Hunter's Selective School Debate: Population Boom Sparks Calls for More Gifted Education
With the Hunter region's population forecast to climb to almost one million within the next 15 years, a pressing question has emerged: is the area's gifted education system keeping pace? This issue has ignited a debate among parents, educators, and experts, highlighting concerns over equity and access for academically talented students.
A Clear Disadvantage in Regional Planning
Merewether High School parent Danidu Kudagamage expressed disbelief that only one fully academically selective school serves Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, and surrounding areas, despite rapid population growth. "After 37 years, we still only have the one school," Mr Kudagamage said, noting that his daughter is in year 11 at Merewether High, while his son in year 6 is preparing for the entry exam this year.
He argued that the lack of long-term planning has placed the Hunter at a distinct disadvantage compared to other parts of New South Wales. Councils within the Hunter Joint Organisation, including Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Port Stephens, Cessnock, and the Upper Hunter, are expected to grow from approximately 775,000 people in 2021 to nearly 960,000 by 2041.
Comparing Selective School Access Across NSW
The disparity in selective school availability is stark. While the Hunter Region has one selective school for its 775,000 residents, Greater Sydney boasts 15 fully selective schools, including Gosford High School, for a population of 5.2 million. According to the 2021 census, this translates to just under 350,000 people per selective school in Greater Sydney, a ratio that highlights the Hunter's relative shortage.
Across New South Wales, there are 17 fully academically selective high schools, with only two located outside Greater Sydney—one in Newcastle and one in Wollongong—alongside 26 partially selective schools statewide. These institutions are not geographically zoned, allowing students from anywhere in the state to enrol if they can manage the commute.
Expert Insights on Expanding Gifted Education
Jae Jung, director of the Gifted Education Research, Resource and Information Centre at the University of New South Wales, suggested that the Hunter could benefit from a second selective school due to its growing population and vast geographic area. "The question is, are the selective school offerings in the region adequate to cater to all gifted students in the region?" Professor Jung said.
He pointed to long commute times, potentially exceeding an hour, as a compelling argument for adding another school. The Newcastle Herald has previously reported on a Merewether High student who endured a three-hour round trip daily. Professor Jung proposed starting with a partially selective school as a potential solution and also recommended increasing places at Merewether High to address population concerns.
However, he cautioned that selective schools are not the only pathway for gifted students, noting alternatives like grade-skipping or online advanced courses, such as Aurora College for remote and rural students, which offers virtual classes in English, mathematics, and science.
Opposition to Selective School Expansion
Laureate Professor Jennifer Gore, director of the University of Newcastle's Teachers and Teaching Research Centre, opposed the idea of additional selective schools. "There are many other ways for us as a nation to achieve excellence and equity, and I'm not sure that expanding the selective school system is a good idea," she said.
Professor Gore referenced a 2018 study from the Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, which found that students at selective high schools only achieved marginally better in the Australian Tertiary Admission Ranks than those who were unsuccessful in entry exams. "It's more about ensuring we have good-quality teaching happening in every school," she emphasized, arguing that equity and excellence can coexist within a single education system.
Department of Education Initiatives
A NSW Department of Education spokesperson highlighted ongoing efforts to expand high potential and gifted education offerings. These include upgraded specialist teaching spaces and targeted talent development programs at 33 schools across the state, such as Muswellbrook High School and Lake Macquarie High School.
While the department did not provide a detailed postcode breakdown, it noted that over 90 percent of students who accepted a place at Merewether High in 2025-26 hail from the Hunter New England region. In 2023, the top five enrolment postcodes were all within the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie local government areas.
As the Hunter's population continues to swell, the debate over selective schools underscores broader questions about how best to support gifted students while maintaining educational equity across the region.
