The Shire and St George’s fastest growing schools revealed
The St George and Sutherland Shire schools where student numbers are booming have been revealed. SEE HOW YOUR SCHOOL RATED.
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The St George and Sutherland Shire schools that are booming have been revealed.
An analysis of federal government data has revealed the St George and Sutherland Shire region schools where student numbers have risen the most in the past five years.
Between 2013 and 2018 enrolment at Cronulla Public School has increased by 83.5 per cent, faster than any other school in the region.
The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority figures are the most up to date enrolment numbers that include all state and private schools nationally.
According to the latest public data that includes public and private schools, student numbers have grown from 224 to 411, the fastest growth in the region.
The second fastest growing school was Arncliffe West Infants School, where the student body increased by 65.7 between 2013 and 2018. Enrolment numbers grew from 70 in 2013 to 116 in 2018.
Liz Mattiuzzo’ eldest son Blake, 14, started at Cronulla Public School in 2013 as the school’s population boom began before her younger children Noah, 10, and Sienna, eight followed.
“Principal Peter Banks gave us a personalised tour and explained some of the reasons why the school had recently won an Outstanding School Achievement Award in NSW, programs which we got to experience,” Mrs Mattiuzzo said.
“These included having a dedicated art teacher, a dedicated high school science teacher, one-to-one iPads and an exchange program with Wellington Public School.”
Blake, a quiet child from a school with a strong academic focus, thrived under Mr Banks’ leadership.
“Mr Banks went up to Blake and apparently introduced himself and my son was so impressed that a principal he had never met knew his name,” she said/
“He also came home not long afterwards and told me he really liked sport because the teachers took the time to explain the rules.”
Blake even attended NSW’s first international study tour for primary school children with Cronulla Public School, travelling to Shanghai, Beijing and Xi’an for two weeks when he was in Year 5.
He also travelled to Wellington Public School near Dubbo with his classmates.
“The kids talk and dress differently and many have never seen the beach but the schools still enjoy bringing the kids together,” Mrs Mattiuzzo said.
“It is a five-day camp, with a night spent at Jenolan Caves, a visit to Scenic World, a working farm, gold panning at Bathurst, a sleepover at Dubbo Zoo and two nights spent at Wellington Public School which includes a school camp.”
Mrs Mattiuzzo also praised the school’s energetic teachers and extra-curricular activities.
“My son Noah plays trombone in the school band and enjoys the boys hip hop group, Sienna does the Year 2 dance group and Blake surprised me by doing the boys dance group and Dancesport ballroom dancing when he was in Year 5,” she said.
“The art program is still going strong, the kids bring home a beautiful dossier at the end of the year – Noah was fortunate enough to have his art piece displayed at Hazelhurst.”
Mrs Mattiuzzo also said her children had benefited from personalised approaches, led by the school’s executive and teachers.
“I was really concerned when Noah started school as he was delayed, and he is now thriving,” she said.
“Sienna is more like Blake, academically bright and her teachers always have individualised goals for her and I find this so reassuring as they know her well and what she needs to thrive and not get bored.”
Schools with fastest growth between 2013 and 2018
Cronulla Public School: 83.5 per cent change
Arncliffe West Infants School: 65.7 per cent change
Bonnet Bay Public School: 61.0 per cent change
Marist Catholic College Penshurst: 58.5 per cent change
Cronulla High School: 48.1 per cent change
Hurstville Adventist School: 47.0 per cent change
Como Public School: 44.4 per cent change
Al Zahra College: 43.9 per cent change
Kyeemagh Infants School: 40.5 per cent change