A HISTORIC first combined P&C Meeting was held on the Tomaree Peninsula this week where Port Stephens Member Kate Washington was asked to answer question of community concerns.

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Issues discussed included the power supply to the Tomaree Education Precinct which does not have the capacity to run air conditioning in classrooms and offices.

Internet access is also an issue on the precinct with the current service simply inadequate to meet the needs of students in their studies.

Kate Washington, MP for Port Stephens, told News Of The Area, “Our children deserve the best possible education, and that means providing the best possible learning environment.”

“It’s not acceptable that students and staff in some of our schools don’t even have the electrical capacity to be able to run air conditioners.”

“Schools in our community have been allowed to wither away into a state of dilapidation, and demountable classrooms have become permanent fixtures instead of the temporary measures they were designed to be.”

“Our children and their futures, should be a priority for any government; instead, we have a government that loves to gloat about its budget surplus whilst students are sweltering in classrooms that are falling into disrepair,” she said.

Also discussed were issues such as the current out of zone enrolment policy, leadership opportunities for girls, scripture and ethics classes.

Career path training and TAFE courses for students ready to leave school are also of concern, with students forced to remain in school until they turn 17.

By Marian SAMPSON