Natalie Walker Councillor and Helen Carpenter Delegate for P&C Federation Far West Electorate said it was pleasing to see Weddin Shire schools so well represented at this information session.

“We are delighted that so many members of the local school community were able to attend the information session, it is great to see Weddin so well represented,” said Ms Carpenter.

Creating opportunities for P&C’s, Principals and the Department of NSW to connect and work together is what Far West Councillor for NSW P&C Federation Natalie Walker, along with delegates Helen Carpenter and Diane Darcy were recently able to achieve.

The Far West Electorate from the CEO for School Infrastructure NSW Mr Anthony Manning.

Accompanying Anthony was A/Executive Director of Asset Management Mr Terry Stevens, Ms Lesa Dunn Director North Western NSW Asset Management Unit based in Orange and Mr Lance Bright from North Western NSW Asset Management Unit based in Tamworth.

The Far West electorate covers a third of the state and includes 120 Public schools, which accounts for 22985 students. 

Attending the information session on the day were 14 schools, with an additional two schools joining in via video conferencing from across the electorate. 

The Information session was an opportunity for school P&C’s & Principals and to come together and look at and discuss ways they can work together with Schools Infrastructure NSW to build successful schools in NSW.

Natalie Walker, P&C Federation Councillor for the Far West electorate says she hopes that these types of information sessions will create further opportunities in the Far West.

“We were hoping that information sessions such as these will create opportunities for P&C’s and Principals to work together to support improved outcomes for our children in public education. Being the first one in the Far West, it was really encouraging to receive the positive feedback from participants involved in the day and the support from Principal, Mrs Bristina from Forbes High School in hosting the event with us,” said Ms Walker

Schools Infrastructure NSW is a relatively new arm of the Department of Education. The Information session enabled participants to discuss and learn about the future directions of the Department of Education Schools Infrastructure NSW section. 

“Anthony has been fantastic to engage with for us as parents and the direction being taken by him and his team within the Department in such a short period of time is really encouraging for us as parents to see.” said Ms Walker. 

Mr Manning also talked about ways P&C’s and schools can work together as a partnership to achieve positive outcomes for students relating to Infrastructure and how best to work with the AMU – creating improved partnerships and understanding the processes.

Helen Carpenter, P&C Federation delegate for Far West was thrilled to see the NSW Department of Education taking the time to meet with parents, principals and other school representatives in the Far West. 

“It’s great to see the NSW Department of Education take such an interest in coming out to our schools and meeting with parents, community members and Principals to share information and create stronger connections. With the challenges of distance, it is opportunities like these that we truly value in the Far West Electorate,” said Ms Carpenter

Weddin was represented at the Schools Infrastructure Information session by Councillor Phil Diprose, Caragabal Public School Principal Jodie Toole, The Henry Lawson High School Principal Ian Pattingale, Caragabal PS teacher Hollie Forde, Delegate P&C Federation and THLHS Helen Carpenter,  Councillor Jan Parlett and Grenfell Public School Principal Michelle Morley.