Parents in Oatley have been shocked to learn children living in the area have no guarantee of getting into a co-ed high school, following an “archaic” school zoning arrangement.
Currently, children living in Oatley and Mortdale have two high schools to choose from, in their zone, when they finish primary school.
Both high schools are single-sex schools catering for Years 7 to 10: Georges River College Penshurst Girls Campus and Georges River College Hurstville Boys Campus.
If parents want to send their child to the nearest co-ed high school, they need to apply out of zone for Georges River College Peakhurst Campus (also known as Peakhurst High School).
Out of zone students are given second preference, meaning they are only enrolled at Peakhurst High School if there is enough space following local enrolments. There is no guarantee they will get into the school.
Students in both zones then attend Georges River College Oatley Senior Campus for Years 11 and 12.
Oatley Public School Parents and Citizens president, and parent, Sandy Grekas has started a petition in response to the arrangement.
She wants to see parents who live in Oatley and Mortdale given the right to choose and be guaranteed a spot in a co-ed high school from Year 7.
“It just seems a very archaic arrangement,” Ms Grekas said.
“All these local primary schools are co-ed, so it does not make sense that students are funneled into a single-sex school for Years 7 to 10 then put back into a co-ed system for Year 11 and 12.
“I just think that it is common sense that they have the choice.”
Ms Grekas said while many parents were happy sending their child to a same-sex school, others wanted the option of a co-education.
Three P&Cs are getting behind an online petition including Oatley Public, Oatley West Public and Mortdale Public schools.
“We are meeting with the local MP for Oatley, Mark Coure, in a week’s time,” Ms Grekas said.
“It does not make any sense to have to apply out of area for a high school just down the road.”
A NSW Department of Education spokesperson said parents could still apply out of area for Peakhurst High School, but there was no guarantee of being accepted.
The spokesperson said that option was available for families in the catchment zones for Penshurst Girls and Hurstville Boys campuses.
“Applications for out-of-area enrolments are processed through the college’s out-of-area enrolment procedures. This occurs after local enrolments are accepted.”
The department did not confirm whether or not a review was being carried out for zoning in the area.
For more information about school zoning and to see what zone you are in (and what school your child is eligible to attend) click here.
