“We get to create a new school”: New principal selected for Hobart City High

Two all-girls and all-boys high schools will merge next year, and now a new principal has been appointed to guide students through the changes. MEET THE NEW LEADER >>

THE first principal of Hobart’s new co-ed high school says she feels honoured to lead the transition when all-girls Ogilvie High and all-boys New Town High merge next year.

Deb Day has been appointed lead principal of Hobart City High School, which will be spread across the two campuses from February.

“It’s very exciting, we get to create a new school,” Ms Day said.

“It’s a moment in history where we bring the old cultures together to create a new culture.”

Hobart City High School new lead principal, Deb Day with year 8 students Freya Smith and Daniel Reynolds. At Ogilvie High School. Picture Eddie Safarik

Ms Day said there would be about 1200 students across the two campuses.

“The school becomes one large school instead of two smaller schools so we have to make sure our communication and our clarity of purpose is clear,” she said.

“We’ve got to make sure we’re gender inclusive on both sites in terms of our teaching and pedagogy.”

In the first year of the transition, co-ed Year 7 students will be based at the Ogilvie campus, joined by Year 8, Year 9 and Year 10 girls, while Year 8, Year 9 and Year 10 boys will be on the New Town campus.

In 2023, both schools will fully operate as co-ed campuses, with years 7 and 8 on the Ogilvie side and years 9 and 10 on the New Town High side.

“We had a very successful orientation day last week where we had 250 co-ed students on site and the feedback was incredibly positive,” Ms Day said.

“They’re happy to have the opposite gender on the same campus as them.”

Ms Day said she felt ready to take on the job.

Hobart City High School's new logo. Pic: supplied.

“I’m very exited to be part of this journey,” she said.

“Previous to this role I was the school improvement leader for lots of high schools in the south and previous to that, a principal at Rosny College, and previous to that a principal in Queensland.

“I think having a co-ed high school is something Hobart has been looking for quite some time, there’s been a lot of consultation to get to this point.

“I feel absolutely honoured to be able to lead a brand new school in such an environment; it’s an exciting opportunity.”

Education Minister Sarah Courtney said Ms Day was appointed following a national recruitment process, and would bring a wealth of experience to the role.

She said there would also be campus principals at both New Town High and Ogilvie sites.

“The school will build on the proud heritage and traditions of Ogilvie and New Town high schools and will continue to foster a close partnership with Elizabeth College to deliver pathways for students from Years 7-12,” Ms Courtney said.