Premier Chris Minns visited the Griffith school earlier this year with Helen Dalton and explained the de-merger process. Photo: Helen Dalton/Facebook.
Griffith’s only two public high schools will get their original names back, after a four-month committee and consultation process.
Griffith High and Wade High were controversially merged into a so-called super school by the NSW Coalition government in 2018, which was named Murrumbidgee Regional High School.
Due to multiple problems, the NSW Labor Government de-merged the two schools after winning the state election in 2023.
In February 2025, the Education Department formed committees in each school and started consultation regarding what the name of each school should be, flagging options such as Burley Griffin High for the old Wade school.
However, independent MP for Murray Helen Dalton announced on Thursday (19 June) that the two schools would revert to their original names, Griffith and Wade.
“The merged school model was like a forced marriage that no one wanted,” Mrs Dalton said.
“The children, their families and the staff have all suffered as a result of the ill-considered merger and finally common sense has prevailed.
“I want to acknowledge the Education Minister Prue Car for listening and acting on my advocacy and for listening to what the community wanted.
“It’s rewarding to see both Griffith and Wade high schools restored as two, separate, proud, high-quality high schools.”
Opening of Wade High in 1971. Photo: David Sides/Old Griffith NSW Album.
Griffith High was opened in 1933 and was named after the town. Wade High opened in 1971 and was named after Leslie Wade, a civil engineer who led the development of the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area (MIA).
A Region poll of almost 500 readers found that 90 per cent wanted the schools to revert back to these names.
“The merger was an experiment, it failed. So why not return to the status quo?” former Griffith High science teacher John Robinson argued.
Mrs Dalton had pushed to separate the schools since 2018.
“The merger plan deserved an ‘F’ because it completely failed everybody,” Mrs Dalton said.
“Over 300 students were lost to competing schools because of the merger, with an unacceptable number of vacant teaching positions across both sites.”
While the return to the names Wade High School and Griffith High School takes effect immediately, further consultation will now begin on the visual identity of each school. This includes the development of new logos, school uniforms, colours, and signage, which will be finalised and launched in Term 1, 2026.
Construction on two new multipurpose halls at Wade and Griffith high schools has now begun, with both to be completed by mid-2026.
The new halls will include air-conditioned performance spaces, kitchenettes, basketball courts, storage rooms, accessible toilets, showers, changerooms and undercover areas.
