Hurlstone kids pressured to abandon walkathon

Responding to claims by the lobby group Save Hurlstone's Educational Agricultural Property, Dr Kaye said: "The walkathon would not be necessary if the school was not being targeted for sale by the Rees government.

"The sale of land at Hurlstone has been opposed by the local and rural communities, past and present students, parents, the agriculture industry and educators.

"Every square metre of land at Hurlstone is being used for education.

"The values being shown by the current students are exactly the sort that should be fostered in public schools.

"They are defending public education from an act of vandalism.

"Instead of silencing the students, Education Minister Verity Firth should congratulate them for showing the courage and commitment to stand up for their school.

"She should pull into line those Department of Education officials that have ordered the walkathon to be shut down.

"Being heavy handed with Hurlstone students will not address the fundamental flaws in the school land sale proposal.

"Undermining the educational future of NSW by selling off school land is a very short sighted way to balance the books," Dr Kaye said.