With a growing population of young families eager to find adequate schooling options in their community, calls for genuine development to be done have again sparked up after a recent social media post from Member for Hornsby Matt Kean.
Kean took to social media and recently posted about the need for a co-ed high school North of Hornsby on social media.
"Following representation to the Department of Education about the need for a co-ed high school North of Hornsby, the department has agreed to commence consultation about options for our community." - Matt Kean, MP.
The Department of Education agreed to commence consultation on three proposals. The first is retaining the existing arrangements where families can choose between Asquith Boys or Asquith Girls and one existing co-ed option.
The second option is to reclassify Asquith Boys and Asquith Girls into two separate co-ed high schools.
The third and final option is merging Asquith Boys and Asquith Girls to become one large co-ed high school spread across one junior campus and one senior campus.
Sadly, proposals stop there, and the option for a new co-ed school has been left on the sidelines.
However, what makes this social media post somewhat interesting is that Matt Kean initially commissioned a feasibility study for a brand-new co-ed high school in Hornsby in 2021, slated to be finalised in 2022.
So, what happened to the possibility of a new co-ed school option?
Many residents are now sceptical and are calling on Kean to release the study so that they can see the results for themselves. The Post recently attempted to contact Kean's office about the feasibility study, which was apparently set to be finalised within the first quarter of 2022.
After a brief conversation with Kean’s team, it's apparent that the feasibility study and a push for a new Co-ed school seemed to die out with the recent federal election. The Post was told that the Liberal Party no longer being in government has resulted in Kean’s team not having any feasibility report or any numbers to show for it. A sad and rather abrupt end to any co-ed school push. Instead of providing any clarity to the study, The Post was told to look elsewhere for the feasibility details. This whole debacle does not excuse the fact Kean has been the Member of Hornsby for the last 13 years, but that mustn't be long enough to keep pushing for a new co-ed school.
No one can doubt that the proposals with the education department are amicable. However, there is a need to address the growing number of young families residing in the area. Additionally, the proposals need to provide the option for a completely new co-educational school.
Residents have commented on Kean's Facebook post regarding the community consultation on co-ed schooling.
"None of these options address the increase in the number of young families living in this area. Are any of the current schools capable of expansion? I would have thought a new co-ed high school, preferably north of current schools, should at least be considered."
Another local commented with similar views.
"Why is there no Option 4: Create a standalone Co-ed high school north of Hornsby."
Another comment asking for Kean's feasibility report.
"What happened to the feasibility study announced for a brand-new high school in Hornsby?"
It appears strange that a feasibility study would disprove a new co-ed school in Hornsby despite the apparent demand among locals.
The lack of co-ed high school options in the Hornsby Shire area continues to be a significant concern for families, and the lack of transparency from elected officials only adds to their frustration.
Patching over these issues by blending existing schools or not looking for a more expansive option to intake growing families will not fix the problem. A proposed new school should have been the primary option from the get-go.
The Post is now taking steps to seek out the Feasibility Study from the NSW Department of Education and will certainly bring that information to the community.
