The survey revealed that some parents initially had concerns about the lack of co-ed options in the area, but they later realized the benefits of single-sex education for their children. Balgowlah Boys High School was ranked as the top comprehensive school in the previous year’s HSC, surpassing selective and private schools. Mackellar Girls also performed well in the HSC, with parents expressing satisfaction with the school’s strong academic results and positive culture. The possibility of co-ed mergers at certain schools on the northern beaches has been discussed, raising concerns among parents about the lack of communication and why certain schools were chosen for conversion.
Asquith Girls P&C president Lisa Rothwell expressed frustration over the lack of communication from the department regarding the possible conversion to a co-ed school. She highlighted the positive impact of the single-sex environment on students and questioned why certain schools were selected for conversion while others were left untouched. In other areas, adjustments are being made to catchments to provide families in single-sex school zones with co-ed options. However, some parents, like Annalies Hodge from Balgowlah Heights Public, prefer the idea of sending their children to a co-ed high school to better prepare them for life after school.
Some single-sex state schools have experienced a decline in student numbers in recent years, as parents opt for co-ed private schools due to a lack of choice. A proposal to add a comprehensive stream to Manly Selective up to year 9 has sparked significant concern among parents, who fear it may disrupt students across all grades. The government has announced the merger of single-sex schools to form new co-campuses in various locations, including Randwick High, Liverpool High, and Georges River College. Research shows that single-sex schools generally have a slight academic advantage over co-ed schools, but the gap narrows when considering socio-economic background and parents’ education.
Overall, the consultation process in the northern beaches, Hornsby, and Kogarah areas is ongoing, with feedback being considered and updates expected later in the year. While single-sex schools have historically outperformed co-ed schools in the HSC, boys’ schools have made progress in narrowing the gap in recent years. The debate over the benefits of single-sex versus co-ed education continues, with parents, educators, and policymakers weighing the advantages and disadvantages of each approach.
