Jobs to go when senior school closes college

Lack of demand has led Ocean Forest Lutheran College to announce it will end its senior secondary program from the end of this year.

With just 24 students across Year 11 and 12 this year, the school board decided earlier this month that from 2014 it would no longer offer the final two years of schooling.

Ocean Forest Lutheran College principal John Mason said the decision to revert to a K-10 school was a difficult but necessary one for the school board.

“When the school opened in 2004 the original plan was for an independent college that could cater to children from the beginning all the way through to the end of their educational journey,” he said.

“That dream has now changed but the pathway is still open to reengage at Year 11 and 12 level should the community let us know that is what it wants.”

Mr Mason said that redundancies were inevitable as a result of the decision, but that he did not know how many staff would lose their jobs.

“Some of the families at the school came here with the understanding Ocean Forest was a one stop shop for their children all the way through to Year 12,” he said.

“We’re not sure if all of our parents will accept this new scenario, so won’t know what effect this decision will have on our staff until we have an idea of the impact on enrolments across the school.

“Our staff have taken the news with professional stoicism and going forward they will be treated with the respect and dignity that they deserve.”