Balgowlah Boys set to have its highest number of students since the 1970s
It’s the northern beaches school that is booming in popularity. Next year Northern Beach Secondary College Balgowlah Boys Campus is set to have five more teachers, three new classrooms and 60 students more than its average intake. Here’s why.
FIVE more teachers will be employed and three new classrooms built to cater for a Year 7 student boom at Northern Beach Secondary College Balgowlah Boys Campus next year.
Principal Paul Sheather told the Manly Daily the school was adjusting for 60 new students more than the average intake of 200 students in 2017 and 2018.
The spike was a result of students succeeding in NAPLAN and HSC exams and tailoring the curriculum to student needs, said Mr Sheather, who joined the school in 2009.
“When I first arrived the focus was to build literacy and numeracy skills among students by ensuring the curriculum was designed for boys,” Mr Sheather said.
“What that means is we tailored it so they were able to read articles and books they liked, such as sci-fi and specific Shakespeare that appealed — and was important — to them.
“We altered the length of periods to ensure they had the opportunity to have a range of activities throughout the day, which catered for attention spans.”
As a result of the Year 7 enrolments, student numbers in the new year are estimated to be 1050 — the biggest student population since the 1970s.
Mr Sheather said the school’s growth was on track to reach 1200 by 2020.
“There are obviously challenges with having an increase of student numbers — in terms of classrooms and having enough space for the boys to move around and exercise in,” he said.
“To cater for this, we have five new teachers starting next year — we’re still recruiting for one — and three new classrooms at A block.
“They’re in the construction phase and will be ready by Christmas.”
Mr Sheather said the classrooms included a new science laboratory, an old bus bay being enclosed and two interior walls being demolished for more space.
There will also be a pedestrian crossing installed on Maretimo St from the school’s main gates to ensure students can cross the road safely, he said.
“Our teachers will still be volunteering to supervise the boys getting on and off buses before and after school — to make sure there are no problems with traffic and that there is a smooth transition into having a larger school,” Mr Sheather said.
“We are so proud to have such great support from the community during this exciting time, and it’s incredible to think the hard work our of teachers has resulted in this growth.
“The demand shows parents are trusting our school to take charge of the future of our sons — and that’s a wonderful thing.”
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