Kincoppal-Rose Bay School will phase out co-education in its junior campus following low male enrolment numbers.
Background and Context
Kincoppal-Rose Bay, one of Sydney’s high-fee private schools, has announced it will stop accepting boys into its primary school, Barat-Burn. The independent Catholic school has operated a co-educational junior program since 1914, while its high school has remained exclusively for girls.
Boys will be admitted into kindergarten for the last time in 2028, with the junior school currently accommodating around 280 students.
Shifting Enrolment Patterns
Families were informed of the change through a letter issued by the school’s principal, Erica Thomas. She noted the ongoing difficulty in attracting a sustainable number of boys despite efforts such as offering scholarships, refining the school’s holistic education approach, and attempting to build year 7 pathways with other schools. Historical data shows male enrolments at Kincoppal-Rose Bay’s primary school have ranged between less than 10 per cent and up to 30 per cent.
In 2019, the school offered 30 scholarships for boys from kindergarten to year 3, attempting to lift male participation. However, these efforts were hindered by increased competition from other schools and the removal of direct high school pathways for boys.
Broader Trend in Independent Schools
As Kincoppal-Rose Bay shifts back to single-sex schooling at the primary level, several other Sydney schools, including Newington and Cranbrook, are instead set to adopt co-education by 2026.
Shore, a boys’ independent school, has likewise announced plans to discontinue its co-ed model at the Northbridge campus for kindergarten to year 2 beginning next year. Shore has operated a co-ed program for early primary since 2003. The school reported that fewer than 10 girls are currently enrolled in years 1 and 2, reflecting a steady decline over the past decade.
Parental Preferences and Long-Term Planning
Shore’s leadership explained that many parents are looking for a K–12 school pathway, leading them to favour single-sex institutions that offer continuity. The junior girls’ program was previously flagged for cancellation in 2018, but parent backlash paused the decision at the time.
The school’s early learning centre will remain co-educational, but from year 3 onwards, Shore continues to operate as a boys-only school.
Community and Institutional Response
Both schools described the shift away from co-education as a response to family choices and enrolment patterns, rather than a strategic shift in ideology. Kincoppal stated its board’s decision followed extensive consultation and review.
The school affirmed its commitment to the 38 boys currently enrolled, as well as those who have accepted places in coming years. The final co-educational cohort is expected to graduate in 2034.
Published 8-May-2025