Reynella Primary School parents have voted to reject a State Government plan to move the school’s music program.

The parents met with school principal Steve Freeman and Governing Council Chairperson Amanda Carne last night, voting to reject the plan outright and write letters of opposition to Education Minister Jane Lomax-Smith.

I attended the meeting and was told that DECS created the plan without any direct consultation with the school’s principal, leadership team, music students or their families.

Under the plan, 45 music students at Reynella Primary School will have to travel out of their way to attend their lessons.

Who is supposed to drive these students to and from Reynella East High School? Most parents work during the day and can’t afford to take the time off.

DECS wants to take away the school’s program and operate the program for eight different schools out of Reynella East High School.

The schools expected to travel are Reynella Primary School, Happy Valley Primary School, Braeview Primary School, Reynella South Primary School, Woodcroft Primary School, Coorara Primary School and Hackham East Primary School.

DECS should supply music programs to all of the schools that want them AT their own schools, especially if those schools already have successful programs in place like Reynella Primary School has.

Let the four music teachers spend a day at each school. Doesn’t this make more sense than moving hundreds of children?