Wee Waa High School students air serious claims in letter to MP

Shooters, Fishers and Farmers MLC Mark Banasiak says the students have shown maturity beyond their years. (ABC Illawarra: Sarah Moss)

A NSW Upper House MP has aired serious claims in Parliament from students at a high school plagued by an ongoing health saga.

Shooters Fishers and Farmers MLC Mark Banasiak told the Parliament he received a letter from year 12 students at Wee Waa High School in north-west NSW, which has been closed since November 2020.

Since July, more than 50 students and staff have developed health issues consistent with exposure to mould.

Quoting the letter, Mr Banasiak told the Parliament senior students "have been tossed around the town to various locations, including a business office space in the main street of town for all the world to see."

"Usually the majority of our year is enthusiastic and excited to come to school.

"Yet it has come to the point where we quite literally do not want to be there anymore."

Mr Banasiak said the letter was written with a maturity that belies the students' age.

"These students are courageous in reaching out to me and resilient in a time when they should be focused on much bigger things," he said.

Letter 'cannot be verified'

The Minister for Education, Sarah Mitchell, has confirmed her office had received "an unnamed letter with no date" but said it "cannot be verified."

Ms Mitchell said the Department of Education worked hard to keep students engaged throughout last year's transition from the high school site to the nearby primary school campus.

"This included organising a large local shop front for students to learn from so they could continue learning together," she said.

"We will continue supporting the school until this issue is resolved."

NSW Treasury is currently considering a business case for a new Wee Waa High School. (Supplied: Narrabri Shire Council)

The Minister also took aim at Mr Banasiak for live-streaming a video on Facebook, which shows him delivering the letter to the Minister's office.

"There is an audio of that happening and I think that that is a bit inappropriate," the Minister told Question Time.

"Our staff have a right to be able to be in their workplace and not be filmed without their knowledge."

The students were recently forced to return to remote learning after more people reported symptoms while studying from demountable buildings at the primary school campus.

A business case for a new Wee Waa High School is currently before Treasury.