Plan to open selective schools to all Hornsby students

STUDENTS across Hornsby may have automatic access to selective schools in the shire if a campaign by Hornsby state Liberal MP Matt Kean is successful.

Vivienne Xu, Elizabeth Gosbell, Olivia Kong, Vicky Kuo, Katherine Du. Hornsby Girls High School is one of the most successful schools in the state.

STUDENTS across Hornsby may have automatic access to selective schools in the shire if a campaign by Hornsby state Liberal MP Matt Kean is successful.

For several months, residents, in conjunction with the Advocate’s Schools for Hornsby campaign, have pleaded with the State Government to increase access to schools.

Mr Kean is calling on Education Minister Rob Stokes to support the campaign, which would see Hornsby Girls’ High School and Normanhurst Boys’ High School become open to all students in the shire.

Normanhurst Boys High School studentsSam Prince; Nathan Bleier, NSW Education Minister, Rob Stokes, Tom Gilbert; Anish Malish.

“We need to have opportunities for local kids to attend local schools,” Mr Kean said. “I don’t think it’s right that local kids must walk past a local selective school which is closed to them.

“I am concerned by the idea that has developed that all the smart kids go to the selective schools and the other comprehensive schools are not for smart kids.”

Jane Jaggs, from Dangar Island, is calling for a local co-ed high school, as students currently have to travel to Ku-ring-gai High, in Nth Turramurra, to go to their local public high school. Picture: Peter Clark

Shocking statistics revealed that of the 728 students at Hornsby Girls’ High just 133 of them live within the Hornsby electorate, while just 101 of the 757 students at Normanhurst Boys live within the electorate.

“I want the minister to use our community as a pilot,” Mr Kean said. “To give Hornsby families more choice when it comes to the education of their children.

“I don’t want to see a perception form in our public education system that not all students get the same opportunities.”

Liberal Member for Hornsby Matt Kean has revealed a plan . (AAP Image/Joel Carrett)

“We need to have public schools that are inclusive of everyone — rather than deliberately separate children on the basis that some are gifted and talented and others are not.”

Education Minister Rob Stokes said: “Matt Kean has been very clear on behalf of his community that he wants more opportunities for local kids to attend the great selective public schools in Hornsby.”

Residents of Hornsby are calling for a new coeducational high school for the region. After years rallying to see one developed. L-R: Abigail Boyd 9, Lily Rickwood 11, Aaron Casslick 6, Olivia Boyd 11 and Shontelle Peak 7. Picture: Adam Ward

Under the selective schools scheme, students must complete a test which provides a school placement score out of 300. The minimum entry score requirement for Hornsby Girls’ High School is 213, while the minimum score for Normanhurst Boys is 211.

There were also demands for a new school as part of the campaign, with calls for a co-educational high school.