Freshwater Senior Campus students have walked out in protest against plans to expand their school to include Years 7-10, arguing that the move will dismantle a highly successful senior learning model.
The demonstration, held Friday morning, 21 February, was the latest growing backlash that now includes a parent-led legal challenge to halt the changes.
Protest Erupts as Government Pushes Ahead with Expansion
The NSW Department of Education announced plans in December to transform Freshwater Senior Campus from a Years 11-12 only school into a full Year 7-12 high school. The decision was made to increase co-educational public school options in the Northern Beaches.
While some in the local Curl Curl North Public School community have welcomed the change, Freshwater Senior Campus students, parents, and teachers argue that this move will dismantle one of the most successful senior education models in the state.
On Friday morning, hundreds of students gathered outside the school gates on Harbord Road in a peaceful but firm demonstration, calling on Education Minister Prue Car to halt or delay the expansion. Many held signs expressing their frustration, while student leaders emphasised that the protest was about preserving a learning environment that has benefited generations of students.
Legal Battle Begins as Parents Raise Funds for Court Challenge
Beyond student activism, the opposition has now escalated to legal action. A group of parents launched a campaign to support a court challenge against the decision. Organisers aim to raise $20,000 to fund legal representation, arguing that the Department of Education failed to conduct proper consultation before making the changes official.
Freshwater Senior Campus was established 20 years ago to address declining public school enrolments on the Northern Beaches. Since then, it has been widely praised for its academic success, attracting students from both private and public schools due to its focused senior learning model.
Consultation Process Under Fire
Parents and students alike question the legitimacy of the Department of Education’s consultation process.
Mother Liz Nable, whose child attends Freshwater, believes there are better ways to increase co-educational access without dismantling a high-performing school.
Meanwhile, school captain Sophie Rawstorne claimed she never received any consultation materials about the proposal despite the department stating that students were given a chance to provide feedback.
Parent Julie Steele echoed the concerns, stating that the consultation was framed as a general discussion on co-education rather than an opportunity to debate whether Freshwater should be converted into a 7-12 school. Public consultation results also show that academic performance ranked higher than co-education as a priority for Northern Beaches families.
Despite the student walkout and growing legal challenge, the state has not shown any signs of backing down. While Education Minister Prue Car has not directly responded to the latest protests, a spokesperson reaffirmed their commitment to providing co-educational options and stated that officials would continue engaging with families throughout the transition.
Published 21-February-2025
