Save Our School - Upper Lansdowne Public School

Petition addressed to: Department of Education

For over 130 years, our local school has been part of this community—teaching our children and bringing families together.

Now, it is at risk of going into recess due to low enrolment numbers.

If this happens, local kids will have to travel further to attend school, making daily life harder for families and limiting children’s ability to be part of their school community. For rural areas like ours, having a local school is essential.

Our school is more than a place to learn. It is a meeting place, a support network, and an important part of life in our valley. Losing it would have a lasting impact on our whole community.

We are asking for your support to help keep our school open and protect its future.

Every signature matters.

IMPORTANT UPDATE:
After reaching 500 signatures, we have escalated our petition to a Legislative Assembly e-petition with the goal of reaching 20,000 signatures and having our cause debated in Parliament. We would greatly appreciate your support by signing and sharing this petition also to help us reach this milestone.

https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/la/Pages/ePetition-details.aspx?q=-w66AStz5YQmh0a6Fl5jCg

Reason

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.

Thank you so much for your support, Upper Lansdowne Public Public School P&C, Upper Lansdowne

Question to the initiator

Petition details

Petition started: 05/06/2026
Collection ends: 11/05/2026
Region: Mid-Coast
Topic: Education

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Changes to the petition

on 22 May 2026
Subscription period active - Important Update - New Legislative Assembly Petition

on 21 May 2026

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Dear Supporters,
We wanted to share an important update in our fight to protect our school and community.
Following advice from our local member, we have now escalated our petition to a Legislative Assembly Petition. This is a significant step forward and gives us the opportunity to have our cause formally debated in Parliament — but to make that happen, we need to reach 20,000 signatures.
This is a huge milestone, and one we can only achieve with the continued support of our community and everyone who believes in the future of our school.
Every signature matters.
Here’s how you can help:
• Sign the new petition
• Share it with friends, family, neighbours and community groups
• Post it on social media
• Encourage others to speak up about why this school matters
Our school has served this community for generations, and together we can make sure our voices are heard at the highest level.
Thank you for standing with us and for the incredible support shown so far. We still have work to do, but this is a powerful opportunity to push our case directly into Parliament.
https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/la/pages/epetition-details.aspx?q=-w66AStz5YQmh0a6Fl5jCg
Together, we can show just how much this community cares.
Kind regards,
Upper Lansdowne Public School P&C
Subscription period active - You’re invited to a special community meeting, 19th May 2026

on 15 May 2026

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Dear Supporters,
Thank you for the incredible support for Upper Lansdowne Public School. The response so far has been encouraging and demonstrates just how much this school means to local families and the wider community.
We would like to invite you to attend a community meeting to discuss the current situation facing the school and the actions being taken to support its future.
Community Meeting
📍 Upper Lansdowne Hall, 1412 Upper Lansdowne Rd
📅 Tuesday 19th May
🕕 6:00pm
During the meeting, we will discuss:
* What has been done so far
* Current advocacy and community efforts underway
* Planned next steps
* How community members can continue to help and support the campaign
This is an opportunity for everyone who cares about the future of our school to come together, stay informed, share ideas, and help shape the path forward.
We encourage you to attend and to share this invitation with others who may wish to support the school and our community.
Thank you again for standing with us.
P&C, Upper Lansdowne Public School

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Why people sign

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Comment by Allan Ryan

Upper Lansdowne, 11 hours ago

I went to that school 60 years ago

Comment by Emma Mellows

Booral, 9 days ago

Supporting our community and rural providers

Comment by Marilyn Rutledge

Old Bar, on 28 May 2026

To keep the school open for the children to be able to attend their local school.

Comment by Janet Griffith

Bootawa, on 27 May 2026

Schools in small communities are very important for students and families.

Comment by Jessica Jones

Yarrahapinni, on 27 May 2026

I attended Upper Lansdowne Primary 35 years ago and it was a fantastic and unique experience, surrounded by kids of different ages, learning all together

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Save Our School - Upper Lansdowne Public School

589 Signatures