High School For Coburg Survey Report October 2009

High School for Coburg
Survey Report 2009
Prepared by Communications, Research & Citizens Service Branch, Moreland City Council October 2009
For further information please contact:
Catherine Hall 03 9354 3053 or Morena Milani 03 9025 0839, High School for Coburg or visit
www.highschoolforcoburg.org
Robyn Mitchell, Senior Research Officer, Moreland City Council, 03 9240 2365
CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................................................................3

METHODOLOGY .........................................................................................................4
DEMOGRAPHICS .........................................................................................................5
SUBURB .........................................................................................................................5
NUMBER OF CHILDREN ..................................................................................................5
AGE OF CHILDREN .........................................................................................................6
YEAR AT SCHOOL ..........................................................................................................7
SCHOOLS CURRENTLY ATTENDED......................................................................9
FACTORS REQUIRED IN A SCHOOL ...................................................................11
SENDING CHILDREN TO A LOCAL SCHOOL....................................................13
CONSIDERING MOVING TO IMPROVE HIGH SCHOOL OPTIONS .............14
PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH CURRENT CHOICES ..................................15
APPENDICES ...............................................................................................................17
APPENDIX A: VERBATIM COMMENTS - FACTORS CONSIDERED IN CHOICE OF HIGH
SCHOOL ........................................................................................................................17
APPENDIX B: VERBATIM COMMENTS - PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE CURRENT
CHOICES OF HIGH SCHOOL ............................................................................................23
APPENDIX C: OTHER COMMENTS .................................................................................32
2
High School for Coburg Online Survey Report 2009
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
• The majority of survey respondents were either from Coburg or Coburg North.
Nearly half of all respondents (49.4%) were from Coburg, while a further 22.6%
resided in Coburg North.
• More than half of all respondents (55.9%) had two children. 20% of
respondents had one child, while a further 19.6% had three children and 3.4%
had four children. This gives an estimate of approximately 556 children.
However, 21 children are aged 15 years and older, which gives a total of
approximately 535 school age children.
• 81% of the eldest children are aged 10 years or younger, while only 8% of eldest
children are aged 15 years or older.
• 93.6% of youngest children are aged 10 years or younger, with nearly three-
quarters of youngest children (74%) aged 6 years or younger.
• 87.7% of eldest children are currently in Grade 6 or below. 10.7% of eldest

children are currently at high school, with 1.6% no longer at school or engaged
in tertiary education.
• In contrast, 99% of youngest children are currently in Grade 6 or below, while

only 1% of youngest children are currently at high school.
• 100% of respondents rated the quality of teaching as ‘vital’ or ‘important’, with

87.8% rating it as ‘vital. The range of subjects on offer was also a major factor
with 98% of respondents rating this factor as ‘vital’ or ‘important’.
• When asked whether they would send one or more of their children to quality
all-years secondary school in Coburg if one existed, 96% of respondents said
yes.
• Just over half of all respondents (53%) stated that they were considering moving
to improve their child’s options for a high school.
• In an open-ended question, respondents were asked to identify the problems

associated with their current choices of high school. The main themes that
emerged related to the distance of available schools to the Coburg community,
the lack of quality options, zoning issues with existing options, the lack of
available places at local quality schools (most notably Brunswick Secondary
College and Strathmore Secondary College) and the poor co-educational options
available.
3
METHODOLOGY
The High School for Coburg group conducted a public Question & Answer session at
the Coburg Town Hall on the 19th of August. 82 surveys were completed on the night.
The survey was also available online and distributed around several schools in the
community. A further 183 surveys were completed, giving a total of 265 respondents.
Names were also collected to ensure respondents completed the survey only once.
Survey was open between Saturday 8 August and Sunday 4 October 2009.
Data note
Not applicable and missing data have been excluded from the following analysis. The
number of respondents who provided a valid response, and whose response is included
in the analysis, is shown in figures headings.
4
DEMOGRAPHICS
Suburb
The majority of survey respondents were either from Coburg or Coburg North. Nearly
half of all respondents (49.4%) were from Coburg, while a further 22.6% resided in
Coburg North.
10.2% of respondents were from West Preston, 5.3% from Pascoe Vale and 2.6% from
Pascoe Vale South.
Only 2.3% of respondents were from all Brunswick suburbs (Brunswick, Brunswick
East and Brunswick West).
7.6% were from ‘Other’ suburbs. Within the ‘Other’ category, 35% were from
Fawkner, 25% were from Reservoir/Regent, 15% were from Preston and 10% from
Hadfield. 15% were made up of respondents from a range of other suburbs but
constituted single respondents only.
Figure 1 Suburb of respondents (n=265)
Suburb of respondents
Coburg 49.4%
Coburg North 22.6%
West Preston 10.2%
Pascoe Vale 5.3%
Pascoe Vale South 2.6%
Brunsw ick (incl.

2.3%
East & West)
Other 7.6%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%
Number of Children
More than half of all respondents (55.9%) had two children. 20% of respondents had
one child, while a further 19.6% had three children and 3.4% had four children.
Only 1.2% of respondents had five children or more, with 0.8% having five children
and 0.4% having more than five children.
5
This gives an estimate of approximately 556 children. However, 21 children are aged
15 years and older, which gives a total of approximately 535 school age children.
Figure 2 Number of children of respondents (n=265)
Number of Children
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Three Four More than
One Child Tw o children Five children
children Children five children
Series1 20.0% 55.9% 19.6% 3.4% 0.8% 0.4%
Age of Children
As the chart below illustrates, the majority of respondents have young families.
81% of the eldest children are aged 10 years or younger, while only 8% of eldest
children are aged 15 years or older.
93.6% of youngest children are aged 10 years or younger, with nearly three-quarters of
youngest children (74%) aged 6 years or younger.
6
Figure 3 Age of Eldest and Youngest Child (n=262)
Age Range of Children
15 years and older 0.0%

8.0%
14 years old 0.5%

1.1%
13 years old 0.0%

1.9%
12 years old 2.7%

1.5%
11 years old 3.2%

6.5%
10 years old 2.3%

8.4%
9 years old 2.3%

11.8%
8 years old 7.3%

8.4%
7 years old 7.8%

9.2%
6 years old 9.1%

11.5%
5 years old 8.2%

6.5%
4 years old 11.4%

12.2%
3 years old 11.9%

5.3%
2 years old 11.0%

3.4%
1 year old 13.7%

2.7%
Under 1 year 8.7%

1.5%
0% 2% 4% 6% 8% 10% 12% 14% 16%
Eldest Child Youngest Child
Year at School
87.7% of eldest children are currently in Grade 6 or below. 10.7% of eldest children
are currently at high school, with 1.6% no longer at school or engaged in tertiary
education.
In contrast, 99% of youngest children are currently in Grade 6 or below, while only 1%
of youngest children are currently at high school.
7
Figure 4 Year at School of Eldest and Youngest Child (n=188)
Year at School
No longer at school 0.0%

1.6%
Year 12 0.0%
0.5%
Year 11 0.0%
1.6%
Year 10 0.0%
2.7%
Year 9 0.0%
1.1%
Year 8 0.0%
3.7%
Year 7 1.0%
1.1%
Grade 6 9.9%
3.7%
Grade 5 5.0%
10.1%
Grade 4 5.0%
11.7%
Grade 3 7.9%
20.2%
Grade 2 13.9%
11.2%
Grade 1 16.8%
11.7%
Prep 25.7%
16.5%
Kindergarten 14.9%
2.7%
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30%
Eldest Child Youngest Child
8
SCHOOLS CURRENTLY ATTENDED
Respondents were also asked to identify which schools their children were currently
attending. The responses have been divided into Kinders and Pre-schools, Primary
Schools and High Schools.
Numbers of children for schools attended is significantly lower than the estimated total
number of children of respondents. This is likely the result of the large proportion of
children aged 6 years and under. Consequently, the small numbers of children for
kinders, pre-schools and high schools means percentages should be considered
indicative only.
Figure 5 Schools currently attended (n=223)

Kinders & Pre-schools No. %
Newlands kinder 9 42.9%
Doris Blackburn kinder 4 19.0%
Turner Street kinder 3 14.3%
TRY Kinder Coburg 1 4.8%
Pascoe Vale South Uniting Church pre-school 1 4.8%
North West Brunswick kinder 1 4.8%
Lake Park kinder 1 4.8%
Gower Street kinder (Preston) 1 4.8%
21 100%
Primary Schools
Coburg PS 47 23.6%
Coburg West PS 33 16.6%
Preston West PS 33 16.6%
St Marks PS 26 13.1%
Bell PS 11 5.5%
East Brunswick PS 5 2.5%
Brunswick North PS 5 2.5%
St Pauls PS 5 2.5%
Pascoe Vale North PS 4 2.0%
Coburg North PS 4 2.0%
St Oliver Plunketts PS 3 1.5%
St Bernard's PS 3 1.5%
Newlands PS 3 1.5%
Brunswick South PS 3 1.5%
St Fidelis PS 2 1.0%
Pascoe Vale South PS 2 1.0%
Pascoe Vale PS 2 1.0%
Moreland PS 2 1.0%
Strathmore PS 1 0.5%
St Vincent de Paul PS 1 0.5%
St Margaret Mary's 1 0.5%
Spensley Street PS 1 0.5%
Merri Creek PS 1 0.5%
Brunswick North West PS 1 0.5%
199 100%
9
High Schools No. %
Northcote HS 4 16.7%
Mercy College 3 12.5%
Brunswick Secondary College 3 12.5%
St Joseph's College 2 8.3%
Pascoe Vale GHS 2 8.3%
Parade College (Bundoora) 2 8.3%
Victoria College of the Arts (secondary) 1 4.2%
University High School 1 4.2%
Strathmore Secondary College 1 4.2%
Princes Hill Secondary College 1 4.2%
Penola College 1 4.2%
Northland Secondary College 1 4.2%
Footscray City College 1 4.2%
Essendon Grammar 1 4.2%
24 100%
10
FACTORS REQUIRED IN A SCHOOL
Respondents were then asked to rate the importance of five factors in their choice of
high school. These factors were: within walking distance; access to public transport;
the quality of teaching; the range of subjects on offer; and, that it is part of the
respondent’s community.
As the chart below illustrates, 100% of respondents rated the quality of teaching as
‘vital’ or ‘important’, with 87.8% rating it as ‘vital’. The range of subjects on offer was
also a major factor with 98% of respondents rating this factor as ‘vital’ or ‘important’.
The least important factor was that the school was within walking distance from the
respondent’s home. However, this factor was still considered ‘vital’ or ‘important’ by
70.6% of respondents.
Figure 6 Importance of factors in choice of high school (n=255)
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Easily Range of
Quality of Part of your
Walking distance accessible by subjects on
teaching community
public transport offer
Vital 16.5% 42.8% 87.8% 69.3% 55.6%

Important 54.1% 46.0% 12.2% 28.7% 37.3%
Neutral 18.4% 8.0% 0.0% 1.6% 5.6%
Not very important 8.2% 2.4% 0.0% 0.4% 1.6%
Not at all important 2.7% 0.8% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%
Next, in an open-ended question, respondents were asked to identify all the main factors
that they would consider in their choice of high school. Responses were then coded
into the main themes and are presented in the chart below. Responses coded ‘Other’
comprised a range of factors identified by only one respondent in the survey.
The factors cited most commonly reflected the broad themes identified above.
However, several important new themes emerged. The need to maintain existing social
networks and friendships that children had developed throughout primary school was
identified by 14% of all respondents.
11
12.2% of respondents wanted a school to encourage an environment that embraced
diversity. This included diversity of ethnicity or cultural background, socio-economic
status, and sexual orientation. Respondents highlighted that this aspect was a defining
feature of the community and that a high school in Coburg should reflect that.
Safety, discipline and co-educational opportunities were other strong themes.
The verbatim responses are included in full in Appendix A.
Figure 7 Factors considered in choice of high school (n=168)
Quality teaching 25.0%

Good range of subjects 22.6%
Close location 22.0%
Part of the community 21.3%
Good range of extra curricular activities 18.3%
Children can maintain social netw orks 14.0%
Environment that embraces diversity 12.2%
Safe environment 10.4%
Excellent academic results 9.8%
Good facilities 9.1%
Strong support systems 8.5%
Disciplined atmosphere 8.5%
Co-educational 6.7%
Caters for different abilities 6.1%
Strong leadership in school 5.5%
Strong parental support 5.5%
Good reputation 5.5%
Accessible by public transport 4.9%
Well resourced 4.9%
Not too large 3.7%
Access to trade subjects 2.4%
Uniforms 2.4%
Non-religious option 1.8%
Other 21.3%
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30%

% of respondents
NB: As respondents could identify multiple factors influencing their choice, totals do not add up to 100%
12
SENDING CHILDREN TO A LOCAL
SCHOOL
Respondents were then asked whether they would send one or more of their children to
quality all-years secondary school in Coburg if one existed.
An overwhelming 96% of respondents said they would send their children to a high
school in Coburg.
Figure 8 Whether respondents would send their children to a high school in Coburg (n=251)
Yes
96%
No
4%
Cross tabulations of results by suburb show that 100% of respondents in Coburg North
and Pascoe Vale would support a school in Coburg. Most other suburbs showed strong
support for a high school. Respondents least likely to support a school in Coburg were
residents of Brunswick with only 50% support.
Of those respondents coded as ‘Other’, a high school in Coburg received 100% support
from respondents who resided in Preston, Fawkner, Bundoora and Fitzroy, with support
at 50% and above from other suburbs.
Figure 9 Whether respondents would send their children to a high school in Coburg by suburb
(n=251)
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
Pascoe Vale Brunsw ick
Coburg Coburg North West Preston Pascoe Vale Other
South (incl. East &
Yes 97.5% 100.0% 92.3% 100.0% 85.7% 50.0% 90.0%

No 2.5% 0.0% 7.7% 0.0% 14.3% 50.0% 10.0%
13
CONSIDERING MOVING TO IMPROVE
HIGH SCHOOL OPTIONS
Respondents were also asked whether they were considering moving house to improve
the high school options for your child(ren).
Just over half of all respondents (53%) stated that they were considering moving, while
47% said they were not.
Figure 10 Whether respondents were considering moving to improve high school options (n=252)
No
47%
Yes
53%
Cross tabulations of this question by suburb reveals residents in Coburg North were the
most likely to consider moving to enhance high school options for their children. Of
those respondents coded as ‘Other’, only residents of Preston and Reservoir/Regent
would not consider moving.
Figure 11 Whether respondents were considering moving to improve high school options by suburb
(n=252)
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
Pascoe Vale
Coburg Coburg North West Preston Pascoe Vale Brunsw ick Other
South
Yes 54.2% 62.7% 46.2% 50.0% 0.0% 50.0% 45.0%

No 45.8% 37.3% 53.8% 50.0% 100.0% 50.0% 55.0%
14
PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH
CURRENT CHOICES
In a second open-ended question, respondents were asked to identify the problems
associated with their current choices of high school. Again, responses were coded into
the main themes and are presented in the chart below. Responses coded ‘Other’
comprised a range of factors identified by only one respondent in the survey.
The main themes that emerged related to the distance of available schools to the Coburg
community, the lack of quality options, zoning issues with existing options, the lack of
available places at local quality schools (most notably Brunswick Secondary College
and Strathmore Secondary College) and the poor co-educational options available.
Furthermore, 8% of respondents explicitly stated they would not send their children
north to Box Forest or Fawkner.
Figure 12 Problems associated with the current choices of high school (n=214)
Too far away from schools 40.2%
No quality options locally 34.6%
Zoning problems/can't get into desirable school 28.5%
Exisiting options are too full 18.7%
No quality co-educational options 16.8%
Exisitng options have poor reputation 15.4%
No available school near transport 12.6%
Existing options not within community 8.9%
Will not send children to Box Forest or Fawkner 7.9%
Poor curriculum choices at available schools 7.5%
Considering moving out of the area 5.6%
Children cannot stay with peers 5.1%
Cost of private education prohibitive 4.7%
Need to cater for changing demographics 1.9%
Religious based education not an option 1.9%
Other 13.6%
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45%
NB: As respondents could identify multiple problems, totals do not add up to 100%
15
The verbatim responses are included in full in Appendix B.
16
APPENDICES
Appendix A: Verbatim comments - Factors considered in choice of
high school
Prefer a co-ed school offering a wide range of subjects & opportunities i.e.: sports, music part
of local community, ability to continue on to high school with school friends.
Their location (which suburb) It does make a difference if your child in the future writes Box
Forest High compared with Strathmore Secondary. People will always have a preconceived
idea about your standard of education you receive and the stigma associated with an area
remains.
A range of year 11-12 pathways as the VCE program doesn't suit everyone. We need a
secondary that offers a traditional and non-traditional approach that incorporates VCE, VCAL,
VET etc. The student support programs such as student welfare program, literacy support
programs for students with learning difficulties, the facilities and resources at the school.
A sense of community. A safe learning environment, where external pressures are mitigated
by strong discipline. Unlike other secondary schools in the region.
OK - these are additional ideals...Prefer public (as opposed to private); school that caters to
different learning abilities and provides appropriate learning opportunities for gifted children but
within the local community and not exclusive and competitive; breath of educational experience
outside a narrow curriculum; an alternative to religious education offered - moral philosophy?
Decent facilities; strong parent involvement.
History of school, low turn over of staff perception of wider community, reputation. Grounds,
welcoming feel.
Where do I start? Hmmm ... Local public secondary schools must have a progressive and
switched-on school council and leadership team (principal, vice principal, etc) that have
strategies and actions in place to engage with locals and others and to meet the challenges of
transition and the subsequent teenage experience. It must have resources that enable it to
support its teachers, staff and students and not be set up to fail with lack of funds. Secondary
schools MUST have the capacity to engage in critical (self) analysis and to have the guts to
challenge both the Department and Politicians when state support is needed to improve
educational outcomes. It must be a LOCAL SCHOOL and not in suburbs that are three
postcodes from Coburg. It must be alive and vibrant (in the words of Dennis Denuto 'It just... the
vibe... of the thing’ Get it Folks? And that just for starters.
I chose the high school, which I feel, will suit my daughter, not me.
Building community spirit and a sense of belonging within our chosen community of residence.
Continue to keep social networks within our children's 'accessible' reach!!
A school environment that promotes social justice, embraces diversity and encourages children
to achieve their personal best,
Including in subjects - language (my child now has to learn a new language) sport and music.
* Encompassing community values * Equality of education and resources * Vibrant teaching
staff
Languages, local parental involvement.
Programs that encourage my child’s individual interests/needs. Maintaining my child’s
friendships with at least of a few of his friends from primary school multicultural and diverse in
terms of people and activities.
School as part of the community. Diverse population, reflecting Coburg’s demographic.
Local community.
Main points are community and a local quality high school.
On tram 19 - walk from there.
Provide positive learning environment, cater for different student needs and abilities.
Just giving my children the best possible education.
A child should be able to attend a high school with primary school friends. Having that support
base in the early years at High School is essential for children to feel confident as they enter a
much larger and complex world than they are used to.
My partner and I are in a same-sex de facto relationship and we require a school that in
17
inclusive and demonstrates clear policy and action concerning issues of discrimination,
harassment and bullying. We would like a school that offers a diverse mix of students and
teachers that reflects the diversity within our community. We would not tolerate any form of
exclusion or bullying for our children and family. We would hope that an affirming 'culture' is
nurtured and stems from the curriculum right through to the more social spheres within the
school environment including students, parents and teachers.
Bullying policy in place and working. Sporting facilities; recreation.
Open to all, part of the local community.
Proximity to my home. As a single parent I am needing to work full time in the future and that
can only happen if my child can make their own way home.
Whether it will suit the learning style of my children.
Range of extra curricular activities on offer - sport, drama, music, camps, overseas tours etc.
Discipline. Facilities and grounds - recreation areas. Reputation. Results.
Type of people who attend the school. I want a cohesive community that is relevant to us.
Not too big - less than 600.
Choices in subjects including trades.
*Size of School *Part of Coburg Community *Choice.
Inclusive. Safely accessible by bicycle via bike lanes or bike paths. Access to facilities; pools,
athletics field, basketball courts. Trade/Technical stream. e.g. Woodwork, metal work, School
Camps etc.
A school that includes parent feedback/participation in building the school culture.
Principal, Programs, culture, arts, languages.
The type of social culture at the school and what the schools bullying policy is and any
mentoring programs. This is the top two things parents look for: the curriculum and social
aspect.
Discipline, good teaching, up-to-date, good variety subjects, uniform, walking distance and a
part of the community.
Results achieved in senior classes. Sense of community and belonging to the school
community, which certainly happens at Coburg West where we currently go.
Maintaining community and friendship connections from primary school through to high school
are crucial. Community connection is a key factor that under-pins resilience, tolerance and
independence in our school students.
Quality, reputation, facilities and co-ed.
Health and wellbeing of children in Coburg, in having continuity of relationships throughout
schooling. Sustainable logistics for our family in getting everyone to school and work without
onerous travel constraints especially when children are younger and not as independent and
with regard to extra curricular activities in the school community.
Co-education. Uniform Good music program. Strict disciplined teaching.
High level of education equipment Good discipline.
Extra curricular activities and school facilities.
Leadership of the school.
A QUALITY school essential where an atmosphere of learning is a must. Behaviour and study
monitored and any bullying etc dealt with harshly. Expect results on general to be above the
average ENTER score of 50 NOT another Box Forest or Fawkner High.
Co-ed and public.
Vicinity (i.e. close to home) important. Teachers that care.
Quality of Principal, care of students, range of subjects.
A quality school located within our community.
Public state school.
Safety of school environment and ability to foster inclusiveness without undermining
achievement.
For a new school - experienced teachers. Adequate facilities. Discipline.
High standards. Certain amount of discipline/limits. High in values. Mixture of subjects rather
than quality i.e. Academic, Arts/Music, sports and trade.
Variety of subjects Community Extra curriculum opportunities Look, Feel, Vibe of a school
etc Local neighbourhood school first option.
Part of local community.
18
Not dominated by any particular social-group, non-violent, secular but with an interest in all
cultures and creeds. Non-discriminatory and opportunities for young women to thrive without
fear. Languages and music a plus.
Community involvement, good sporting and music programmes.
Distance from home & subjects provided.
Size-not too big.
We just want a good quality school where our children can develop into confident and
competent individuals and be part of a healthy functioning community.
Gay and Lesbian Friendly (Parents and Students and Teachers).
Student network continuity.
Sports programs, teacher quality, maths, science, music. Access to VET and VCE and VCAL..
Match between the requirements of the child and the ability of school to meet them.
Philosophy of school and the dedication and SKILLS and Knowledge base (as in best practice)
of teaching staff.
Q8. Factors covered most of the vital factors relevant to the High School. PLUS what about the
Coburg 2020 initiative - why doesn't it include a HIGH SCHOOL!!
Mix of social & economics population.
Languages -Asian/options. Diversity.
CHOICE.
Local quality school.
1.co education is a vital option for parents. 2.a ethos of respect, high standards. 3.a school
needs to be more than a school. Its students and parents need to serve the community and
give back to it. Hence its not only a school but a place of importance and use to the community
overall. This includes facilities that can be used by the school and the community to help
funding and reputation that a school is more than that, it\'s a part of the community and its
future. 4.caring and encouraging environment for students. 5.good student services
6.passion for learning by students, and teaching by staff through suitable processes.
7.modern day learning and aspects need to be of importance to all students so they can adapt
to the real worlds and be successful and proper contributors to society. 8.proper teaching
tools and use of technology 9. A proper school council supported by local government
bodies.
Good curriculum Good extra-curricular program Good funding and facilities (IT, Library,
Sport) Safe.
It is very important that the High school be close to our home not only so that our children can
ride/walk to school but so they can catch up with friends in out-of-school hours.
Curriculum Academic Support Adolescent Support.
Cycling distance.
Gay and Lesbian friendly Community connected Good life skills building and facilities
Options for progressive new ways of learning Parent and community involvement Sports
groups Drama and arts Filmmaking SCIENCE SCIENCE SCIENCE.
Discipline, uniform, well structured, respect taught at school for teachers and students needing
for respect each other. Good range of subjects, always being kept up-to-date.
Parking.
Reputation. Involvement of parents.
Quality of education, variety of subjects offered, local, uniform, open minded, creative,
nurturing, green.
The suitability of the School curriculum for my child\'s individual needs. They are all quite
different and one school does not necessarily fit all.
LOTE subjects.
The school must deal with bullying in a proactive manner and be an agent for
tolerance/acceptance of diversity.
Quality not quantity and safety!
I would like our daughter to go to a school where a good percentage of her classmates from
primary school attend.
Quality of Education - results achieved Reputation of School.
Single sex boys school desired Catholic school desired.
The most important thing is that my children go to a high school of high educational quality (ie -
not socially dysfunctional, and therefore not a positive learning environment) in which they feel
19
they belong as part of a community. Ideally, this strong, cohesive identity should reflect a sense
of LOCAL community, in which the students feel they have something to give to, as well as take
from. The school should reflect the cultural diversity of the local area in which the student lives,
just as primary school does. And I want my children to be able to access their local school by
public transport so as to encourage independence and reduce dependence on environmentally
unsustainable domestic car transport.
We want a great education for our children in our community. It would need to have a
comprehensive range of subjects, which included sport (they are both mad for it) and the arts -
music, performance and art activities. Excellent teachers who are engaged with education and
enjoy children is important to us too. Somewhere nearby so our kids can go to school with other
kids living in the area.
It is crucial that my children are able safely travel to and from school in about half an hour, and I
would also like them to continue to attend a school within their own community. In this age
of a fast growing local population, it is ridiculous that Coburg does not have a state co-ed high
school for the local children to attend. Whilst Brunswick and Strathmore are both relatively
close, they are both full and will continue so Fawkner, Box Forest and Northcote are not viable
options as they are too far away. My children will not be attending any of these schools.
Community and location are crucial.
International Baccalaureate Program.
Girl’s only classes for some subjects.
Local - part of local community, so kids can go to school with their friends.
That the school should foster community values and be ethical in the way it administers its
educational programmes. That care is taken for the school to be inclusive of all cultural groups
and that the school embraces an egalitarian approach that allows for the ethnic diversity that is
alive in Moreland. That the school should offer a good balance of educational opportunities,
sporting opportunities, and overseas cultural exchange programmes. That the school should
strive for excellence and be innovators of new educational thinking etc.
Not too big, not too small, facilities, breadth and depth of subjects, resources, buildings and
grounds.
Open access to all in local community.
Good values. Offer Arts subjects, music, drama etc.
Single sex, co-ed, religious and good reputation.
I would like my children to attend high school with their friends from primary school. I don\'t
think we should have to travel further than 20-30 minutes to get them to school. We don\'t have
a car to get to school, so needs to be in bicycle riding distance, or on convenient public
transport.
That they feel nurtured, encouraged and confident to do whatever they feel after high school.
Appropriateness of programs for our children.
Important for my children to attend a school with other kids who have/are growing up with
similar values and aspirations being taught by parents.
Diversity, caring, supportive.
Supporting the local community by supporting the local High School. But there is no local high
school...yet!
Safe environment, good quality, across the board of subjects. Would like children to be able to
get there easily.
That my child is happy at school.
Distance from home and subjects provided.
Quality of teachers and facilities for normal and special children.
Moving to High School with other children they went to Primary school with A school in the
area that reflects the changing culture and requirements of an area like Coburg.
Affordable school fees.
Uniforms.
Behaviour of other students, positive attitudes towards learning.
Quality teachers, academic support and curriculum.
Coburg/Pascoe Vale zone only!?
Location, Coburg is a big suburb.
School community and ethos Other students Building and outdoor space
aesthetics/ambience (i.e. is it a pleasant place to be in) Reputation in the greater community.
20
I believe high school should be at a close proximity so kids can travel with a single mode of
transport trains/trams/bus etc.
I am interested in a small school environment where the students are individuals, and feel like
that they have a sense of identity and value. I am interested in a school where the teacher’s
enthusiasm is encouraged, rewarded and stimulated by the management team of the school.
I am interested in a school that reflects the changing environment our world is facing and
makes this part of their curriculum...encourages study in sustainable living I would be willing
to support a local high school if these factors were genuinely considered.
I cannot walk far and I am a single mum. The transport cost is too high.
I would like for both of my children to attend a quality, co-educational public high school in
Coburg.
Mixed School community - diverse Cultural and socio economic backgrounds.
Peer & Parent Groups - commitment to the future of public education.
Locality. Quality. Varied in career directed education i.e. trade, art and design.
Community involvement and maintaining family and friendship connections from Primary
through to Secondary.
Catholic.
Policies of inclusiveness.
Quality teaching in a range of subjects - and not only academic but a full range of activities.
Sports programs, teacher quality, maths, science, music. Access to VET and VCE and VCAL.
Environment: - safe, conducive to keeping children interested & energised for learning,
sustainable building & values.
*Quality of education and results that the school is able to achieve. *Type of child that the
school attracts.
I would like my children to be able to attend a local high school, one that most children from
their primary school or our neighbourhood also attend. I would like it to be easy to get to by
public transport i.e. one or two short trips on a tram/bus. So that they can be independent. Or to
be able to walk or ride.... good choice of subjects and a school that is involved in the
community.
Walking distance and quality of teaching.
Diversity. Inclusiveness, but also facilities for children with special needs, or needing extra
support. Opportunity to help develop a community asset.
A variety of school sports A good music program.
The cost of secondary education. There are very few public high schools that I would consider
sending my children to within my surrounding suburbs. However, the cost of private education
is prohibitive. The only choice may be to move away from the suburb for better schooling
choices.
It must be fully funded with its own facilities - i.e. not sharing an assembly hall or a sports
ground or music facilities etc. with other schools or ad hoc arrangements with local council etc.
Common group of friends that have gone to the same area/primary school.
Public, Co-ed.
I would really like my children to be able to go to a local high school that they can transition to
with their local friends from their primary school. It\'s very important to me that she feels
connected to her local community, friendship circles and has an easy transition from primary to
secondary school. Schools now work very closely with local services and agencies and it
makes perfect sense for local young people to be attending local schools.
Well groomed, structured, co-ed.
That my children are able to attend school with their friends from primary school.
Co-ed.
Broad curriculum choices, quality NOW not tomorrow.
Off road cycling route. Strong language and arts programs and science. Good pastoral care
and support for kids with learning disabilities.
Easy communication is important enabling students come to and return from school
independently.
Most important - the subjects.
Academic support.
For us in Coburg we have no genuine choices. Unless you are a girl and can get into Pascoe
Vale Girls School (single sex schools are a joke in my opinion as they do nothing to reflect the
21
gender balance in wider society - only freaks would send their kids to a same sex school i
reckon). Open entry year 7 to 12 secondary school in COBURG is the only solution to this long-
standing problem.
Good Quality, Community involved, access to extra-curricular activities.
Safe route to school Close to home Zoning for area Good school providing lots of choices
of subjects and activities.
I feel that a public education is vital. I live in Coburg because there is a strong sense of
community and no sense of elitism that exists in other suburbs. Regardless of cost, I do not
want to send my children to a catholic or private school. The fundamental belief that every
child should have access to free, local and quality education is very important to me.
Able to ride bikes to school. Safe and supportive environment. Multicultural and socially
aware. Academic excellence.
For my children to be able to attend the same co-ed government high school.
It is important to me that a high school offers both academic subjects and the opportunity for
trade -style subjects Also important will be the school size (i.e. no. of students) and the
experience of those running the school.
It's all about the quality of education.
Quality of teaching Student Behavior Academic outcomes for students Quality teaching
staff Extra Curricular activities.
State, public school, in my community where my children do not have to travel far.
The quality of teaching.
Academic excellence. Great extra curricular programs. Creative Excellence.
Community is very important to our family and having friends locally is important for my child. I
anticipate that he will make friends at kinder and primary school that I would want him to take
with him to high school age. Also the further you have to travel to do things, catch up with
school friends, be part of the school events etc the less likely you have the time and inclination
to do it.
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Appendix B: Verbatim comments - Problems associated with the
current choices of high school
Yes, definitely. We have 2 young boys, with limited options for quality high schools. we are
currently in Coburg west, so out of the Strathmore S.C. zone & just within the Brunswick SC
zone- though we feel uncertain how these zones would apply in another 6 years. Like many
parents in this area, we will not consider sending our children to box forest or Fawkner SC's as
suggested recently, in a letter, by the education minister. This is due to poor reputation &
curriculums of these schools.
Too far to Govt secondary schools. Closest schools to us have too few curriculum options.
The local catholic boys school was recently closed and our closest option is Parade. This
means extra fees for travel. We are out of Strathmore’s zone by one street and Box Forest is
not an Option, plus it is further away as is Fawkner High school. If they opened up the Coburg
Secondary College to years 7-9 it would be one option
Yes - the only choice we have is Fawkner Secondary - it is not our nearest school, we have no
links connections or peers of my children who will be attending that school. It is not located
near public transport so traveling there would be difficult. Unless there is a new / alternative
secondary school option for my 2 boys, we will be looking at moving out of the area. Coburg
Senior College is the closest school but as its years 10-12 it is not available to us when my
sons begin in year 7!!
We live outside the Strathmore Secondary College zone, and with the imminent closure of St
Joseph's we do not feel we have any quality secondary education options for our two boys.
Pascoe Vale Girls, and Mercy provide these options for girls.
The options are difficult to get to and do not provide the level of quality that will allow my bright
child to meet his potential. The subsidization of private education has left public education is a
disgrace and most middle-class families are now scrambling to buy into the zones of the few
decent public schools or fork out for private. It's time that public education was made a priority!
Yes. The schools in our area are zoned due to high demand from more families in the area.
This has meant that if, as we are, we are just outside the zone, our options are nil.
At present I am in the Brunswick Secondary College zone, I am a little concerned about
boundaries changing in the future if demand increased beyond their capacity. I would prefer to
send my children closer to home, but would want a quality school. (I have lived here since
before the Moreland High School closed down). I think the changing demographics in the area
would support a second chance at an all year’s school on this site.
Either too great a distance away or Has set up a catchment area which we are outside of
(Northcote High) or Has reputation of standard of education provided being low coupled with
low level of care/safety for students.
Limited, no good ones in our zone. Northcote has a good reputation but will be hard to get in
too.
Existing options are not really in existence as they’re in NOT an open entry 7-12 secondary
school in Coburg. It is a joke to suggest that the Senior High in Coburg is a genuine option as it
is rare for parents to shift kids in the middle of their secondary education. The Department of
Education should wake up and accept the fact that the senior school experiment (10-12) is a
failure for the citizens of Coburg and be part of the solution and NOT continue to be part of the
problem. Folks living in Coburg West aren’t in the zone to get into Strathmore Sec. College
(Quality Public School) and Brunswick SC is busting at the seams (Quality Public School) plus i
don’t consider religious schools to be an option in the slightest. The same goes for gender
specific schools in the area. Last month I found in my childs school bag a flyer for Parade
College in Bundoora, which is about 18km from where I live. That highlights the critical need for
a top-notch public high school in Coburg. That sums it up for me.
Not any quality choices.
Yes huge problems. Zoning causes discrimination. Bad for everyone.
Yes, accessibility and ease of transition from current primary school into a Quality secondary
college.
Yes - limited to going to Brunswick. Good school but would like option of quality High School in
Coburg. Others such as Fawkner and Box Forest aren’t options due to distance and quality.
Because my son is four at the moment, not a huge issue right now, but I am feeling anxious
about what environment will be available for my son.
The closest school for my children is Strathmore, which is zoned, and we are not in the zone. It
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is also in an area with a different demographic to Coburg. I believe the core values of the two
areas are completely different and do not think my children would do well in such an
environment
Not zoned to schools which lads can catch public transport to.
Yes, many high schools with the current zoning requirements won\'t accept students that have
families on a minimum 2 year leases when renting. In combination with the current housing
crisis this poses many difficulties for families who want to stay in this area, this community with
their children.
Distance, no other public co-ed schools.
As my children are not school age yet my research to date about high schools is based on word
of mouth. As I live in Coburg my understanding is that my children can go to Brunswick High
but it is becoming very full. It is the only school my children could easily attend by public
transport. With difficulty they could get to Thornbury High but I have heard that it is not a great
school, so that does not interest me. I do not want my children to have to travel too far to
attend school as I think that would be exhausting for them, so that is why I would like to send
them locally. I also think that with a new school opening it would hopefully be setup reasonably
well with new resources and subjects.
Too far away.
Yes, as zoning has become almost essential due to the growing number of families in the area.
Fawkner is not our community.
Yes, there are no options in this area.
Pretty big gap between Fawkner and Brunswick High.
Very limited, the numbers in classes are too high, the current schools do not rate high, private
schools are too expensive and the quality of their education is not good.
Either too far away or insufficient in years.
Strathmore - out of zone. Pascoe Vale Girls - only appropriate for 1 child & not both, and we
would like to send both children to the same high school Coburg Senior High – restricted.
Others are too far to consider.
Our concerns are that we moved to Coburg because of the community resources available to
our family. The centre of Coburg offers our family all we need to be well and healthy (Access to
variety of food, community facilities, open public space, public transport, library, informal social
groups and meeting places etc;) - except for high school education. It is a huge whole for our
3 Children - A girl (4years) and Twin Boys (One year). We have been in Coburg for more than
10 years and we want our Children to go to local schools and if not right in Coburg we would
only consider schools that are closer to the CBD not further out North where there are issues
with transport and access to after school activities which are more likely to be in Coburg or
inner City for our family. We don't particularly drive unless necessary, and as our children grow
we would like them to be independent of us in terms of transport to and from school. Access to
quality bike paths, walking and public transport are essential. We also do not want our children
traveling for more than 20 minutes to get to and from school or using more than one mode of
transport to get there so that counts out any of the public schools north of Coburg. We are
clear that we want a school that our 3 children can go to - so single sexed schools are not an
option.
Limited choice available for this area.
There isn't one that is close or is part of the local Coburg community.
Can’t afford to move or else I would probably do so. YES. We do not own a car. Private school
for us in unaffordable. We need a good school in our local area.
Yes, there is no public high school within walking distance to us - we are zoned to Brunswick
Secondary College to where they would have to catch the tram. We are looking at Catholic
secondary schools and for most of them the children will also have to travel quite a distance to
school - especially the boys. We need a school that is close by with a good reputation and high
standards of teaching and discipline.
Only Brunswick Secondary is available to us and we are concerned with the growing population
and maybe the zone being reduced.
Too far away.
Yes, boys schools are no longer in the vicinity. Bundoora is the closet school for Catholic boys
and the distance to far.
Not many options for Boys schools. Local catholic boys school closing - cannot get into
Strathmore - Brunswick too crowded - Do not WANT child BOY traveling too far 'Can lead to
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trouble'.
Yes, No real option in North Coburg within walking distance or via public transport or bicycle.
Too far away Not happy with the infrastructure lacking in same.
There are no quality schools in the area.
Bad reputation may not cater to my children's needs, too far.
Accessibility – quality.
Well for start you don't get 'straight' in to any school. But for a public school limits are either all
girls school or other schools too far in Reservoir, Box Forest ...
Not much variety of quality schools. Curriculum is much the same everywhere. Not one
school stands out which means standards drastically need to improve.
Really only have one option, and would like to have a choice. By the time our kids have
reached secondary school, the closest school may have reached its cap of change the zone to
exclude us.
Schools are too far away from our home.
No, I am happy with my zoned school. I also have a reasonable chance of access to other
schools.
There is no choice for secondary schools in Moreland. We wouldn't consider Box Forest or
Fawkner secondary, lots of bad press.
Yes, there is only one co-ed school near us.
There are no local high schools. Fawkner and Box Forest have a different community culture to
Coburg.
No good co-ed public high school. Fawkner high has poor reputation.
We are just outside the Strathmore SC zone and are zoned to Brunswick SC which is a good
half hour tram ride away. I shouldn't expect my children to have to travel that far to get to their
local high school. I’m prepared for them to travel if they go to a private school, but not to the
local high school.
Not really... considering there are two girls schools already which I intend to send two of my
children to Preston Girls and my son to Brunswick SC.
The high schools are inappropriate for what I want for my children. Would happily send lads to
Strathmore but don't think we live in zone.
I would prefer not to move. There is no choice in Coburg. Box Forest is too far and we
don’t agree with single sex education. We are entitled to public education without having to pay.
Very limited, Public, quality choices.
Yes. We are 'out of the zone' for Northcote HS & Brunswick SC. We are too FAR from the
other options and we are unhappy with the remaining options.
Yes. Distance.
Strathmore not zoned in. Brunswick secondary - too far Pascoe Vale girls- would prefer co-
sex education.
We are aware that the local high school (Brunswick) is already at capacity and that by the time
our son seeks to attend that we may struggle to secure a place. Other options, all private are
not only expensive but also not particularly easy to get to from Brunswick.
Where to send boys?
Yes, Lack of choice. One catholic girls. One Govt girls. One Govt High school in immediate
area.
Nearest school (Box Forest) is not walking distance or public transport accessible. Have girls
but don\'t believe in single sex education (Pascoe vale girls school). What if had boys? Part of
society\'s responsibilities is to provide excellent accessible quality public education. Having that
education within the community of residence add only value to the local community
Our closest school is Northcote and we would be very happy with that choice of school. We
Realise the importance of having a quality school in Coburg for local children in the area.
There is no option for quality secondary education in this area for a child leaving primary
school.
Absolutely... There really is no choice for a public school on offer in walking distance.
No junior secondary school, ideologically opposed private education options, over crowding at
other high schools (e.g. Brunswick Secondary).
Yes. Traveling distance and choice of school.
Yes, there are none! At least not decent.
We are zoned for Northcote High School. However by the time my children are of secondary
25
age, there may not be capacity to take children this far from the school, as the southern art of
Darebin has had a huge growth in babies over the past 6 years. The next option is Thornbury,
but this will involve tram, bus and walking to get there.
Distance, reputation.
Yes. Travel Expense.
I worry about the boundaries of the schools shrinking.
Difficult to commute by walking or public transport. Outside Coburg community and facilities.
No network continuity for children. Poor reputation.
Distance, zoning, number of students (class sizes). Bad reputation of Northern suburbs high
schools.
The current choice for my children is basically Lakeside Secondary college. I do not want to
send my children there for a number of reason, one being it\'s location in an industrial estate.
We live equal distance between Lakeside and Coburg Senior High School. Where do I send
them before they reach year 10? There are little to no other choices for me. There are 440
pupils currently at Preston West Primary School next year there will be 480. That is a lot of
children that need a quality local high school.
Pascoe Vale girls - single sex for a family of girls! Want a co-ed quality choice.
Yes. Nowhere close by accessible by public transport which most of our children’s peers may
also attend. Fawkner and Glenroy are too far and out of range for independent travel that we
would be comfortable with. We would like a school in our community.
Choice is limited to one school without having to ' make a case' for entry to another. Some
schools I think believe their own PR and are overrated.
No co-ed High School for the children of our future in the local community area.
All need public transport to get to.
Distance from our house. Concern that current options will be full by the time my kids get to
high school age.
Yes no clear options.
I have no idea where I am going to send my kids to high school, as I don't drive.
Currently we are zoned to Brunswick sec. college, but as we are on the other side of Moreland
Rd, I worry that we will be 'zoned out' of Brunswick. Our other options will be too far away.
No Brunswick Secondary is great.
1.There is overall a lack of appropriate secondary education options in the area especially north
of Bell St. 2 A lack of options for boys is one important issue. 3.A lack of a quality co
education catholic school is also needed in this area.
Very few options in Moreland.
Yes. We live between Bell street and O'hea street and are not in the Strathmore HS or
Brunswick HS zone. We would have to travel all the way to Box Forest HS for our children's
High school education. I have no idea how we would get there as it is definitely not within
walking or riding distance and I think the public transport options open to us are very limited.
We would not be able to drive our children there as we work in the city. Why should we have to
travel so far north!!! I have also heard that Box Forest has a very bad reputation and has a
gang mentality.
Yes because heard Brunswick Sec college very tuff school.
We are concerned about the distance our children would have to travel to attend high school if
the current choices remain. We have already considered having to move out of Coburg in 8-9
years time when our children reach high school age.
Yes - the standard of schools available appear to be academically poor.
Not aware of this issue.
Princess Hill - too far away, difficult to get in Thornbury - not many spaces Northcote -
difficult to get in Brunswick - huge school - not much connection to community - too far away!
Yes! Very Limited for Boys schools and also quality girl’s schools. Distance is another factor;
good schools are long traveling distances.
Lack of clear choices.
Have moved from Pascoe Vale South to Brunswick West partially to ensure our son receives a
quality GOVERNMENT education. Although we were zoned for Strathmore, we have heard
many negative things about this school (staggered start times to cater to excessive student
numbers, reputation exceeds its performance etc).
The current choices are far too limited. We are lucky that we had our oldest enrolled at
26
Northcote High before zoning came in, and his brothers have all been eligible as siblings. If
Northcote had not been available, I don't know what school we would have chosen between the
remaining fairly unsuitable, options, none of which are easily reached by public transport. If a
suitable school had existed in Coburg, we might have considered it. As an all-boy family, our
choices are particularly limited, as there is an overloading of girls' schools in this area.
The high schools in Brunswick and Northcote are quality schools and as such are extremely
difficult to get into. Being further north we must consider Reservoir schools however that takes
my child away from his peers. As a primary teacher I have known students who have been
accepted into a high school that was their 6th choice. That far down the list it is really not a
school that they want to go to.
That’s just it, there are no current choices because there is no school in Coburg.
There is no public high school in close proximity to our home, especially for my son. There is a
girl’s school, but I would prefer my daughter to attend a co-ed school ideally. The schools we
are zoned into are a long way away and would require several modes of public transport or a
20-30 minute drive.
High school is out of the way and limits working hours etc.
Lack of choices within our zone that is of suitable standard that achieve high quality marks.
Subject strengths of schools versus distance vs accessibility.
We are yet to explore the possibilities.
So far away to travel to and or too costly. Secondary schools should have the burdens removed
for the children.
Fawkner, Box Forest and Lakeside, which we would get into, are difficult to access by public
transport and are outside our natural community. I would possibly consider Preston Girls, but
I'm not convinced about the wisdom of single sex schools and then even if it was the right
choice for her, she mightn't get in. Brunswick Secondary College would be a possibility but
again, she mightn't get in. If she did, it is a longish PT commute requiring a bus and a train or
tram. And again Brunswick Secondary College is not part of our natural community. I think
those that have been saying that we shouldn't have a school in Coburg because it might take
away funding from Brunswick Secondary College or that children might lose their zoning for
that school are being very short sighted and selfish. An all ages high school in Coburg would
take pressure off surrounding schools and create real choice for more children in the area.
We are zoned for Thornbury High School, even though this is way beyond our local community
range, both in terms of public transport and knowledge of the area. (Because it is located on
the furthest eastern fringe of Thornbury. The grade 6 cohort at our Primary school will be split
up into about 10 different schools (including govt schools in Northcote, Fitzroy and Carlton)
when all the students live in much closer proximity to Coburg than Thornbury High or ones in
the suburbs south of us. Only the kids from the poorest socio-economic families will even
consider going further north to Lakeside, Bundoora or Reservoir District Secondary! They are
seen as dysfunctional, second-class schools. The students of Preston West PS mostly live in
West Preston, Newlands, North Coburg and West Reservoir. They use other facilities in
Coburg such as Coburg pools (indoor and outdoor), Coburg basketball centre and Little Aths
club at Coburg Aths track, play in footy teams in West Preston and West Reservoir. They
have no natural connection to Thornbury or even Northcote.
Brunswick Secondary College looks good to me. I\'m concerned that they don't have a lot of
outside playing/sporting areas for kicking the ball at lunch/play times. Also the uniform is
shocking! Not that this is really important but ...
I would prefer my daughter attends a co-ed school rather than an all girls school.
My option for State run high schools is limited. I am out of Strathmore High's zone. Brunswick
Secondary College informs me that I am on the borderline of their school's zone and the next
nearest school is only for senior children and I live just off O'Heas Street. Of my Catholic school
options I have to look at Bundoora and that is not even Co-ed. There is a Co-ed Catholic school
in Glenroy and Broadmeadows but I am yet to visit it. Having had an accident this year and
being unable to drive has really highlighted to me how important it is to have your services
close to you. I have had to rely on other parents ferrying my children to and from school. How
would this have been possible if the school they were attending was not part of our local
community, which is what I am facing in the future.
Strathmore - nearest to my house but is full. Brunswick - viable on distance but is full.
Fawkner -too far away. NOT an option under any circumstance Box Forest - too far away.
NOT an option under any circumstance Northcote - as per Fawkner and Box Forest Pascoe
Vale Girls - do not want single sex school.
27
No High schools in Coburg at all.
Yes. No quality public high school in the area. Option for girls - Pascoe vale girl’s college. No
option for boys. Would not send my children to box forest college.
The schools are too far away.
No current choices available except Brunswick Secondary, which may be full by the time, we
need it.
Absolutely, at present most schools in the Inner Northern Region of Melbourne are
experiencing overcrowding. We are zoned out of all of the schools that are most desirable to us
e.g. Brunswick Secondary College, Northcote High etc. The schools that have been offered to
us are not part of our community and do not reflect our community\'s values and moreover are
most difficult to access by public transport.
The reason why we bought in West Preston and are moving from Bundoora is that we weren't
happy with the schools in our area. Zoned areas. Academic exclusive entry.
Extremely limited access and choice.
Too far too difficult to reach by public transport not part of our community would split up
friendships from primary school not academic enough.
Not good reputations.
I live in Coburg, there are very few choices.
There are no male good secondary catholic schools in the area.
I think at the moment we are zoned for Brunswick secondary college. I haven\'t been to the
school, but I am worried it is too large and crowded.
Private schools poor quality of education. Closing of schools and merging of others Quality
and range of subjects limited.
DISTANCE QUALITY OF SCHOOL.
Yes. We are outside the zone for the school, which is easiest for us to access by public
transport and not close enough to walk to any other.
Distance and use of public transport for young children (year 7) that can't be accompanied by
an adult as both parents work. Tough to access public schools out of zone. Safety of
kids moving North.
Too far away, or I fear they will be overflowing by the time my kids go to high school.
Too Far away, not convinced any of the current options culture promotes values and ideals
similar to those in our family and community. Not currently impressed by any current or
recently finished students comments, about those schools who are suggesting they are able
and willing to take on the increased population of Coburg and surrounding areas.
Yes, my child's older siblings had woeful experiences at the only educational s/c left in the area
after Kennet's terrible decision to close/demolish schools.
There are no high schools in our community. We want a govt ed for our children. Private
schooling will be too expensive, and we are not religious.
Yes, no school is close and because we live in Coburg North our choices are limited.
Yes, I would like my child to attend a school with a reasonable reputation of success.
yes - have already bought a house to be closer to bell primary - and being in northcote high
catchment was also a factor.
Yes, traveling distance and choice of schools.
Strathmore is the best performing High school in the area and we will not be zoned for that
School When I look at the progressive High schools in Melbourne they are streamed co-
educational schools There is no option for that kind of education in the public system around
here. Pascoe Vale girls is another good school however my preference is for a streamed
co-education education for my girls I want to support the public school system but I am not
zoned for a high school that will deliver the education I want my daughters to have access to
I could send them to a private school however both economically and philosophically I have
issues with that course.
Distance - too far School fees - too high.
Yes, in my situation their was only one High school (state) I could choose. I am a single mum
and cannot afford to send my daughter to a private school there is not many options.
Strathmore not available No guarantee of being accepted into school of choice (prefer
Brunswick). Not happy with reputation of Fawkner & Box Forest.
No quality choices at a reasonable distance.
No local High School with quality standards.
28
Nothing easly accessible by public transport.
May not be zoned for high school of choice. Hugely expanding population of young families
moving into the area, I do not see how the current number of schools could possibly cope.
Current choice is 1) not in our zone 2) too far.
Yes. There is no Junior Secondary School in our immediate area and the schools in our
surrounding areas are full or nearly full. With the population influx predicted for Coburg I'm not
sure what our options will be in 2013 when our eldest child will be starting secondary school.
We do not want to send our children to a religious school and are hoping that by 2013 there will
be places available at a quality Secondary State School in Coburg or close surrounding area
(within bike riding distance).
Yes. The schools in the area have too many students.
Current choices are not local.
I hadn't really thought beyond primary school until I realised we had very limited options in
regards to open entry high schools in my area (North Coburg). Down the track I was going to
look into Northcote as we are close to the tram line but I've since been told we are definitely
NOT in the zone. Unfortunately I would not consider high schools further North as for one thing,
my partner and I work in the city so in terms of travelling we would be going out of our way to
drive our sons to school. If these schools had good reputations this may be worthwhile but
frankly, and unfortunately, it sounds like this is far from the case. A friend of mine did her
secondary teaching rounds in schools in Fawkner and Broadmeadows and one word summed
it up to her - depressing! In her experience the students were disrespectful and didn’t care and
the teachers had 'given up'. According to her the stats of the students academic results totally
reflected this. I have to add that his was five years ago so maybe (hopefully) things have picked
up
Brunswick High is the current choice, which I understand will be filled up by the time my
children go. And will be zoned which would possibly mean that is not an option for us.
I’m not yet at that stage as my children are still young but it is important to me that there is a
high quality secondary education option within Coburg.
Yes it is not within walking distance or attendable with a single mode of transport.
My two eldest children travel into Carlton each day because the school they attend there offers
all the considerations that I have previously mentioned. There is a broad mix if kids from
various demographics there which makes up a healthy learning environment and has created a
place that has allowed my sons to flourish. It has a fantastic music department with
contemporary motivated teachers, and I would be looking for a similar environment for my
Daughter, now in preps.
Coburg West parents have no choice! We are zoned out of our geographically closest high
school, Strathmore Secondary College (1.8 km from our home) and Brunswick Secondary
College (3km from our home) is at capacity. Box Forrest and Fawkner are over 5 km away,
equal in distance to Princes Hill secondary college, from our home. WE HAVE NO CHOICE!
If there was a High School in Coburg when my year 9 daughter was starting high school she
would have attended it.
Not enough options, not sure if there will be enough places at local high schools when my kids
are old enough.
We are out of zone for schools on public transport routes - the schools we are in zone for are
difficult to get to and do not offer subjects that my children are interested in.
Yes, no high school for year 7 students.
No Junior High school within walking distance from home!
The one quality college I would like to send my children to is Collingwood College and it is a
long way to travel.
Limited.
Quality of School Lack of Choices Poor Curriculum.
Not enough options in the Coburg area.
They are all very far away.
We are currently within the Strathmore college boundaries, however it seems that this school is
over capacity and so by the time my kids are old enough who knows what sort of school this
might be. Although my kids are so small if nothing is done now there will be nothing for
them in 10 years time (governments are not known for their speed of actions!) I have put
my kids names down at PEGS but this would not be my preference. I feel that in 10 years we
will have no public options so I did this as a backstop. You only have to look at waiting lists
29
for kindergartens around the local area to realise that the increase in small children is dramatic;
Our local primary school also has capped the number of children who can attend. We don't
want to attend schools - primary or secondary - where the facilities are all stretched to the limit
We are zoned out of our preferred schools, princes hill or Brunswick.
Distance, zoning, number of students (class size). Bad reputation of Northern suburbs high
schools.
Yes. Distance, Quality, Culture.
Yes there are problems. I considered moving for a high school when Sarah was in year 7 but
she got into Uni High on academic grounds. My other two children may not be so lucky.
Box Forest is too far and the quality of education is not acceptable to our family. I would
NEVER consider sending my children there.
The distance to the closest schools is too far. The quality of those schools is questionable but
there is no choice at this stage. My sons/daughter may end up at different schools, which will
exacerbate the distance problem. My children's friends will be from a large area so more
difficult to maintain social contact out of school.
Yes, no local public school options for Coburg.
We have recently moved house and one of the major factors that we looked at were 'school
zones'. Mainly for secondary schools e.g. Strathmore secondary college zone. There are very
few real other options around this area. Private schools aren’t an option nor did I want my kids
to go to a 'boys' only college. We need more choices for a decent secondary school open for
years 7 - 12 and open for boys and girls. This is the number one topic for anyone with kids no
matter how young they are. We all know that the choices are limited and we need to plan now
for the future.
We are zoned out of Northcote and Brunswick, our closest high schools....both are easy to get
to by public transport i.e. one tram ride away..... The department has advised us that
Lakeside is our closest school...I do not know how our children would get there by public
transport, do not know anyone who has been there and from memory, the only thing that
stands out is that it is in an industrial zone.... why would I send my kids to somewhere I had
never heard of, not part of our community? My eldest child has Down Syndrome and is doing
well in our local public school...we want him to go to high school with the kids he went to
primary school with. I would be very worried about how he would get to Lakeside by himself, or
any kids from here. I want our children to travel independently to school but for the school to
have relevance to our local community. I do not think that Lakeside can provide that.
All would involve excessive travel and none are available in my community, nor will add to the
social fibre of my community. Coburg is a big, ever-expanding suburb. A local choice should
be available.
We need a local high school. Not many choices.
No major problems since our older child is at Northcote HS, happy to be there and hopefully
our youngest child will go there too if there is no high school in Coburg.
There are a limited number of quality high schools in the Reservoir/Preston/Coburg area. The
school that I would choose, being Northcote High School is zoned and we live outside of the
catchment area for that school.
Available schools are too far away for independent transport to and from, by our children.
Other schools are in other communities; we need this school in our community.
Yes. Availability, choice quality of teaching, public transport, culture, environment (rough)
safety at school.
Yes. Public co-ed schools are too far away.
The only local secondary school in Coburg is from Year 10 upwards. I would prefer my children
to attend a secondary school from Year 7 to Year 12 so they do not have to go through two
transition periods.
Yes there is only one co-education catholic school in the area Penola and only one state girl
school around (Pascoe Vale girls college). No State boys college.
Too far away and out of my community.
Nothing co-ed that I can send both my children to, as I have boy and girl.
Brunswick Sec College to my knowledge has or is close to reaching its cap. I believe that
may mean we need to send our children to Fawkner, this is a) difficult to reach and b) not in our
community.
Lakeside has irregular inadequate public transport and is too small, not much subject options.
Box Forest and Fawkner are outside our natural community-I've never been there and don't
30
know anyone who lives there. Not prepared to try and build up a school outside my own
community.
My son has been selected for Brunswick Secondary College for Y-7, which is far from my
present residence. As such I am planning to move in Brunswick shortly.
Too far away Uncertain of quality of schools it; Box Forest and Fawkner.
Strathmore Secondary means that we would have to suffer outrageous house prices to move
into that particular zone. Brunswick Secondary is doing well but the idea of increasing the
school population (1000+) does not improve educational outcomes according to well-
documented academic research and just makes the school more like a factory than a part of
the local landscape. One last message for Minister Pike and the other politicians like Campbell,
Thomson and that lame-duck fake-leftie Carlo Carli. At least the Moreland City Council has
declared their support for a High School for Coburg. Time or the ALP to back ALP seats or just
leave and let US manage OUR affairs.
Too far away to any good quality High Schools.
We are out of the zone of all the high schools around us.
I feel that the options for secondary school education in this area are too far, low quality and
overcrowded. I will move house in the next 5-10 years to Darebin or other areas to access
better and local secondary education.
Not enough choice and not sure how things work in system.
Yes, little choice for boys.
Strathmore and Brunswick High are full. Box forest too far away and poor reputation. Would
have to move house to god knows where to get a decent education for my kids.
Nothing easily accessible by public transport, subject options limited.
Coburg West residents cannot access their local high school, which is Strathmore High School.
There are on other options within 2kms from our home. There are no locally accessible high
schools in Coburg.
There are not a lot of choices - those school in our area do not have a particularly good
reputation at this time (although I am aware that as it is sometime before my children are of that
age this may change) The Good Public schools nearby are restricting enrolment of children
outside their immediate suburbs
There are no current options basically. Kids from Coburg have to go to Brunswick, or you have
to pay for an education. It seems amazing in an area of high-density population, and also
where the demographic is changing so substantially to being young families. Something has to
be done about it.
The high schools that my children are zoned for are of questionable reputation - where they
advertise how good their social welfare programmes are - 'say no to drugs' 'safe sex'. I know
that lots of schools have issues but I don't want my child in a school where there seem to be
the dominant issues I think that educational outcomes are important and the percentage of
students that go to university is important to me. If my child is at the schools that she is zoned
for where these percentages are low, I am concerned that she won\'t see university as a good
option as those around her aren’t that interested in that direction.
There is no way I would send my kids to Fawkner or Box Forest due to the inaccessibility of
these schools. Brunswick is full.
WE NEED HIGH SCHOOL IN THE AREA. TRAVELLING TAKES TIME.
There are no options
Too hard to find the quality of teaching.
There are absolutely no options currently available in the area as we require a non-religious
school, which is not excessively costly.
Many public schools are simply too far away to be a consideration.
Haven't researched yet.
No Schools nearby.
We believe that schools further north to us that have been offered, as alternatives are difficult to
get to, and would require multiple public transports from our house.
NO SECONDARY SCHOOL IN AREA. NEAREST SCHOOL IS YEAR 10-12 ONLY. ONLY
OPTIONS ARE UNSATISFACTORY.
31
Appendix C: Other comments
I totally agree that a good quality local high school can provide many benefits to its community.
It would attract more families to the area. Among other things, it would also improve the value
of local real estate, if it has good quality education options. At present, it is a very fragmented
process of children attending many different high schools. This problem will only worsen as
more local children reach high school age. As Coburg's population & its developments
continue to increase, it's vital to consider the issue of education. The local community,
especially it's young people, need & deserve the option of a quality secondary education
I understand that a survey was given to all the parents in the public schools by Christine
Campbell’s office. She failed to direct any surveys to the Catholic school, (which their are many
in this zone) and we have to send our children the secondary schools as well. So any results
will not shown the overall needs of the area.
I hope, as a strong collective, we can pressure the State Government into action. In an alleged
time of ' Education revolution' I both thank you for your efforts so far, and wish for success.
Thank you most sincerely for your efforts and keep up the good work.
Access to a quality, low fee state school is essential. Thanks.
There is a vibrant community of energized parents, which has grown in recent years in the
Coburg area. Given the lack of existing high schools, a high number of children nearing high
school age, there is a strong case for a high school in Coburg.
There are so many choices for primary schools in all areas around Preston, that it seems tragic
that there is such a competitive edge to get into anywhere that is good at a high school level.
There needs to be more choices, our primary school population is growing, at PWPS there
have two consecutive years of over one hundred prep enrolments, as this moves through the
school, in the next 7 - 8 years high school choices will be fewer, it is critical that more high
school options are available.
Great work by the HSC people and the Moreland City Council (Cr Enver Erdogan in particular)
has been positive on this matter. It is time for bureaucrats to serve the public and for local
politicians to be representative of the electorate and to deliver a High School for Coburg.
Make sure you act on the bullies and do not put their behaviour under the carpet. The teachers
do a fantastic job, do not treat them like s&*t. Do not do to others what you do not want done to
you.
To ensure a quality profile of the Moreland Community. We need a 'Quality' School for our
children. Why drive families away?
More pressure of Education Minister and local MPs. Minister makes decisions, not Education
Department. Action/outcomes are more important than words. They may pay at Ballot Box.
Would like to support this great initiative.
Every suburb should have their own high school, 2 have been closed in the past (Coburg +
Newlands) one opened and then closed (Moreland SC) then a senior school opened. Why
wasn't 'all years' to start with? WE NEED A HIGH SCHOOL.
It is ironic that I lived nearby to this area as a high school student when Jeff in his land grab
closed the high schools; we protested but to no avail. Now there stands hundreds of homes on
the old Newlands High site full of children with nowhere to go to school!!!
This community needs a public school.
Your group is doing a fantastic job. Keep it up as it feels to me that the momentum is building.
Turn Moreland Senior High into a state of the art all years school.
BSC is out of our zone and not the kind of school for us. We're planning on tutoring our son in
the hope of entry to Uni High if no CHS.
The government should address the community needs and provide a quality school that will
allow our children to receive the education they are entitled to.
Year 7-12 for coburg.
Thank you to the HSC Committee for all the work they are doing. We hope that there can be
some obvious changes made to the Coburg Senior High very soon. We really only have a few
more months to decide if we are moving or not. $50,000 on stamp duty and legals could be
better spent, rather than having to use it for private school or to ensure that our children remain
with their community by moving house. If the government was forced to pay $50,000 to all
the distraught parents who are being forced to move they might think twice about not opening
the 7-9 years at Coburg Senior High. They might say that we are not being forced to move, but
32
honestly 5, 6 and 7 km is just too far to walk for a young child and it takes them right out of their
local community zone.
3 things we know make our children grow into healthy adults: 1. Strong connection to family
2.Strong connection to school 3.Strong connection to community Makes sense to me that
this model work its best if there is a strong connection between all of these factors. A local
school embedded and connected to the community within a child's family residence is
paramount.
Keep up the good work!
We deserve a quality public high school for Coburg. I find this all very distressing.
For an area with a growing population of young families it seems ridiculous that Moreland City
Council can't offer quality education for such a large part of the area. Current schools are just
going to end up over populated, which will more than likely affect the quality of the schools that
already exist.
I believe that there are sufficient options available for all families regardless of income, personal
preferences etc. Any government funding should be directed towards existing secondary state
schools in the area to ensure they can provide the range of facilities and quality of teachers
found in other schools.
Please bring a boys or co-ed catholic school closer to our locality.
A good secondary school would show commitment to Coburg and would have a huge impact
on people’s perception of Coburg and give PRIDE TO THE COMMUNITY.
High School for Coburg in 2011 not 2110!
What can I do to help?
In the end was happy where she got in. To me the school is as good as the people running it,
like any other business. Starts from the top with the leader.
Perfect opportunity for a high school of fantastic quality to be built in the Coburg area.
Especially with so many young families moving into our area, it only makes sense.
The government needs to realise the changing demographics of the area mean more
government schools (secondary) are required.
I am concerned that the push to open another school in this area will have will have the effect
of undermining other existing local schools. Quality VCE provision requires larger enrolments.
Small local schools are appropriate for primary but secondary- esp senior secondary requires
larger numbers for quality subject choice.
Thanks for your organisation of this event. Impressive community collaboration.
Why not get a principal and teaching staff to model themselves on decent schools such as
Strathmore, Uni High, Balwyn, Melbourne Girls College etc - People would 'flock to' the school!
DON\'T LET THIS EFFORT END UP LIKE FITZROY HIGH.
We must have a high school in Coburg.
Clearly there is a need for an additional co-ed state high school in this area given that so many
are left out due to zoning issues. I don not want my child to travel outside our community to
school.
Cannot see what other choice government has but to provide a High school for Coburg now,
why is it so hard for them to budget for this basic necessity, but it is not hard for them to allow
high density residence to be being built without adequate infra structure.
We need a choice between Independent and Govt. Both are required in our area.
Would like to see the Coburg area bloom as a community for social cohesion and excellence in
arts and education. Demographic is changing in embracing all established cultures of Coburg
while becoming increasingly cosmopolitan. Coburg supports a diversity of people and a
richness of creativity in the arts and music and the education system should reflect this.
I sincerely hope the State Govt listens to concerns of residents and opens a school. I also think
it disgraceful they shut all local public schools!
We need a decent high school.
Travelling from West Preston to Fawkner, Kingsbury etc is not OK in my books.
Good on you!
Many schools have zones or entrance exams to restrict students to their local community.
Still a way off in my life, denial! But think it is very important and grateful for your efforts.
More of a question. How many public high/secondary schools have been lost around the
Coburg area over the past 10-20 years? I think this is an important point that could help to
focus the need.
33
We would love a local school.
PARENTS WANT CHOICE! & THEY WANT TO BE A PART OF THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITY!
Brunswick Secondary is a local school.
Any new school must be beyond the quality we have in Moreland now. Many schools in the
area are simply not up to standards in terms of facilities, teachers and quality of teaching and
their approach. These schools may as well not be around. I wont mention these at this stage as
each school has a 'place' in society for some reason and purpose. But Moreland, and
especially areas of Pascoe Vale and Coburg lack quality education at a secondary level.
I’m currently seeking to move area if a quality co education school (prefer Catholic), isn't up and
running within 2 to 3 years. This trend will leave the current secondary colleges behind in
every way as parents and students who want a quality education will seek alternatives areas
and leave Moreland as a poor option for education, and a poor area to live, this will effect
house pricing and longer term other infrastructure investments. A quality school is a bloodline
to a community, and longer term a place to want to live. Forget the Moreland Council long-term
2020 vision, etc, the most important thing local government and council together need to
address is a quality high school. Not what Sydney road and the areas around it will look like, as
no one will want to live in Coburg. Get a quality school up and running now, as without it, the
area will slowly die away. Moreland is 12 km\'s from the city, yet with trends of people moving
on, and poor education options, it may as well be in country Victoria. What a shame.
Upset with long-term inaction from local, sate and federal politicians.
Having a High School in Coburg is of high priority and should be treated as such. I am sick of
politicians treating the residents of this area as second-class citizens. Just because politicians
have the monetary means to send their children to a private high school does not mean that we
can afford such a privilege! Why should we have to move house and move from our home and
community to go to a better public school?
If Coburg is successful in achieving the goal of having a High School, it would be highly
beneficial to all students attending if it were to set it's academic standard above par to allow all
students the opportunities to achieve their potential. These students are our future and there
are many state schools that offer a wonderful curriculum and encourage the students to excel
in their studies. It would be extremely disappointing to work this hard to achieve a new school
only to have it at a sub-standard level.
As a rental tenant, housing security has the biggest impact on my access to staying part of the
local community.
I would love for my children to go to HS with their friendship groups; the community in our area
becomes incredibly fractured.
It would be great to have a quality school within our community, especially with so many young
families within the area. Great opportunity for this to happen.
More authorities for teachers. More families’ involvement.
Lobby the government as much as possible. Bi-partisanship between Coburg members and
opposition members in Coburg.
The maternal and child health nurses in our area are over run with work, so it must be assumed
that all of the babies they are seeing will need school places. It is ridiculously short sighted to
ignore the reality and not plan for a new school for them when they will attend high school.
The high school for Coburg question is very much related to funding of public education.
It would seem to me that Coburg being the seat of local government for the city of Moreland,
should have as a basic minimum, all years schooling and the apparent increase in births in the
area would demand it.
I attended Coburg High and it was a quality school.
A high school in Coburg would be a great bonus for our kids and our community. Parents would
have to feel assured however that it could offer a great education for their kids with a good
strong range of subjects at the upper levels - including a choice of languages and histories, art
and sporting activities etc. Starting a school from scratch would have perceived drawbacks and
it would be important to allay community fears that this was NOT an 'experiment' - it would
need to be resourced with excellent teachers who are community minded and reflect the
interests and aspirations of the community cohort.
I am extremely impressed with the development of the HSC Committee. Well done to everyone.
I believe that the current Coburg Senior High School is a luxury that Coburg cannot afford, and
it is surely the most practical option in terms of location, buildings, cost etc in establishing a
Grade 7 plus High School for Coburg. With the current population of children plus that expected
34
following the housing developments currently planned or underway, the Dep. of Education
simply has no option than to establish a new High School within the next two years.
I would ask that The Education Minister Bronwyn Pike redress the balance and restore a high
school to Coburg and its broader community. The educational landscape in this region of
Melbourne was decimated by the Kennett Government and has been left to languish in this
state. This is an intolerable situation and must be rectified immediately. It's time that this
community was given world-class secondary school opportunities for its children.
There is a gap and need for a high school in the area that accommodates all students, abilities
and levels.
Surely with the rising number of children in our region this is sensible!!!
There is a lack of quality secondary education particularly in our area. It's imperative that our
children have access to a local college where they will have an opportunity to excel without
having to travel great distances. It would also be safer for our children to be based at a school
closer to home, especially in today's environment.
It is ridiculous that children need to consider applying to secondary schools' specialist programs
in order to get into schools outside their suburbs, simply because there isn't a viable alternative
close by. Every suburb should have a well-resourced, high quality public secondary school.
The Coburg Initiative should be a perfect platform to improve educational and community
services such as high school. The municipality is primarily concerned with increasing housing
density and not enhancing the community.
The old Coburg High and other local secondary schools should NEVER have been closed.
Thank you for your energy and efforts...we support you all the way!
Keep working at it and congratulations on the effort. People power will win!
A Co-ed secondary school is definitely needed in the Coburg area. Population has increased
in the area and lots of young families have moved in. Too many high schools were closed by
the Kennet Govt - e.g. Hadfield, Oak Park and Coburg.
Already have moved to be close to High school. For a single mum who’s only option is a state
high school, it would be nice to know I had a choice. What do I do if things don't work out for
my daughter at the high school she will be attending? Where do I send her? Do I have to
move again?
GET OUR HIGH SCHOOL.
I would like to acknowledge and express my appreciation to the initiators of HIGH SCHOOL
FOR COBURG. I hope that their efforts are rewarded and that we will all reap the benefits!
Yes I have tried to put my kid in a couple of schools which are at close proximity to single mode
of transport due to being out of the boundary they refused to take my son.
As a life long ALP voter I find it abhorrent and insulting that quality secondary education options
are only available in marginal and Liberal seats. What happened to the ALP’s Education
Revolution??
I don't know if I would change and send my children to a high school in Coburg as I am happy
with NHS.
I am furious by comments in local media that a school is not needed and that they probably
wouldn't send their kids to the existing options if they were in our shoes!!
Coburg needs a high school, we have few options.
The obvious growth in the area makes a local school vital.
There are many 'great' primary schools in Coburg, and friendships are extremely important. All
those established relationships developed at primary level between kids are ruined when they
get squashed into a non-local high school.
We may send them to a Catholic school but there is no Catholic High School for boys in the
area either.
I feel very strongly that our kids are being overlooked. In other suburbs there are so many
schools to choose from that have great reputations. We do not seem to have any options.
The department is suggesting we travel quite a long way north to other schools that we have
never heard of. Most parents would choose to send their kids to schools that have good
reputations or that you know of in some way... We want the same choice that other families
have.
The Coburg initiative features planning for more and more residential development. The Kodak
site and Pentridge will bring more and more families into the area. Crèches and preschools are
already unable to meet demand. What happens in 10 years time? Part of creating a
community is giving it an educational hub.
35
I would be very happy to have a High School in Coburg being a Secondary school teacher
myself (French teacher).
I believe there is a low standard of secondary schooling offered within the Reservoir/Preston/
Coburg area and I do not wish to send my children to poorly funded and staffed secondary
schools. There is a genuine need to better funded and resourced schools within this area.
I don’t see why this has to be so difficult. This area is lacking a 7-12 high school. Just build it
Education Dept. Public Servants!!
LETS MAKE THEM BRING BACK HIGH SCHOOL!
We’ve got a school in Coburg in good working order. Let's open it up again.
In the coming years there will be an increasing number of young people in Coburg and we
really need a local secondary school that we can all support and create a community around.
HIGH SCHOOL FOR COBURG NOW!!
Considering Northcote and Brunswick, worried we won't get in.
Coburg is a prominent area. A quality High School should be here to support the community
living here.
I think it would be nice to have a High School in Coburg, especially for our community. Let's
face it; there is no High School in Coburg. I myself went to Coburg Primary then Coburg High
School. It would be nice to carry on the tradition for my three children.
Very poor of Australia not to have a school (especially secondary school) within a zone.
Especially when they know that there is a huge pocket where there is no choice of a secondary
school. We are abundant of primary schools in the area. In the suburb of Preston, I can easily
count 5 primary schools in the suburb, but no secondary school.
What a large and booming suburb we live in, yet there is no public high school. The sense of
community that a high school brings cannot be underestimated. With the large population
boom occurring in Moreland, it seems ridiculous that there is no local option for high school.
Coburg Senior High seems the obvious choice to extend to a full High School.
Keep up the great work and thanks.
Please always send the up to date information of the High school's names
We may relocate before our 2nd Child is requiring schooling, so hopefully this will not be
necessary!
We want a high school years 7-12 in our local area!
It makes sense given buildings already on site and unused to provide year 7-9 at Coburg senior
site.
36

High School For Coburg Survey Report October 2009

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High School For Coburg Survey Report October 2009

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High School for Coburg

Survey Report 2009

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................................................................3

• 87.7% of eldest children are currently in Grade 6 or below. 10.7% of eldest

• In contrast, 99% of youngest children are currently in Grade 6 or below, while

• 100% of respondents rated the quality of teaching as ‘vital’ or ‘important’, with

• In an open-ended question, respondents were asked to identify the problems

Figure 1 Suburb of respondents (n=265)

Coburg North 22.6%

West Preston 10.2%

Pascoe Vale 5.3%

Pascoe Vale South 2.6%

Brunsw ick (incl.

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%

Figure 2 Number of children of respondents (n=265)

Series1 20.0% 55.9% 19.6% 3.4% 0.8% 0.4%

Age Range of Children

15 years and older 0.0%

14 years old 0.5%

13 years old 0.0%

12 years old 2.7%

11 years old 3.2%

10 years old 2.3%

9 years old 2.3%

8 years old 7.3%

7 years old 7.8%

6 years old 9.1%

5 years old 8.2%

4 years old 11.4%

3 years old 11.9%

2 years old 11.0%

1 year old 13.7%

Under 1 year 8.7%

0% 2% 4% 6% 8% 10% 12% 14% 16%

Eldest Child Youngest Child

No longer at school 0.0%

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30%

Eldest Child Youngest Child

Figure 5 Schools currently attended (n=223)

Figure 6 Importance of factors in choice of high school (n=255)

Vital 16.5% 42.8% 87.8% 69.3% 55.6%

Safety, discipline and co-educational opportunities were other strong themes.

The verbatim responses are included in full in Appendix A.

Figure 7 Factors considered in choice of high school (n=168)

Quality teaching 25.0%

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30%

Yes 97.5% 100.0% 92.3% 100.0% 85.7% 50.0% 90.0%

Yes 54.2% 62.7% 46.2% 50.0% 0.0% 50.0% 45.0%

Too far away from schools 40.2%

No quality options locally 34.6%

Zoning problems/can't get into desirable school 28.5%

Exisiting options are too full 18.7%

No quality co-educational options 16.8%

Exisitng options have poor reputation 15.4%

No available school near transport 12.6%

Existing options not within community 8.9%

Will not send children to Box Forest or Fawkner 7.9%

Poor curriculum choices at available schools 7.5%

Considering moving out of the area 5.6%

Children cannot stay with peers 5.1%

Cost of private education prohibitive 4.7%

Need to cater for changing demographics 1.9%

Religious based education not an option 1.9%