New Co-Educational Public School, Randwick High School Opens in the Eastern Suburbs Day 1 Term 1 2025
2025 sees the start of a new chapter for both Randwick Boys and Girls High Schools and they combine to form the new Randwick High School.
Dr Marjorie O’Neill, Member for Coogee wished all the students and staff at the new Randwick High School the very best for the new school year.
“The bringing together the two schools follows a comprehensive community consultation process to better understand parent and student decision-making regarding high school enrolment choices" she said.
To support this decision the NSW Government has committed an additional $42 million to be invested at the current sites to make the new co-educational high school a modern fit-for-purpose facility. The investment has been designed to provide all students with the best possible learning environment. There are no plans to sell any portion of the existing school sites and all land in the current schools will be retained for use of the new school.
Funds from the NSW Government’s will see upgrades including.
- upgraded science labs
- an indoor and outdoor Fitness Learning Hub
- new Technology and Applied Sciences (TAS) food technology facilities
- refurbished TAS food technology facilities including Vocational Education and Training (VET) standard kitchens
- new woodwork learning workshop
- upgraded library facilities including the provision of a new mezzanine level
- covered walkway upgrades.
- a power supply upgrade
Additional planning has begun on upgrades around the schools to support the transition to a co-educational facility.
Whilst in 2025 the school will be co-educational, not all cohorts will have all co-educational classes from 2025 as a transition time will be required in particular for the year 12 2025 cohort.
Care will be taken in the transition to ensure that HSC students are well supported during the changes. All current Stage 6 courses at the commencement of Randwick High School will be maintained through to students’ HSC examinations in 2025.
From 2025 the school will be co-educational, not all cohorts will have all co-educational classes from 2025 as a transition time will be required in particular for the year 12 2025 cohort.
What was the outcome of the recent consultations?
The department undertook comprehensive consultation with eastern suburbs school communities. Co-educational schools were preferred by the majority of those surveyed. There was particularly strong support from local public primary school parents, carers and students.
What benefits will this decision bring?
An increase in the student population of a co-educational school will expand the range of curricula and co-curricular options. The wider range of course options available to Years 11 and 12 will support post-school pathways and career options.
What will the school be called?
The interim name for the school will be Randwick High School. A consultation process with students, parents and staff will take place which will follow departmental guidelines to determine the final name for the new co-educational high school.
No parent will need to buy a new uniform during the transition to the new co-educational school. In line with the department’s policy, the school community will be consulted on issues such as uniform, motto and other important aspects of school identity.
Where will the school catchment be?
The catchment will cover the current Randwick Boys and Randwick Girls High School intake area boundaries.
What will happen to the current staff?
All substantive staff, other than the current two principals, will be guaranteed a position at the school until at least 2028. After this time, the school will be staffed according to the school staffing agreement. From 2028, all staff would be guaranteed a position either at the co-educational school or another public high school. The principals of Randwick Boys and Girls will be guaranteed commensurate positions in the public education system.
How will the transition be supported?
The department will appoint an experienced secondary principal to manage the transition to a co-educational high school. This will ensure transitional and establishment issues are given appropriate focus, planning and consultation to ensure success. A principal for the co-educational school will be recruited in the first semester of 2024.
Particular care will be taken in the transition to ensure that HSC students are well supported during the changes. All current Stage 6 courses at the commencement of Randwick High School will be maintained through to students’ HSC examinations in 2025.
How will the NSW Government ensure the school is fit for purpose?
As previously committed, an additional $42 million will be invested at the current site to make the new co-educational high school a modern fit-for-purpose facility. The investment will be designed to provide all students with the best possible learning environment.
What are the options now for parents who wish to transfer their children to a single-sex school?
Out-of-area enrolment will be considered in line with the Department’s current policy. Recent changes to school boundaries and factors such as siblings are taken into account for out-of-area enrolment applications.
What time will the school start and finish and what routines will be followed each week?
The transition team and coordinating principal will revise all school operations currently in place for the two single-sex schools and reconcile them into one set of school operations. Relevant details will be published for students and parents in 2024 and prior to the start of the 2025 school year.
How many students will the new school enrol?
In line with the department’s enrolment policy, the newly co-educational campuses will accommodate all designated intake area students. Where capacity exists, out-of-area students may seek enrolment until the school reaches its designated cap.
What is happening to undeveloped land at the existing sites?
There are no plans to sell any portion of the existing school sites. They will be retained for educational use.
