Adelaide’s Massada College to close down
The Australian Council of Jewish Schools notes with regret the decision taken in Adelaide by the Administrators to cease operating Massada College with effect from 8th July 2011. Massada College Adelaide since it was first registered as a school in 1975 was the only Jewish Day School in South Australia.
Over the past year the Council has assisted the school’s officers in their attempts to find ways to overcome the financial difficulties that the College faced. The financial difficulties the school encountered was the result of a number of factors, including, particularly, low enrolments.
The school management through these past months considered and introduced strategies to address the situation it faced. During this time the school maintained the quality of education it had provided and maintained the excellent academic record of the school.
The Council wishes to acknowledge the efforts of the School President and Board as well as the officers and representatives of the Jewish Board of Deputies of South Australia, the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, the officers of the South Australian Non Government Registered School’s Board and Department of Employment Education and Work Place Relations who, through their offices, provided assistance, guidance and the opportunity for the attempts of the College and this Council to overcome the unfortunate situation.
Surely there would be funds available from the recent Government support for Jewish Primary Schools. It is surprising that a school business plan to sustain viabilty cannot be developed. It would be tragic if the school must close.