By NATALIE GALLENTI
STAR EXCLUSIVE:
ALMOST three months after the collapse of Mowbray College more than 70 teachers remain jobless.
Independent Education Union Victoria general secretary Debra James told Star recent calls made to the union’s 170 members from the former Mowbray College revealed 37 teachers were still looking for work and 35 had decided to take leave.
When the private school went into liquidation at the end of May this year 220 teachers and 1000 students were left stranded.
Ms James said 68 union members had found work, with most fortunate enough to follow students to local schools.
The number of teachers still out of work could total more than 150, with the employment status of 30 union and 50 non-union teachers unaccounted for.
She said schools across Melbourne’s West had been “fantastic” and offered former Mowbray College teachers opportunities to continue to work in their field.
She said a number of staff members were currently in temporary positions and would be hoping for permanent contracts with the commencement of the 2013 school year.
However Ms James said finding employment for staff members that did not teach, like members of the administration team, was proving to be more difficult.
IEU Victoria organiser Marshall Toohey said members were still waiting to be paid out their entitlements through the General Employee Entitlements Redundancy Scheme, which comes to the aid of employees when their employer is placed into liquidation.
Mr Toohey said members had become anxious and would probably have to wait another month to receive their claims.
Catholic Regional College in Sydenham saw an influx of over 160 students and 12 teachers after the closure of Mowbray College.
Catholic Regional College Principal Brendan Watson said teachers and staff were settling in well.
“The community has blended well,” Mr Watson said.
“New friendship groups have formed and many already knew each other. We’ve been trying to highlight their similarities not their differences.”
Mr Watson said a school psychologist was helping staff and students from Mowbray work through any issues arising from the schools’ folding.
He admitted staff were the forgotten victims of the closure with many of them feeling guilt over being re-employed while their colleagues remain without work.
