following an article in the Cranbourne News on 23 October informing parents that a move is on the cards.
“It said that if Labor gets in it’s a done deal,” Ms Marsh said.
When Mr Merlino made the announcement he said the school was “inappropriately located” next to a bottle shop and a petrol station.
But concerned parents have hit back at the claim and said the Cranbourne South General Store had provided school lunches and parking space for those visiting the school.
“We are not concerned whatsoever about it being located next to the general store,” Ms Marsh said.
“They’re very good to the school.”
Fellow parents and Cranbourne South residents Laura and Craig Fairhall said they only have one car and walk their children to school at the moment.
Mr Fairhall said he would no longer be able to walk his children to school if the move went ahead as it would be too far.
They said they were equally concerned about the level of communication from the school and the relocation.
Mr Fairhall said that his daughter came home and told him about the move because teachers had been talking to the pupils.
Ms Marsh said they feel “ripped off” and that she would hate to see the grounds shut altogether.
“The school needs some tender loving care, but only a few thousand dollars’ worth,” she said.
Tarryn Campbell, who is also a concerned parent, said she felt as though the principal had gone behind parents’ backs and that the school may not be acting in the best interests of students and families.
When the News contacted principal Joseph Kelly for a comment he referred to his statement in a notice sent out to parents and declined to comment any further.
