The NSW Government will ensure students and staff can plan for their future and return to the four upgraded Murwillumbah Schools for the start of the 2025 school year. 

This confirmed timeframe for the return to the four schools - Murwillumbah High, Wollumbin High, Murwillumbah East and Murwillumbah Public schools - will allow for a smooth transition and ensure necessary works to school facilities are completed.  

The 2023-24 Budget committed funding to upgrade all four schools. The flood levee at Murwillumbah East Public School and the full restoration of Murwillumbah High School will progress first, with the community kept updated along the way. Funding has been allocated to get work started as soon as possible, and the task of hiring contractors to do the work begins immediately.

 The upgrades at the four school sites will include air conditioning for every classroom and library, renovating toilet blocks, lighting upgrades, new furniture and equipment as well as painting and new flooring.

Today’s announcement addresses a key community priority that emerged during the department’s community consultations which saw more than 260 students, staff, parents and carers participate.

The request from the school community was for clear communication of the date, timeline and milestones for the return to two high schools. 

As part of the return to two separate high schools, all students will be able to maintain their current subjects and the department will maximise subject selection moving forward, including by facilitating opportunities to collaborate between Wollumbin and Murwillumbah High Schools. 

To support the community during the transition staffing levels at all four schools will remain at their current levels until 2027.

A consultation summary can be found here.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education Prue Car said: 

 “Work on the plan to return to four public schools in Murwillumbah is now well underway, and that has been informed by thorough consultation with students, staff, families and stakeholders.

“Staff and students made it clear they needed certainty moving forward, which is why staff numbers at all four schools will be guaranteed until 2027. This will help to provide certainty for students to continue their current subjects.

“As the return to four schools in Murwillumbah progresses, all the sites will be upgraded to ensure all students and staff can benefit.” 

Department of Education Secretary Murat Dizdar said: 

 “I am grateful to the students, teachers, parents, and stakeholder groups, across all four public schools in Murwillumbah who provided feedback during the consultation process.

 “The past few years have been particularly challenging for the Murwillumbah school communities, with bushfires, floods and the pandemic all adding to the complexity faced by students and staff as they negotiated the mergers.

 “As we return to four public schools in Murwillumbah, the department’s priorities will be supporting our staff and students and ensuring the school communities, particularly those connected to the high schools, are kept informed along the way.