St Clare's College, a girls-only school of more than 60 years, is considering a massive change and becoming co-educational.
While no decision has been made at this stage, the consultation process is expected to be finalised in early 2027 with any potential changes starting in 2028.
In an email to parents and carers sent on Friday, August 21, principal Dr Ann Cleary outlined the next steps.
"It is important to be clear: no decision has yet been made. The possible future of co-education at St Clare's College is only one option being considered," she said.
The change is being considered as part of the Catholic Education Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn's new action plan for the next seven years.
The plan includes piloting a "cathedral precinct" bringing together St Bede's Primary School in Red Hill, St Benedict's Primary School in Narrabundah, St Gregory's Primary School in Queanbeyan and St Clare's.
St Clare's, a secondary college in Griffith, has been a girls-only school since it opened in 1965. The school website prominently features the words: "St Clare's College is an all-girls school, for all girls."
In the email, Dr Cleary said the plan included consultation with schools about "future opportunities for co-educational secondary education on the south side of Canberra".
"I fully appreciate that questions about the future of our school community are significant," she stated.
"My commitment to you as principal of St Clare's is to approach this process carefully, respectfully and transparently, and to listen deeply to the students, staff and families.
"I am grateful for the contribution of parents and carers to the long and proud history of all-girls education that has been delivered for over half a century at St Clare's College."
An attached letter from archdiocese executive director David de Carvalho, said he appreciated that "even raising this possibility may cause concern for some families, students, staff and alumni".
He said a survey was conducted earlier this year of parents with kindergarten to year five children in Catholic schools in the ACT, Queanbeyan and Yass.
"The results indicated strong parent demand for additional co-educational secondary colleges on the south side of Canberra," Mr de Carvalho stated.
The archdiocese is also considering whether existing schools in the south-west of Canberra could be expanded or repurposed, and whether land release in NSW could help with demand.
"Before any decision is made, [the archdiocese] will undertake a genuine consultation process," Mr de Carvalho said in the letter.
"Families, students, staff, alumni and other affected school communities will have opportunities to ask questions, raise concerns and share their views."
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