20 Jun 2025
Media Release
Friday, 20 June 2025
The Minns Labor Government has delivered on its election commitment to demerge Murrumbidgee Regional High School with the two campuses reclaiming their original names of Wade High School and Griffith High School.
The change will restore the separate and historic identities of each high school and brings an end to the disastrous and damaging experiment of the former Liberal National Government to merge the two schools against the wishes of the community.
The return to the names Wade and Griffith High Schools follows extensive community consultation on the renaming of both schools and delivers on the Government’s promise that the school communities would determine their future names.
While the return to the names Wade High School and Griffith High School has been decided, the formal change will occur Day 1, Term 1 2026 when the new logos, school uniforms, colours, and signage are finalised and launched. Community consultation on these elements will get underway shortly.
The former Liberal National Government merged Wade and Griffith High School into a ‘super-school’ in 2019. An evaluation conducted by the University of NSW in 2022 and commissioned by the Department of Education found that staff well-being had suffered as a result of the forced merger and caused reputational damage to public secondary schooling in Griffith.
Meanwhile construction on two new multipurpose halls at Wade and Griffith High School has now begun, with both to be complete by mid-2026.
The new halls will include airconditioned performance spaces, kitchenettes, basketball courts, storage rooms, accessible toilets, showers, change rooms and undercover areas.
Acting Minister for Education and Early Learning Courtney Houssos said:
“The Minns Labor Government promised the Griffith school community that they would have ownership in shaping the future of Wade and Griffith high schools and I am proud we have delivered."
“We have listened to teachers, parents and students and it is clear that restoring the names Wade High School and Griffith High School will honour the rich history and deep community ties that have shaped these schools for generations."
“The former Liberal National Government treated the Griffith community shamefully by ignoring their voices and forcing a school merger that was damaging and cruel."
“I want to acknowledge the fierce advocacy of the Member for Murray, Helen Dalton who fought tirelessly for Griffith and Wade High Schools to be restored as two, separate, proud, high quality high schools and to Education Minister Prue Car for listening and acting.”
Wade High School principal Yvan Chambers said:
“The return to our original name allows our school community to reconnect with its proud history and alumni."
“At the same time our school is buzzing with excitement as work starts on new facilities that will provide our students with first-class opportunities.”
Griffith High School principal Duncan Lovelock said:
“An exciting element of our rebirth as a standalone school is the return of the interschool rivalry between Wade and Griffith high schools."
“Our community is excited to be reclaiming its history, and we look forward to working with Wade to lift educational outcomes across the region.”