Fairfield schools among the fastest growing

An analysis of federal government data has revealed the Western Sydney region schools where student numbers have risen the most in the past five years.

Buddhist monk Bhante Jason Chan with Pal Buddhist school students Alicia May, 16, Kimsear Park, 10, Stella Pearce, 13, and Anael Kumar, 13. Picture: Matthew Vasilescu

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Cecil Park’s Irfan College and Canley Vale’s Pal Buddhist School are respectively the second and third fastest growing in Western Sydney, according Federal Government data.

Irfan College, a coeducational Islamic primary school, has grown from a class of 28 to about 248 students in the five years from 2013 – representing an increase of more than 490.5 per cent.

Pal Buddhist School, known for being Australia’s first Buddhist secondary school, increased enrolments by 65 students – a rise of 325 per cent.

Tutor Dr Min Zhao Lee, a doctor at RPA Hospital, teaching students at Pal Buddhist School.

Irfan College could not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Panha Pal, the founding principal of Pal Buddhist School, said the surge in the school’s enrolments stem from its unique approach to education.

“Our school this year is six times larger in student enrolments than it was in 2013,” he said.

“Parents are realising that doing well in exams (is) not enough … our students are taught the most important lesson on how to understand the inner working of their very complex mind.

“We have had students leaving high ranking selective schools in Sydney to come to our school, and students … travelling all the way from Hornsby, Double Bay, and Maroubra, to attend.”

The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority figures are the most up to date enrolment numbers that include all state and private schools nationally.

Both Fairfield City schools were founded in 2013 and have grown from relatively modest enrolment numbers.

The school with the most growth was Oran Park Anglican College. Its enrolments surged from 70 to 543 over the same five year period – a rise of 675.7 per cent.

FASTEST GROWTH SCHOOLS: 2013 TO 2018

• Oran Park Anglican College: 675.7 per cent change
• Irfan College, Cecil Park: 490.5 per cent change
• Pal Buddhist School, Canley Vale: 325.0 per cent change
• Western Grammar School, Plumpton: 283.8 per cent change
• St Benedict’s Catholic College, Oran Park: 270.5 per cent change
• Warakirri College, Fairfield: 261.5 per cent change
• Wilton Public School: 230.9 per cent change
• Al Hikma College: 182.9 per cent change
• Alpha Omega Senior College, Auburn: 176.1 per cent change
• Bellfield College, Rossmore: 157.1 per cent change