Aseparate legal challenge is also underway to block the co-ed move,with a group of parents sending a letter to the council late last year arguing the move was contrary to the school’s trust,which was established in 1873.
The legal challenge is being supported by a group called Save Newington College which has established a “for purpose trust … to take on the decision by Newington to go co-ed”.
Newington College plans to become a fully co-educational school by 2033.Credit:Kate Geraghty
“A bank account has now also been established … to begin collecting your generous pledges,” the Save Newington group’s website says.
McDonald also sent a letter to the ONU early this week outlining detailed reasons behind the decision to go co-ed.
“Becoming larger and co-educational builds on the college’s traditions of inclusivity to better prepare students for the evolving demands of the future and best protect the school’s long-term sustainability,” he said.
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A survey of alumni found 44 per cent of respondents believed co-education would go against the tradition and culture of the school,while a third said there was a risk Newington could be removed from the AAGPS.
McDonald said six development zones had been identified on the inner-west campus for new classrooms,co-curricular facilities and amenities,noting the college was also planning the construction of a new building,and had approval for a new car park and sporting facilities. One former school council member has costed theco-ed campus upgrade at $70 million.
Earlier this month,the principal of another inner-west school,the all-girls PLC Sydney in Croydon,reaffirmed to parents that their daughters would not play against coeducational schools in sports competitions.
“The independent school competition for girls (IGSA) is an already full and productive competition. I wanted local parents to be aware of this,” PLC’s principal Paul Burgis told the Herald.
In a separate letter sent to PLC parents when Newington first flagged co-ed plans,Burgis said he believed a successful co-educational school “needs to have a majority female population”.
“I hold this view because in your average group of boys,some will be likely to take on the role of gaining attention by acting counter to what the class is trying to achieve,” he said.
“I think schools like Newington and Cranbrook will really struggle to achieve an even number of boys and girls in their schools,let alone a majority position.”
Principal at inner-west all-girls school PLC Sydney,Paul Burgis,has weighed in on the decision by neighbouring Newington College to become fully co-educational.
Burgis said while there were no plans for his school to consider going co-ed,the school “enjoys positive relations with many boys’ schools and welcome them on campus for debating,theatre production,book reading and music”.
Newington,which has 2050 students enrolled this year,plans to increase student numbers from 250 to 300 students in all secondary grades. The school lifted fees by 10 per cent this year to $43,000 for year 12.