Tasmanian Education: Fastest growing schools revealed for 2023

Tasmania’s fastest growing schools – and the ones going backwards – have been revealed. See the full lists and find out where your child’s school sits.

Tasmania’s fastest growing schools, and those in decline, have been revealed.

Tasmania’s fastest growing schools – and the ones going backwards – have been revealed.

An analysis of federal government data has revealed every Tasmanian school’s student enrolment trajectory over the past five years – exposing where student numbers have risen and declined the most.

Cape Barren Island School in Cape Barren Island is Tasmania’s fastest growing school, with enrolments increasing by 100 per cent in the five years from 2018 to 2022.

The second fastest growing school was North West Christian School in Penguin with a 93 per cent change, while Channel Christian School in Margate recorded the third biggest change with a 91 per cent increase.

Meanwhile, the analysis also highlighted the Tasmania region’s schools in decline with Australian Christian College - Burnie in Somerset recording a 71 per cent drop over five years.

Westerway Primary School in Westerway was the second school going backwards for enrolment with a 54 per cent drop and Ouse District School in Ouse was the third with a 33 per cent decline.

The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority figures are the most up to date enrolment numbers that include all state and private schools nationally.

Schools with fastest growth between 2018 and 2022:

• Cape Barren Island School: 100 per cent
• North West Christian School: 93 per cent
• Channel Christian School: 91 per cent
• Hilliard Christian School: 90 per cent
• Cosgrove High School: 88 per cent
• Launceston Big Picture School: 76 per cent
• Tamar Valley Steiner School: 75 per cent
• Devonport Christian School: 62 per cent
• Eastside Lutheran College: 60 per cent
• Bayview Secondary College: 53 per cent

Schools in decline 2018-2022:

• Australian Christian College - Burnie: 71 per cent
• Westerway Primary School: 54 per cent
• Ouse District School: 33 per cent
• Geeveston Primary School: 31 per cent
• West Ulverstone Primary School: 28 per cent
• Yolla District School: 27 per cent
• Nixon Street Primary School: 27 per cent
• Orford Primary School: 27 per cent
• Lambert School: 27 per cent
• St Peter Chanel Catholic School: 26 per cent

North West Christian School principal Brayden Morton said he believes the reason the school had seen the big increase in enrolments was because of its community focus.

“We definitely have more students in our classrooms and playground,” Mr Morton said.

“It really is a result of the school’s focus on putting programs in place to ensure our local community is looked after.

North West Christian School principal Brayden Morton. Picture: supplied.

“From that, word is passed around about our school and the community recognises the work going in here.”

With the school boasting an outdoor education program, use of student voices and restorative practices, and what Mr Morton believes is one of the “best music programs in the state”, he said the impact of community recognition and reputation shouldn’t be disregarded.

“While the northwest region may grow, the school’s enrolment has only grown because our school has put ourselves forward as a quality option in the region as a great educator,” he said.