STUDENTS and parents of Acacia College – set to close at the end of the year – have taken to social media to vent their anger over the decision.
Uniting Church moderator Isabel Thomas Dobson held a meeting with parents of Acacia College yesterday to tell them the school was not financially viable and would never become self sufficient. It is due to close on December 14.
As news of the decision broke online, students, parents and local residents immediately started venting, with many expressing their shock and to spread the news.
SEE: Acacia College closure hits 520 students.
School parent David Warwick tweeted it was sad news for families and that he would be soon forced to send his daughter elsewhere.
Fellow tweeter Rich Lambert posted: “This is a huge shock — such a rapidly growing school”.
The college’s official Twitter account remained silent, with its last post dated August 22.
ALP Yan Yean MLA Danielle Green said she would push for the state government to open access to local state schools for displaced students immediately.
The Uniting Church, which just recently became entangled in drama when another of its schools, elite Methodist Ladies’ College in Kew, sacked long-time principal Rosa Storelli last month over years of over-payments, has found itself in hot water over the closure. Online commentators have suggested the church should use money earned from schools such as MLC and Wesley College to prop up their struggling counterpart.
“Here is a good chance for the Uniting Church to show if they have a heart by spreading some of the wealth from their money-spinners, to the less-fortunate, but as-deserving multitudes in less-wealthy suburbs,” one theage.com.au commentator wrote.
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“Kristen” wrote that the church had become an educator of the elite. “They have let down the people and community of the outer northern suburbs and should hold their head in shame for this.”
Ms Thomas Dobson said the school was in discussions with several other education providers about continuing to operate the school under new owners.
News Limited reported the school informed Whittlesea Council of its decision yesterday and is expected to meet with state government representatives today. The school had reportedly racked up debts of more than $10 million.
Upset parents and students returned to school today, some demanding action from the Baillieu government to save the school.
