Statement from the Centralian Middle School Sub-Branch of the Australian Education Union NT
The Centralian Middle School (CMS) Sub-Branch of the Australian Education Union supports, in principle, the transition to becoming a comprehensive 7-12 high school and for that transition to take place at the Centralian Middle School campus. We are, however, deeply concerned that the current facility is not adequately resourced for the increase in student cohort that has been proposed to begin as early as 2026.
We want to see a commitment to significant infrastructure upgrades on the Centralian Middle School campus. This will ensure that we can provide the young people we work with the opportunities and resources they require and deserve as the future leaders of our community. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest in the next generation of young people and to set them up with a fit-for-purpose school that caters to their and their families’ aspirations.
The new high school should be a school that they can be proud of and excited to attend. If our government truly believes in creating equity and excellence in schooling opportunities for all students in the Northern Territory, now is the time for significant investment in facilities and resources that will help to shape the next generation of Territorians.
Contextual Information
Centralian Middle School’s single indoor basketball court is the only space in which students can continue their Physical Education program when needing to escape the many 40+ degree days in Alice Springs. This basketball court is currently booked up by classes for all but 1 hour of the week.
This is the same basketball court in which school assemblies are held and in which hundreds of students and family members celebrate the achievements of our students at the end of each year. In 2024, temperatures inside were easily reaching above 40 degrees. This is the only presentation venue currently available to us, and it is not built for that purpose.
Our science labs and food technology spaces are not yet equipped to safely cater to a larger student cohort and the needs of senior secondary science will require significant improvements to the number and quality of these spaces.
A built-for-purpose space for Year 11 and 12 students will be essential, so that they can focus on their studies and achieve to their highest potential. Given the current floorplan, we can’t see where this space could be.
We know that spaces impact education. Providing staff and students with suitable and flexible learning spaces is essential. It will ensure we are able to properly deliver a high quality and equitable education that caters to the many diverse needs of the young people in our community.
Official information about the move away from Middle Schools is available via the Department of Education and Training Website: https://education.nt.gov.au/statistics-research-and-strategies/secondary-reform-program/information-and-survey