Save Our School - Upper Lansdowne Public School

We are deeply concerned about what will happen if our school goes into recess.

Recess means that the school is temporarily closed. The teachers and students are relocated to other schools and they stop taking enrolments. It’s basically a “use it or lose it” situation. If numbers don’t recover, a school in recess can eventually be permanently closed.

Our key concern is that recess closures are rarely reversed. In NSW between 2011–2022, 18 schools went into recess and only 1 is documented as having reopened — around just 5%. This shows how difficult it is to bring a school back once it is closed.

For over 130 years, our school has supported local children and families. Losing it would mean young kids travelling long distances every day just to get to school. Research shows that longer travel times can lead to fatigue, lower attendance, and less participation in school life—especially for younger children and those in rural areas.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, families in regional and rural areas already face greater challenges accessing services, including education. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare also highlights how access to local services is closely linked to better wellbeing and stronger communities.

Beyond education, our school is a key part of our valley. It brings people together, supports local events, and helps keep our community connected. When a rural school closes, it doesn’t just affect students—it impacts the whole community’s future.

We are concerned that once our school is in recess, it may never return.

We are asking for support to keep our school open—for our children, our families, and our community.