College plans may include early education

While the initial focus of the school will be on secondary schooling, Year 7 and 8 in the first year specifically, plans for its future growth are being developed now.

These plans, and progress on establishing Riverina Christian College, will be discussed at an information night in Deniliquin next week.

Melos Group’s application to open the school in west Deniliquin, on the site of the former Deniliquin Christian School, was submitted last month.

It is now being considered by the NSW Education Standards Authority.

If NESA’s recommendation is favourable, it goes to the NSW Minister for Education for final approval.

Melos Group executive principal Phillip Nash said if all goes well, NESA’s decision may be known by the end of May.

He said government approval usually takes longer, and is usually confirmed by August or September.

Meanwhile, Mr Nash said planning for the school to open will continue.

“We can’t take school registrations or hire staff until the minister signs off, but we can take expressions of interest, and we need to work forward so we can get started as soon as we have that.

“We have already initiated master plans, which will look at all future options.

“For example, it may look at projections for a Year 7 to 12 school with 250 students, and plan out what we may need.

“The plan will also look at reconfiguring the school to the other side of the grounds, away from the nearby homes.

“We have also asked the consultants to look at an early learning centre on site, as a possibility for the future because we know there is a need for that in the community.

“Initially we will start with what we have on site, and will look to improve from there based on interest.

“We have done a survey of the IT environment in the current buildings and will replace old servers, but otherwise there is good IT infrastructure on site.”

Mr Nash said for the purpose of the application, Melos Group has estimated it may start with 25 students across Year 7 and 8 in its first year of operation.

But he said there has been enough interest from the community to suggest it could be higher.

And he said they’ve also been contacted by teachers seeking positions, even before official EOIs for staff open in coming weeks.

Mr Nash said while the focus is on filling an identified gap in local secondary education options, there is enough interest from parents of younger children to keep options for primary teaching on the table.

All options and future plans will be shared with interested community members at the information evening on Tuesday, April 29.

It will be held at the Deniliquin Baptist Church in Edwardes St from 7pm to 8.30pm.

Mr Nash, who will lead the evening, said it’s also an opportunity for families to learn more about Melos Group and its approach to education.

Expressions of interest will also be taken on the night.

Meanwhile, anyone seeking more information is encouraged to go to rcc.melos.education.