A co-educational 7–12 high school will take the place of the current James Cook Boys Technology High School and Moorefield Girls High School sites from 2026.

From Term 1 2026, classes will be co-educational, although there may be some specific curriculum-related exemptions.

The department undertook comprehensive consultation with the Kogarah and surrounding area school and pre-school communities. Co-educational schools were preferred by the majority of those surveyed. There was particularly strong support from local public primary school parents, carers and students.

• The majority of the future school community preferred the proposal to combine James Cook Boys Technology High School and Moorefield Girls High School to create a co-educational school.
• More than two-thirds of James Cook Boys Technology High School parents and carers preferred a co-educational model or had no preference.
• Almost half of Moorefield Girls High School parents and carers preferred a co-educational model or had no preference.

An increase in the student population of a co-educational school will expand the range of curricula and co-curricular options. The wider range of course options available to Years 11 and 12 will support post-school pathways and career options.

A consultation process following departmental guidelines will take place with students, parents and staff, and the local AECG and elders, to determine the name of the new co-educational school.

No parent will need to buy a new uniform during the transition to the new co-educational school. In line with the department’s policy, the school community will be consulted on issues such as uniform, motto and other important aspects of school identity for the new school.

The intake areas will cover the current James Cook Boys Technology High School and Moorefield Girls High School intake area boundaries.

The newly defined enrolment intake areas will appear on School Finder for the 2026 Year 7 intake from Term 1 2025.

All substantive staff, other than the current two principals, and the current two School Administrative Managers (SAMs) will be guaranteed a position at the school until 2028. After this time, the school will be staffed according to the school staffing agreement. From 2028, all staff would be guaranteed a position either at the co-educational school or another public high school. The principals and School Administrative Managers of James Cook Boys Technology High School and Moorefield Girls High School will be guaranteed commensurate positions in the public education system.

The department will appoint an experienced secondary school principal to manage the transition to a co-educational high school. This will ensure transitional and establishment issues are given appropriate focus, planning and consultation to ensure success. A principal for the co-educational school will be recruited in Term 4 2024 to begin at the start of Term 1 2025.

Particular care will be taken in the transition to ensure that HSC students are well supported during the changes. All current Stage 6 courses at the commencement of the co-educational high school will be maintained through to students’ HSC examinations in 2026.

An additional investment will support the current sites to make the new co-educational high school the best possible learning environment for students.

Planned works include consolidating and improving the campuses’ IT and administration systems, adding covered walkways and new signage, as well as improving toilet and changeroom facilities at both sites.

Out-of-area enrolment will be considered in line with the department’s current policy. Recent changes to school boundaries and factors such as siblings are considered for out-of-area enrolment applications.

Other local single-sex high school options for girls include Wiley Park Girls High School, Beverly Hills Girls High School and Canterbury Girls High School. Local options for boys include Canterbury Boys High School and Belmore Boys High School.

Check School Finder for the 2026 intake areas from Term 1 2025.

The transition team and coordinating principal will revise all school operations currently in place for the two single-sex schools and reconcile them into one set of school operations. Relevant details will be published for students and parents in 2025 and prior to the start of the 2026 school year.

In line with the department’s enrolment policy, the newly co-educational campuses will accommodate all designated intake area students. Where capacity exists, out-of-area students may seek enrolment until the school reaches its designated cap.