No decision yet on new co-educational high school in central Hobart

Three years ago the State Government pledged to investigate opening a new high school in Hobart and set aside $300,000 for planning. Now, they’ve delivered an update on the plans.

THE State Government remains undecided on a new co-educational public high school for Hobart, three years on from a pledge to investigate a new school.

The State Government announced in 2017 it was considering a new high school in central Hobart and had set aside $300,000 for infrastructure planning. The new school was being considered because of “massive growth” of inner-city schools, particularly Taroona.

A feasibility study completed last year found a new high school in the inner city “would not necessarily resolve capacity pressures in Hobart schools, specifically Taroona”.

In response to an inquiry from the Mercury on the status of a new high school, a spokesman for the Education Department said investigations were continuing into education provision across the Hobart area.

New Town High School. Picture: EDDIE SAFARIK

“Ogilvie and New Town High are expanding their co-education offering in the context of their extension to Years 11 and 12 and the Hobart City Partner Schools arrangement they have developed with Elizabeth College,” the spokesman said.

“The partnership formed as Hobart City Partner Schools is a collaboration with New Town and Ogilvie high schools and Elizabeth College to provide individualised and highly supported pathways for Years 7-12.

“In 2020, Ogilvie and New Town are offering 13 co-education courses to Years 9 and 10 students and are working to expand this offering in 2021 and beyond.

“The Hobart City Partner Schools are currently working to imagine what the future of co-education provision might look like across the three campuses and whether this partnership will be part of the solution to enrolment pressures and to inner-city high school provision. Next steps will include targeted consultation.”

The Tasmanian Association of State School Organisations has expressed anger at a lack of consultation over the mixed classes.

Meanwhile, plans for the new $30 million Brighton high school are progressing, with the Government acquiring a 10 hectare site in Elderslie Rd.

An Education Department spokesman said work was under way to commence a tender process for design consultancy services for the project.

Construction is due to start in 2022.