CONTRACTS have finally exchanged for the sale of Bathurst’s All Saints’ College with settlement now scheduled for December 19.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Presbyterian Church in NSW – owner of The Scots School, Bathurst – was named as the All Saints’ buyer in August and revealed plans to fully merge the two local schools in 2019.
All Saints’ College had been on the market for more than a year after the Supreme Court ordered it must be sold to help the Anglican Diocese of Bathurst repay a multi-million dollar debt to the Commonwealth Bank.
The Western Advocate understands negotiations with another prospective buyer broke down after several months before the Presbyterian Church emerged as the new owner.
Read more
An integration working group with representatives from both schools will be formed in Term One next year to develop a plan to bring the schools together in 2019.
A new school name, fee structure, school crest, uniform and school structures all up for discussion, while the Presbyterian Church has previously signalled its intention to retain both school properties.
Anglican Bishop of Bathurst Ian Palmer said negotiations with the Presbyterian Church had progressed well since the offer to buy the school was accepted in August.
“We have worked harmoniously for the past three months so that we have reached the point of exchanging contracts today,” Bishop Palmer said.
“This will give staff and students the confidence they have been looking for that the future of the school we know as All Saints’ College is secure in its Christian tradition.
“All Saints’ College was set up by the first Bishop of Bathurst 140 years ago to teach pupils in a Christian environment. Through this sale students will continue to be educated within the context of Christ’s love in a world full of change and challenge.
“Although circumstances beyond my control have forced the sale of the college, I am grateful that we will not lose the Christian heritage which was the intent of the founders of All Saints’ College and Marsden School.”
Have your say
The Presbyterian Church owns a number of schools in NSW, including The Scots College in Bellevue Hill (Sydney), PLC in Sydney and PLC in Armidale.
“The trustees believe it is a blessing to be provided with this opportunity by the Bishop of Bathurst,” general manager Jeof Falls said.
The chairman of The Scots School board, Adrian Lamrock, said the exchange of contracts opened up “tremendous opportunities for both school communities”.
