Girls will 'lose out' if Canberra Catholic school becomes co-ed, students say
The idea for St Clare's College to start taking in boys has led to opposition from some students and parents, but those behind the idea say it's necessary due to the lack of space for a new school in the ACT.
Students at St Clare's College, a Catholic school for girls, are strongly opposed to the proposal of making the school co-ed, arguing that it's the single-sex environment that makes the institution special. The single-sex model allows girls to thrive in subjects dominated by men, such as physical education and design and emerging technologies.
The proposal is one of three options being considered to address the demand for Catholic education in the ACT, following a survey indicating a need for more co-educational secondary options in the south side of Canberra. The Catholic Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn Education Limited (CACGEL) has suggested the possibility of expanding existing school sites, repurposing land, or even purchasing land in New South Wales, but no decision has been made yet.
Parents, including Leigh Southwell whose daughters attend St Clare's, expressed disappointment and concern over the potential loss of a single-sex education. However, CACGEL's executive director, David de Carvalho, emphasized the need to plan responsibly for the future and respond to families' desire for a Catholic education for their children, promising to consult with the community before making any changes.
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