There is a growing demand for single-sex schools in the Greater Springfield area, mirroring a similar trend observed across the site, and development of facilities to meet the demand is expected to grow in the region.
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According to Independent Schools Queensland, there are already 22 single-sex schools in the State at present. Still, some of these schools receive inquiries at three times the rate of their current capacity.
Maha Sinnathamby, the entrepreneur behind the Greater Springfield development said Springfield’s expected population boom would see another 12 new schools built in the coming years, in addition to a new state school revealed in the State’s most recent budget.
Greater Springfield, Australia’s largest master-planned community, currently has 11 schools that cater for more than 11,000 school-aged students. But now that there are already more than 50,000 people in Springfield, which is expected to double in the next decade, more education facilities are needed in the area.
“With 11 schools currently accommodating our 11,000 school-aged students, at least 10 more will be required to accommodate the projected doubling of our school-aged population by 2036,” said Springfield City Group Education and Health Services director Meera Honan in a media statement.
Supporting this vision, Springfield general manager Richard Eden revealed there’s a capacity to add an all-boys school and an all-girls school to the educational institutions they already have.
“Springfield is a Learning City – where learning is valued and championed. We invite anyone who wants to share in that vision and aspiration to make contact with us,” stated on the website.
Push for Single-Sex Schooling
In August 2021, Greater Springfield held the Virtual Think Tank on Single-Sex Schooling which attracted over one hundred participants from a wide background including 14 universities (Australian, and International), as well as schools from across Australia.
The panel discussed single-sex schooling from a range of angles anchored by the fundamental question of how important personalised education is for students learning in today’s world.
“Many factors drive parental choice including heritage, gender-specific intergeneration ideas and reputation. Social and demographic factors also impact and limit choice and/or access. Stereotypes in schools are reflected close to Australian society and this societal and parental messaging impacts upon career choices. Often very early, even in the primary years,” Greater Springfield stated.
The virtual think tank also pointed out the benefits of single-sex schooling, such as self-confidence for students, personalised learning, and inclusivity.