Elizabeth College could be merged with Hobart City High School following government-led review

It’s been educating students for more than a century but an iconic Tasmanian college could soon be merged with a Hobart high school that opened its doors just last year.

Elizabeth College, Hobart.

Elizabeth College could be merged with Hobart City High School after the state government commissioned an advisory firm to chart a course forward for the two schools, sparking fears that it could herald “the death of all of the colleges” in Tasmania.

Hobart City High School (HCHS) was established last year with the merger of Ogilvie High School and New Town High School. Elizabeth College (EC), meanwhile, was founded as Elizabeth Street School in 1911 and became known as Elizabeth College in 1985.

HCHS and EC formed a “Partner Schools partnership” in 2021, with the two schools working together to provide students with pathways to employment, training or higher education.

A review of the HCHS operating model is primarily considering two options for the future: combining HCHS and EC to operate as one school on three campuses or maintaining the status quo.

The Rockliff government has paid about $50,000 to a Tasmanian consulting business, 3P Advisory, to conduct the review.

Former Elizabeth College teacher Deborah Beswick. Picture: Chris Kidd

But former EC teacher, Deborah Beswick, who worked at the school for 19 years and was in charge of science courses, has serious misgivings about the public consultation process.

“Tasmania doesn’t have the resources to have [years] 11 and 12 on top of every high school. Because we’ve got a very small population. And that’s one of the reasons why the colleges started in the first place,” she said.

“When you carry this through to the logical conclusion, it means the death of all of the colleges because the plan is to put [years] 11 and 12 on top of all high schools.”

Dr Beswick acknowledged that the government’s Year 11 and 12 extension policy did benefit students “in more isolated areas” but said it was not a one-size-fits-all model.

“The whole spectrum of students has been able to be catered for [at EC] … There’s not bullying, it’s just a really supportive, good community.”

Hobart City High School – Ogilvie Campus. Picture: Chris Kidd

Australian Education Union (AEU) Tasmania deputy president Laura Russell said the state’s college system “must not be compromised”.

“Teachers are concerned that the current approach to consultation does not provide college teachers and staff a strong enough say,” she said.

“A forced merger would only serve to drive out teachers in the middle of a teacher shortage crisis in Tasmania.”

Education, Children and Youth Minister Roger Jaensch said the review was focused on achieving “the best learning outcomes and opportunities for students”.

“Feedback and input was sought from a wide group of stakeholders, including school staff, students, families, school associations, non-government schools, the AEU and the wider Hobart community,” he said.

Mr Jaensch said the government would be “guided by the input of stakeholder voice and feedback” when it came time to consider the findings of the review and make a decision.

3P’s final report is expected to be completed by the end of October.