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Central Coast’s fastest growing schools

The fastest growing schools across the Central Coast have been revealed? Does your school make the list?

The fastest growing schools across the Central Coast have been revealed. Picture: Sue Graham
The fastest growing schools across the Central Coast have been revealed. Picture: Sue Graham

The Central Coast schools that are booming have been revealed.

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

Between 2013 and 2018 enrolment at Central Coast Sports College, formerly the International Football and Tennis School, increased by 206.8 per cent, faster than any other school in the region.

The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) 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 at the Kariong school had grown from 117 to 359, the fastest growth in the region.

The second fastest growing school was Macdonald Valley Public School, where the student body increased by 200.0 between 2013 and 2018. Enrolment numbers grew from 5 in 2013 to 15 in 2018. MacDonald Valley Public School, located in Central Macdonald, takes in students from Upper Macdonald, Ten Mile Hollow and down to Wisemans Ferry.

During the five year period, ET Australia Secondary College had the third biggest enrolment boom in the area with 85 more students at the school in 2018 than in 2013 — a 139.3 per cent increase.

Central Coast Sports College has undergone major changes, rebranding itself last year and launching a new netball program. The momentum continued this year, with announcements of a rugby league and union program.

Rugby star Mahalia Murphy was announced as the Central Coast Sports College’s rugby union ambassador.
Rugby star Mahalia Murphy was announced as the Central Coast Sports College’s rugby union ambassador.

Principal Paul Chapman said the new name aimed to reflect what the school was doing with the variety of sporting programs and educational approaches on offer.

“At the heart of it, what’s unique about us is we do something a bit alternative while still addressing the mainstream,” Mr Chapman said.

“One unique aspect is we provide lunch. The students in K-2 do 20 different sports whether they love soccer or tennis. If your belief is that students should be active you will find our approaches appealing.”

He said the junior school had adopted the Walker Learning pedagogy which was seeing amazing results among students.

There has been significant growth in many schools across the coast.
There has been significant growth in many schools across the coast.

Central Coast Sports College recently became the first independent school in NSW to launch the Big Picture program for Years 9-12, which helps students discover life passions through internships.

“The school is not just for kids who love sport, there’s so much more on offer,” Mr Chapman said.

He said the school is currently at 380 students, with expectations of growing to around 450 next year.

FASTEST GROWTH SCHOOLS: 2013 TO 2018

Central Coast Sports College (formerly the International Football and Tennis School): 206.8 per cent change

Macdonald Valley Public School: 200.0 per cent change

ET Australia Secondary College: 139.3 per cent change

Wyong Creek Public School: 55.6 per cent change

Tacoma Public School: 52.1 per cent change

Pretty Beach Public School: 46.0 per cent change

North Gosford Learning Centre: 45.0 per cent change

Wyoming Public School: 34.9 per cent change

Killarney Vale Public School: 32.4 per cent change

Tuggerawong Public School: 25.8 per cent change

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/central-coast/central-coasts-fastest-growing-schools/news-story/34a4b5ea59eecb04962b4d812c483500