FAMILIES at St Joseph's Primary Merewether say they are "extremely disappointed", after the Diocese of Maitland Newcastle went against their pleas to delay its takeover of their much-loved out of school hours service.
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The diocese wrote to families on Thursday night, telling them current provider KidsConnect Australia (KCA) had agreed to transfer its service approval to the diocese's St Nicholas OOSH brand from January 2020.
St Nicholas will start to offer care at the school from January 13, pending service approval from the regulator.
Families seeking OOSH services from January 6 can attend an alternate St Nicholas location, such as St Therese's Primary, New Lambton or St James' Primary, Kotara South.
The letter said the diocese was "very grateful" that KCA's Renee Murray would act as a consultant from January 13 to early in term one.
Families had been calling on the diocese to reverse its decision or at least implement a transition period, raising concerns about the treatment of the respected KCA, why it was "targeted" first, the lack of consultation about the decision and the short notice.
"We are extremely disappointed in the diocese's decision to replace our school's existing and much-loved OOSH service provided by KCA," parents said in a statement to the Newcastle Herald.
"The lack of consultation with parents and the refusal to respond to our queries is truly disturbing.
"To see a fantastic, local service such as KCA lose its business just prior to Christmas is very worrying and not a reflection of so-called Christian values."
The letter brought to an end a rollercoaster two months for families. The Herald has previously reported that the diocese is planning to replace all OOSH providers at its schools with its own brand by the end of 2020.
The diocese told KCA on November 25 it was ending KCA's operations and wanted its licence.
Diocese chief executive Sean Scanlon said at a December 2 meeting at the school he would not be implementing a transition, despite there being "nothing stopping" him delaying the take over.
He said revenue may be used to compensate abuse survivors.
Parent Alana Dagwell said it was "such a shame that KCA's excellent service and reputation wasn't enough to keep them at our school".
"My kids say they don't want to go to OOSH if the KCA team isn't there. It makes it hard for working parents."
Parent Natalie van den Boogaard said the diocese executive had "caused harm to families in the mishandling of this situation and in delaying communication until three days before the end of term".
"It would seem appropriate that they extend a sincere apology."
Helen Gregory
Helen Gregory joined the Newcastle Herald in 2010. She is the masthead’s education reporter and has written for the H2 and Weekender sections, as well as across a range of issues. Helen is a Walkley Award winning journalist and was also part of the Newcastle Herald team that won the United Nations World Environment Day Media Award for Environmental Reporting.
Helen Gregory joined the Newcastle Herald in 2010. She is the masthead’s education reporter and has written for the H2 and Weekender sections, as well as across a range of issues. Helen is a Walkley Award winning journalist and was also part of the Newcastle Herald team that won the United Nations World Environment Day Media Award for Environmental Reporting.
