Schools conspire to work together

STUDENTS at three greater Hobart public schools will have access to more classes from next year after the forming of a new cross-campus partnership.

The principals of Elizabeth College, New Town High School and Ogilvie High School yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding for a collaborative partnership to allow a more flexible approach to education across the schools.

The partnership began informally this year, with coeducational classes in sports science and theatre studies at the two high schools.

In 2020, each school will offer specialised courses of study with some students undertaking programs at two or more of the schools, where they will have shared enrolments.

Elizabeth College principal Dianne Purnell said the arrangement would provide more opportunities for all students to study in specialised areas.

New Town principal David Kilpatrick encouraged other schools to consider a similar shared model.

“This collaboration is about raising attainment levels, and we think it’s a good model,” he said. “Next year we’ll be running ten subjects across New Town and Ogilvie

that we wouldn’t have been able to do ordinarily.”

Ogilvie Year 10 student Tess Archer said taking part in the current cross-campus musical production had given her a chance to familiarise herself with Elizabeth College where she will be attending next year.

“I think the opportunities that are arising now are an important way for us to prepare not only for college, but also for life,” she said.