Co-Educational Highschool Updates

On 4 November the outcome of the Northern Beaches College co-educational high school consultation was announced. The NSW government requires that by 2027, every child has a guaranteed option of a co-education high school and the consultation was to receive feedback on what local parents and citizens felt would best serve the needs of the community.

The outcome was that the current Freshwater Senior Campus on Harbord Road, which currently takes only year 11 & 12 students, will convert to a 7-12 school for both girls and boys in 2027.

Our understanding is that Balgowlah Boys and Mackellar girls continue as is, giving parents the option to attend either single sex or co-ed public High schools.

 Harbord Public School P&C supports this decision and P&C committee representatives who attended consultations advocated for this option.

We believe this will provide a wonderful opportunity for current Harbord students, both boys and girls, to more easily maintain the family connections that the P&C strives to encourage and for our children to have varied and long lasting friendships. Siblings and neighbours will have the option to attend the same school and parents can enjoy going to one school's events, if that is their choice. And the trip to school will be very short!

Of course, this decision also allows for those who believe their children would be better suited to a single sex educational setting, to have that opportunity in a public school. Students who are already settled in the existing high schools can remain there, which was understandably a major concern for many parents of older children in our area who are happy where they are.

The webpage with more information is HERE

Thank you to all the parents who attended consultations and wrote letters to advocate for the community, regardless of what your preference was. We  hope this is welcome news for most of you.

 

We await further details of catchment area adjustments to know exactly which addresses will be given a guaranteed option of a place in 2027.