A principal at an ‘alternative school’ is threatening to continue teaching illegally despite the school facing deregistration.
Eagle Arts and Vocational College in Sydney accepts students who suffer from anxiety and depression, as well as those who face being homeless.
One student even attends class with her young child.
The school’s principal Gab McIntosh says Year 12 students will be ‘tipped on the streets’ if a push to close the grade goes forward, told Nine News.
A principal at an ‘alternative school’ in Sydney is threatening to continue teaching illegally despite the school’s registration for year 12 expiring
The Board of NESA recommended the registration for Years 9 to 11 be cancelled and that the school’s registration for Year 12 not be renewed.
‘Many of our students suffer from anxiety and depression or continuing anger,’ Ms McIntosh said.
‘One of our year 12’s has just had a baby, which she will bring to school. Other students are borderline homeless.’
Ms McIntosh told the network she is prepared to ‘risk prosecution’ to continuing teaching the students’.
She protested outside Parliament House, claiming the ‘wonderful alternative schools’ need to be kept open for 100 students across the state.
‘Most of them will absolutely refuse to go back to a mainstream school,’ she said.
‘Mainstream schools do not satisfy their needs, they do not work in a cooperative manner with students with depression or anxiety and we are desperate to keep our school, which is free, open.’
Eagle Arts and Vocational College (pictured) principal Gab McIntosh told Nine News students in Year 12 at the school are being tipped on the streets.
A spokesperson for the Board of NESA told Daily Mail Australia the welfare and education of the students is at risk.
‘The NESA Board found that the school is not complying with the requirements for teaching staff, curriculum and providing a safe and supportive environment,’ he said in a statement.
‘These are critical areas of operation. The school’s non-compliance places the welfare and education of students at risk.
‘The school lodged a complaint with the Anti-Discrimination Board (‘ADB’). NESA advised the school and the ADB that it rejects the allegations.
‘An initial hearing before NCAT was held on 5 April 2018 and those proceedings are continuing.’