A major upgrade will bring Liverpool Boys and Girls High Schools together, catering for up to 2,000 students in a boost for Sydney’s South-West.
The decision, announced by the NSW Government today, was prompted by Liverpool’s surging population and followed extensive consultation with the community that revealed 56% of parents stated a preference for a co-educational high school.
Liverpool Boys and Girls High Schools, currently co-located on adjoining sites, will now come together within the area’s new health and education precinct, as part of the NSW Government’s $3.5bn upgrade plan for South-West Sydney.
The brand-new school will include new teaching spaces and specialist facilities, as well as a new library and an expanded range of subjects for students, with purpose-built facilities delivering specialised pathways into health and higher education.
In recognition of the preferences of some students and families, the co-educational schools will also provide opportunities for single-sex-focused classes and activities.
“This is a huge investment in a rapidly growing community, ensuring working families have access to a world class public education,” Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning, Prue Car, said.
“The majority of families in this area expressed a preference for co-education, with the increase in student population at the school to expand the range of subjects and extra-curricular activities available for students.”
Member for Liverpool Charishma Kaliyanda said one of her goals as the local member has been to create pathways for young people’s futures in the city of Liverpool.
“Today’s announcement is a significant step in realising that vision,” she said. “The consolidation of Liverpool Boys and Girls into a single, brand-new co-educational campus is an essential milestone in creating a ‘cradle-to-PhD’ education precinct in the Liverpool CBD.
Kaliyanda said Liverpool’s population surge led to an assessment of the suitability of the city’s existing local schools.
“This redevelopment is about creating state-of-the-art secondary schooling for our modern city.”
NSW Teachers Federation Senior Vice President, Natasha Watt said the new school “can and should be an example of educational excellence”.
“Through robust and sustained investment, especially in the teaching workforce, we can help all students at this new school achieve their educational ambitions,” Watt said.
“That means maintaining current teacher levels at the existing schools, planning to have enough teachers to meet growing demand and supporting teachers with an engaging and manageable workload.”
Watt said the Federation is “excited and optimistic” about how this school will be able to provide the full and expansive curriculum and help local students both meet their individual potential and contribute to a flourishing community.
Planning for the new school build is underway, with concept designs to be shared in coming months.