QUAMBATOOK Group School will be vacated at the end of term one, with students to transfer to schools in Boort and Kerang.
Officially, the school will remain open but unoccupied, and only School Council has the authority to decide on its closure.
School Council president, Briony Baker said the six students were being forced to go elsewhere not because there were insufficient numbers, but because an acting principal could not be found.
Current acting principal, Xanthie Girdwood commenced maternity leave yesterday, while fellow teacher, Ashley Blight will also take maternity leave from the end of term one.
“We didn’t have any choice; we’ve been advertising for an acting principal but no-one applied,” Ms Baker said.
“We had the kids here and the families were happy to keep the kids here but no-one would come and work at Quamby.”
Ms Baker said no applications for the acting principal’s position had been received by the deadline a fortnight ago, and the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development’s Graeme Scoberg had spent the following two weeks searching for a candidate.
“Two weeks ago we were told we hadn’t had any applications and that Graeme was going to push for applications but last night was D-Day,” Ms Baker said on Friday.
“He has been fabulous and he’s worked really hard but he couldn’t find anyone.”
Four students will transfer to Boort District School, one will move to Kerang South Primary School and the parent of the final student is undecided.
Boort District School will ultimately be entitled to the majority of infrastructure and resources at Quambatook if School Council decides on its official closure.
“Nothing can happen to the school until it’s officially closed, so everything will stay the way it is and we’ll still have a gardener and a cleaner, so if it does get reopened it won’t need any work,” Ms Baker said.
Ms Baker said it was a deeply sad time for students, staff, parents and the wider Quambatook community.
“It’s just so sad and I’ve cried and cried and cried,” she said.
“I really want to emphasise how much dedication and passion Xanthie and Ashley have, because these two and [former principal] Greg Adams when he was here have been the best teachers I’ve ever come across.”
Swan Hill North Primary School teacher, Mark Corrie has been appointed acting principal for the remaining five weeks of term one.
Department spokesman, Steve Tolley said the department would support all students and their families in the transition process.
