Another key Malinauskas Labor Government election commitment is being delivered with the return of suburbs to the shared CBD high school zone.
Suburbs were cut from the shared CBD school zone by the previous Liberal Government in 2019.
This caused distress and confusion for many families that purchased homes in the area so their children could attend a CBD school.
The school zone shared by Adelaide Botanic High School and Adelaide High School is being restored to the 2019 boundaries as part of an expansion of Adelaide Botanic High. This will see capacity increase by 700 places in time for the 2024 school year.
As a result of the restoration of the shared zone, the zones of Underdale High School, Plympton International College and Unley High School will also be changed.
The updated shared zone will include previously zoned suburbs of Glandore, Hilton, Kurralta Park and Black Forest and part suburbs of Marleston, Mile End, Richmond, Torrensville, and Clarence Park.
It will apply to new year 7 enrolments from the start of 2024. It will not impact current students.
The updated zones come as Adelaide Botanic High School undergoes an expansion that will increase its capacity to 1,950 students. Concept designs were recently released for the $98m expansion of the school with a seven-level wing to be constructed on the southern side of the existing buildings.
Adelaide Botanic High School and Adelaide High School will continue to have a shared zone, allowing parents within the zone to nominate their preferred CBD high school.
Quotes attributable to Blair Boyer
We have some incredible schools in the city that provide world-class education, so it comes as no surprise that families living nearby are knocking down the door to get in.
It’s really important that our children and young people have access and choice when it comes to public education.
I am thrilled we have reinstated those suburbs cut by the former Liberal government in 2019 and that we are delivering on another election commitment so early in the life of this Malinauskas Labor Government.
This new education infrastructure will deliver enduring benefits to the local community, making our city a more attractive place of residence for South Australian families.
Quotes attributable to Tom Koutsantonis, Member for West Torrens
Families that live in my electorate were left devastated by the short-sighted decision of the former Liberal government to remove their suburbs from the CBD school zones.
We joined with the community in their campaign against these short-sighted changes and helped make their voices heard – and Labor is now responding.
As a former Adelaide High student, I’m proud that we are able to once again make my old school accessible to western suburbs residents.
Quotes attributable to Jayne Stinson, Member for Badcoe
This is a huge win for my community. For years, local families have fought tooth and nail for fairness – and I’ve been fighting with them.
Finally, the school zone they were long promised will be restored.
The heartless decision of the previous government to rip the zone away has had an impact emotionally and financially for many families and I’m glad we can now start to repair that.
Thanks to every parent, carer, teacher and student who campaigned. This is their victory.
Quotes attributable to Lucy Hood, Member for Adelaide
I'm proud to have been educated in the public school system and, as a former education journalist, understand how important it is to provide students with the best learning environments to help them reach their full potential.
Adelaide Botanic High is a state-of-the-art educational facility and more capacity means more families in my community can access a quality public education for their kids.