Principals from government, independent and Catholic schools across Northern Tasmania have released an open letter detailing their support for relocating the University of Tasmania.
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The letter is signed by Launceston Church Grammar School headmaster, Stephen Norris, St Patrick’s College acting principal, Dr Julienne Colman, Scotch Oakburn College principal, Andy Muller, Launceston Christian College principal, Adrian Bosker and Port Dalrymple principal, Philip Challis.
“While higher education may not suit everyone, better participation and retention rates are linked to better outcomes for individuals, businesses and the whole community,” the letter said.
Principals from various schools around the north were presented with the rationale behind moving the university from Mowbray to Inveresk by Tasmania’s coordinator-general John Perry and Tourism Northern Tasmania chair James Mckee.
“They outlined various aspects of the whole project and then we agreed we would be happy to present a unified show of support for the project,” Mr Muller said. By moving the school into Launceston’s city centre, Mr Muller said it would put tertiary education at the “forefront of people’s minds.”
“It is there, they see it everyday and so our students become aspirational about the idea of going on from school…into university, or at least considering deeply and thoughtfully actually going on and getting a tertiary degree,” Mr Muller said. “All the research shows, as a society and as a community, the higher our level of education the better level our quality of life.”
Mr Muller said the university would benefit the entire community as it would turn Launceston into a “real university town.”
The $300 million plan to relocate UTAS has been a hot topic in Tasmania since the 2016 federal budget was announced on Tuesday. Federal treasurer Scott Morrison did not outline any funding for the move but opposition leader Bill Shorten announced Labor would put $150 million towards the project if elected.
“[Principals] see this as just another element of the important process of Tasmania putting education as a really important … element of our state's growth and development,” Mr Muller said.