Baxter Children to go to Port Augusta Secondary School
Media Release - DPS 16/2003
Children from the Baxter Immigration Detention Facility (IDF) will attend Port Augusta Secondary School following endorsement of the proposal at the Government Steering Group Committee (GSGC) meeting in Port Augusta today.
The GSGC - which comprises members from the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA), Port Augusta Council, Whyalla City Council and the South Australian State Government - has supported the recent school consultation process undertaken by the South Australian Department of Education and Children's Services (DECS).
The school consultation revealed few concerns from the Port Augusta Secondary School community about the Baxter children attending the school.
Chair of the GSGC and DIMIA's First Assistant Secretary of Unauthorised Arrivals and Detention Division, Steve Davis, said he was pleased with the outcome.
"The Department is pleased that, following DIMIA's request, DECS has agreed to provide the children with access to the school. I am also pleased the GSGC supports the consultation work which has occurred at Port Augusta Secondary School over the past five weeks," Mr Davis said.
South Australian Education Department Chief Executive, Steve Marshall, who has agreed to the Commonwealth Government's request for detainee children to access the secondary school, said he was also pleased the GSGC today endorsed the process.
During the consultation process, survey forms were provided to approximately 500 families with about 15 respondents expressing concerns regarding the children's introduction to the school. These issues are being addressed by DECS on an ongoing basis during the implementation phase of the proposal.
The decision follows a comprehensive consultation process during which the views of parents, staff and students were gathered. The views of the school council were also sought and they supported the proposal.
The Principal of Port Augusta Secondary School has been asked to inform the school community of the decision and begin making arrangements, which will include an induction program, to accommodate the children from Baxter.
Nine children from the Baxter detention facility will initially attend the school.
Consultation with the Willsden Primary School community regarding access for primary aged detainee children from Baxter is continuing.
26 February 2003
Media inquiries:
DIMIA Public Affairs: (02) 6264 2244 (bh) or 0419 442 000 (ah)
DECS: David Travers (08) 8226 1272