Lack of funds culminates in school closure
DALIA SABLE
AFTER struggling with funds and enrolments, the Bais Aron Azriel Torah Academy (BAATA) has been forced to close its doors in the middle of the school year. The school provided alternative education for Jewish students with needs not catered for in mainstream schools.
It attempted to find funds to retain its handful of students, but was ultimately forced to relocate its students to other institutions. The majority moved to Yeshivah-Beth Rivkah Colleges and a special-needs school.
Parent and BAATA supporter Sam Lipski called the school’s closure “a great loss to the community”. “We have so many schools in this community, yet we don’t have one which could be said to be able to provide alternative schooling for those who do not fit into a large, formal school framework,” he told The AJN.
“I think it is a great shame that Melbourne cannot support at least one alternative school.” While BAATA founder Sarah Baila Teleshevsky, a teacher for 25 years, is currently overseas, a spokesperson from the school told The AJN that BAATA would attempt to reopen when adequate government or community funding could be secured.
Working in conjunction with Jewish schools, Teleshevsky identified children with special needs who could benefit from BAATA’s creative learning experiences. Many of its students were able to move back into mainstream schools after a short time at the school with enhanced abilities and confidence.
“Every student who went there benefited enormously,” Lipski said. “The school prepared every child in it to be able to go on to participate in wider schooling. What I am sorry about is that it didn’t get the support it needed.
“Sarah Baila made a valiant and brave effort and I’m hoping that, one day, for kids of the future, it will happen again.”
BAATA began on a 44-acre property in Greenvale, and relocated to Caulfield in 2007. Blending Torah studies with vocational education, BAATA’s classes were taught in an intimate cheder style, with subjects including mechanics, electronics, home economics and art.
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