General News
30 March, 2024
Three become one / Lutheran school amalgamation ahead
Three Wimmera schools will merge next year to form Wimmera Lutheran College, coming under one leadership structure to provide a more consistent education from the beginning of next year.
Three Wimmera schools will merge next year to form Wimmera Lutheran College, coming under one leadership structure to provide a more consistent education from the beginning of next year.
This year, Horsham's Holy Trinity Lutheran College boasts 586 students and approximately 100 staff, while Dimboola's St Peter’s Lutheran School has 20 students catered to by six staff, and Nhill Lutheran School has 53 students to approximately 10 staff.
Each school will retain a school leader, with an overarching executive principal - who is yet to be appointed - and an amalgamation team is working with current stakeholders to create a joint board which will govern the three schools.
St Peter's principal Millie Dent is firmly in support of the plan, and said the new model would allow a wider range of leadership and career development opportunities that are not possible in a stand-alone school.
“We’re looking forward to sharing more resources with the other schools, whilst still maintaining our small school spirit which we and our community are proud of,” Ms Dent said.
Holy Trinity principal Jason Przibilla said the schools had a long history of working closely together and the amalgamation would strengthen existing bonds to enhance learning outcomes for students.
Mr Przibilla said under the new school structure the three schools would be better equipped to efficiently share resources, streamline administration and compliance requirements and deliver greater access to resources and opportunities for students.
“The amalgamation is about utilising and leveraging the strengths on offer from all three schools to create a stronger educational platform," he said.
“We already share resources across areas such as business management, finances, maintenance and some specialist staff but there are other areas where we can improve efficiencies and ensure that our main focus is educational outcomes for our students."
Nhill Lutheran principal Damon Prenzler said the schools were excited about the resource efficiencies the merger would provide, not just for students.
"The leadership and professional development opportunities it creates for our staff - we can continue to attract and retain the best teachers," he said.
“Our schools share the same Lutheran values and commitment to educational excellence so it feels like the right fit for us to continue to work together."
Staff, parents and the wider school community had been informed of the amalgamation and regular updates will follow as details were finalised.
Ms Dent said feedback is welcomed.
"We're excited about the new opportunities this amalgamation will provide our current and future students and look forward to continuing Lutheran educational success within the Wimmera," she said.