Sweeping changes to high schools in the northern beaches, including potentially transforming Balgowlah Boys and Mackellar Girls into co-educational campuses, have been proposed as part of a broader initiative to provide all students access to mixed-gender public education by 2027.
Community feedback on four proposals for reshaping Northern Beaches’ secondary education was released in early August. Aside from the co-ed plans, pne proposal seeks to expand Freshwater Senior Campus to accommodate Years 7-12, adjusting intake areas for Cromer Campus and The Forest High School, and introducing non-selective enrolment options at Manly Campus.
| Proposal | Description |
|---|---|
| A | NBSC Freshwater Senior Campus would move from a Year 11-12 Senior campus to a Year 7-12 Campus. |
| B | NBSC Manly Campus would offer non-selective enrolment in Years 7-9 for students from a new local intake area, with the current arrangement that adds additional selective students in older grades to cease. Non-selective students would move to NBSC Freshwater Senior Campus for Years 10-12. |
| C | Intake area adjustments for NBSC Cromer Campus and The Forest High School, to expand their intake areas to all homes without a guaranteed co-educational option. |
| D | NBSC Mackellar Girls Campus and NBSC Balgowlah Boys Campus would become co-educational Year 7-12 campuses. |
The proposed changes have sparked intense debate among parents and educators in the Northern Beaches community. While some welcome the prospect of increased co-educational options, others express concern about potential impacts on existing school specialisations and infrastructure.
Optimism for Change
Many parents, particularly those in single-sex school catchment areas, support the move towards more co-educational options. They argue that families should have the choice to send their children to mixed-gender schools, especially in areas like Curl Curl and Freshwater where such options are currently limited.
However, the proposals have also met with scepticism from some community members. Sarah Grattan, a Manly high school parent, points out that the current system of specialised schools within the Northern Beaches Secondary College (NBSC) works well for different student cohorts.
Ms Grattan said that each school in the NBSC network has developed strengths in specific areas, such as boys’ education at Balgowlah Boys, girls’ education at Mackellar Girls, and gifted education at Manly Selective. She expresses concern that altering this structure could disrupt successful educational models.
Infrastructure and Transport Challenges
A recurring theme in community feedback is the need for improved school infrastructure and transport options. Many parents highlight overcrowding in existing schools and difficulties with student commutes as more pressing issues than co-educational access.
James Griffin (Manly) urges caution in the consultation process, referencing past education reforms that led to school closures and unfulfilled promises. He emphasises the importance of community-driven decision-making in shaping the future of local education.
The Department of Education is conducting a series of consultation workshops throughout August and September to gather feedback from parents, staff, and the general public. Community members are encouraged to participate in these sessions to ensure their voices are heard in the decision-making process.
Upcoming Consultation Workshops
| Date | Time | Audience | Location |
| Aug 14 | 6:00 pm | Feeder Primary Parents and Carers | 138 Abbott Rd |
| Aug 19 | 6:00 pm | Secondary College Parents and Carers | Online |
| Aug 20 | 10:30 am | General Public | Online |
| Aug 21 | 6:45 pm | Secondary College Parents and Carers | NBSC Manly Campus |
| Aug 26 | 3:30 pm | Feeder Primary School staff | Online |
| Aug 26 | 6:00 pm | Secondary College Parents and Carers | 138 Abbott Rd |
| Aug 27 | 5:00 pm | Feeder Primary Parents and Carers | Online |
| Aug 27 | 6:45 pm | Secondary College Parents and Carers | Online |
| Sept 2 | 3:30 pm | Freshwater Senior Campus Staff | Freshwater Senior Campus |
| Sept 3 | 3:30 pm | Mackellar Girls Campus Staff | Mackellar Girls Campus |
| Sept 4 | 3:30 pm | The Forest High School Staff | 109 Frenchs Forest Rd W |
| Sept 9 | 3:30 pm | Balgowlah Boys Campus Staff | Balgowlah Boys Campus |
| Sept 10 | 3:30 pm | Cromer Campus Staff | NBSC Cromer Campus |
| Sept 16 | 3:30 pm | Manly Campus Staff | NBSC Manly Campus |
| Sept 16 | 5:30 pm | Feeder Primary Parents and Carers | NBSC Manly Campus |
For the most up-to-date information and to book a spot, visit the Eventbrite page or contact northernbeachesconsultation@det.edu.au.
Published 13-Aug-2024
