Elizabeth College and Hobart City High School will not merge

The state government has gone cold on the idea of merging Elizabeth College and Hobart City High School. Here’s why.

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

Elizabeth College and Hobart City High School will continue as separate entities, with the state government accepting strong feedback against a merger.

The state government had commissioned a report into the high school and college’s structure, in light of the Liberals’ policy to extend all Tasmanian high schools to year 12.

On Wednesday Minister for Education, Children and Youth, Roger Jaensch said the Government had reviewed the 3P Advisory report into the future operating model for the schools and accepted a clear majority of those consulted preferred the separate model.

“The 3P Advisory report found there was overwhelming support for Hobart City High School (HCHS) and Elizabeth College (EC) to remain as separate entities but to continue to operate in partnership,” Mr Jaensch said.

“This also means Hobart City High School will continue to deliver more Years 11 and 12 subjects that meet the needs of their students and the government’s commitments.

“The findings from the consultation were overwhelmingly in favour of this proposal and we thank those involved in expressing their wishes and sentiments so clearly.”

Elizabeth College won’t be merged with Hobart City High School.

3P Advisory consulted school staff, students, families, school associations, non-government schools, the AEU and the wider Hobart community.

The report found while some stakeholders thought a merger would streamline administrative processes and improve the educational journey, the majority argued against a merger.

Main concerns included logistical challenges of travelling across campuses; that the absence of a transition to college could inhibit personal growth and the psychological benefits of a “fresh start”; a more insular student body which could reduce diversity; and varying maturity levels which could disrupt the focus of senior students.

Mr Jaensch said the government wanted the best learning outcomes and opportunities for students.

EC, founded as Elizabeth Street School in 1911, has a “Partner Schools partnership” with HCHS, which was established in 2022 and resulted from a merger of New Town and Ogilvie high schools.

The college and school each co-ordinate Years 11 and 12 subjects on their respective sites.

The Australian Education Union had opposed a possible merger, saying EC staff were already struggling with teacher shortages, unsustainable workloads, and a series of disruptive changes.

AEU Tasmania deputy president Laura Russell welcomed the decision not to merge the schools.

“We are really pleased with the outcome and the fact that the report has been released and people can see what the stakeholder position really was,” she said.

Ms Russell said members remained concerned about how funding was being allocated in schools.

“We’re particularly concerned that the urban high schools have had a significant amount of resources put into them to extend them to year 11 and 12, when those resources are better put into early intervention,” she said.