New principals appointed as return to four separate Murwillumbah schools progresses
By Robert Heyward
The Minns Labor Government is delivering on its election promise to return to four separate public schools for the Murwillumbah community after the Liberals’ and Nationals’ failed mega-merger was rejected by locals, teachers and the school community.
Work to return to two separate high schools, Wollumbin High School and Murwillumbah High School, is progressing well, with two new principals appointed to ensure the re-establishment of separate schools creates a positive student experience.
Wollumbin High School and Murwillumbah High School will resume operations separately from Day 1, Term 1 2025, in line with a commitment from the Minns Labor Government in 2023. The timeline and works to support the return to separate schools came after consultation with more than 260 students, staff, parents and carers.
Zoe Tiernan has taken up the position of principal at Murwillumbah High School, having previously been the Deputy Principal Instructional Leader across all three campuses of The Rivers Secondary College in Lismore.
Former Wollumbin Deputy Principal Kelly Spilstead is excited to be returning to the area as Wollumbin High School Principal after a stint as Relieving Principal at Mullumbimby High School.
School student leaders have been appointed and are ready to take up their roles leading house groups at the two schools – five at Wollumbin High School and four at Murwillumbah High School.
At Murwillumbah High School, works to fully restore the school are well underway, as the Department aims to refurbish classrooms and specialist learning classrooms ready for learning by Day 1, Term 1, 2025. Work is also underway on renovating the school hall, library, administration office and school support unit.
Upgrade work is also underway at Wollumbin High School. Upgrades will include improvements to the outdoor sports court, stormwater drainage, delivering new special learning support classrooms, renovations of toilet facilities, new painting, carpeting and general maintenance, a new bus shed and new sport facilities.
Deputy Premier and Education and Early Learning Minister Prue Car said:
“I am delighted that new school principals Kelly Spilstead and Zoe Tiernan will lead the Wollumbin High and Murwillumbah High School communities as they become separate schools once again.
“We are committed to delivering certainty for the Murwillumbah community, after many difficult years following the bushfires and floods.
“I look forward to seeing the four schools in Murwillumbah take shape in the coming year.”
Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin said:
“I listened to the community who were absolutely clear they wanted their four schools and I got that commitment from the Deputy Premier, who’s the Minister for Education.
“Every step towards the return to the four schools gives the school community certainty and confidence for their children’s education.
“There’s a big investment in public education in Murwillumbah with the upgrade works at Murwillumbah High School and Wollumbin High School, and I know the community is looking ahead to having its schools returned in 2025.”
Zoe Tiernan, Principal Murwillumbah High School said:
“I am incredibly excited to have been given this leadership role within Murwillumbah High School.
“I look forward to improving outcomes and inspiring all students through consultation, respect and collaboration.”
Kelly Spilstead, Principal Wollumbin High School, said:
“After some time relieving as principal of Mullumbimby High School, I’m excited to be returning to the area as we transition into two schools.
By honouring the past, staying grounded in the present, and working together to shape the future, I’m confident we will establish two high schools as the schools of choice within our community.”
