Community
25 November, 2025
Penrose families deserve better: Tuckerman
An air of uncertainty continues to hang over Penrose Public School.
An air of uncertainty continues to hang over Penrose Public School.
Member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman said she had requested more information from the Minister for Education, and the Minister’s response had confirmed “there is no clear plan to boost enrolments or prevent closure” of the school.
As reported previously in The Southern Wire, no formal announcement has been made about the school’s future, but residents are being told that new enrolments are not being accepted for 2026.
The NSW Government still features a ‘Ready to enrol?’ link for the school.
Wingecarribee Shire mayor Jess Fitzpatrick has described the potential loss of Penrose Public School as “not simply a matter of enrolments but one that goes to the heart of the village’s social infrastructure”.
“Local schools are more than educational institutions; they are critical elements of village identity, vitality and resilience,” he said in a Mayoral Minute tabled at council’s September meeting.”
Mrs Tuckerman said she had asked the Minister about the “proposed process” given Penrose Public School was facing closure and about the support being offered to staff, students and families.
She said formal consultation had only commenced with the community in late September – months after initial discussions with the principal and staff.
She said the Department was meeting with parents individually and support for staff included access to the Employee Assistance Program.
Mrs Tuckerman said local schools were often at the ‘heart’ of communities like Penrose – and like Avoca and Tirrana which have also suffered recent school closures.
“Families and staff deserve clear action and genuine support, not just procedural meetings,” Mrs Tuckerman said.
“Closing a school has real impacts on children and rural communities,” she said.
Local residents have been encouraged to rally behind the school and hundreds of people have already signed a petition protesting its closure.
Community members have continued to express concern over the lack of consultation from the NSW Department of Education.
Penrose Public School is described on the Department of Education’s website as a well-established school surrounded by a “unique, beautiful, rural village environment”.
It is a “true community school where students, their families, staff and the local community are welcomed, valued and involved”.
Read More: Penrose, Southern Highlands