Perhaps it presents a valuable opportunity to embark on some longer-term planning and construction – an opportunity to address the disgraceful neglect that has resulted in “temporary” -so-called “demountable” – classrooms still in place for close to 25 years!

Last year I came across several copies of The Pinnacle (IHS’s school year magazine) from the early 1990s. Apart from the hairstyles and popularity of moustaches amongst the (male) staff, most noticeable were the demountable classrooms shown in an aerial photograph of the school. Since then, I’ve pondered why these daggy, energy inefficient, so-called interim classrooms are still in place a quarter of a century later?

Perhaps the parent body, former principals, regional directors, senior departmental staff and former education ministers have pushed tirelessly for (or strongly resisted ) permanent buildings for Inverell High. Whatever the history, nothing has eventuated, not even with the billions spent under Labor’s “Building the Education Revolution”.

For the past decade and perhaps longer, Inverell has been steadily growing, and with it the school-age population. (I believe we have the largest primary school by enrolment - Ross Hill Public - in the entire education district). So it puzzles me why Inverell High, with its impressive period architecture, academic and sporting achievements, still has these ancient, unsuitable and extremely energy inefficient “dongas” on site. 

Even the valued Special Education Unit, relocated from the bricks and mortar of Sinclair Place, sits in yet more “temporary” dongas.

Time now to push strongly for a broad, needs-based infrastructure upgrade.  Let’s get some decent facilities worthy of Inverell High’s students and staff – a necessary and worthwhile investment in the future of Inverell and district.

Garry Newley

Inverell