Melos Group made the announcement last week, suggesting the time frame between getting approval to operate in October and registrations closing in November was too short to get any traction.
Executive principal Phillip Nash said the NSW Education Standards Authority has fortunately agreed to put the school’s approval on hold for a 2027 opening instead.
Mr Nash said work planned for the school campus would also continue over this time.
He also said the delay on opening the school for secondary education could see plans for an early childhood education service on the campus brought forward again.
“We were hoping to get 20 registrations to start the school off, but we got none - which is surprising, disappointing and puzzling given the interest we received,” Mr Nash said.
“We don’t think it’s anything to do with our school - we’ve had absolutely no negative feedback and everyone has been so supporting, from the mayor down - we think it’s just a timing issue.
“We want to let the community known we are here to stay, and I’m sure the opening will happen.
“We have already received emails from families with children starting Year 7 in 2027, and we are taking enrolments for that year now, and we will hold some public meetings and school tours in the new year.”
Mr Nash said staff who had been recruited, but were waiting on enrolment numbers to sign contracts, have been notified, and he said they are “happy to wait and see what happens next year”.
Mr Nash said Melos Group are “not deterred” in their aim to provide another secondary schooling option to the community, and with one more year to plan will now also look at bringing forward options for early childhood education.
“A long daycare centre is in our long term plans, and we’re still looking at accelerating that,” he said.
“Maybe now it is something we can start next year, but it depends on how things go.”
For the enrolment form link and to get updates on the school’s progress, go to www.facebook.com/RiverinaChristianCollege.
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