Rural and remote students wanting to attend a public selective agricultural boarding high school will now receive early offers, giving them and their families more time to make the transition.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said families in the bush would now be provided advice on possible selection as early as Term 4, Year 5.
“For families who live in rural or very remote areas, sending your child to boarding school is a big decision,” Mr Toole said.
“We have some fantastic selective public boarding schools in NSW, and this will make it so much easier for families and prospective students to apply and attend those schools.”
Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell highlighted how families of students who are seeking to attend one of the three selective agricultural boarding high schools in NSW currently do not receive their placement outcome until late in Year 6, less than 6 months before they start.
“We know that many parents from rural and remote areas have to make boarding school decisions well in advance of when offers are released,” Ms Mitchell said.
“This change will give families the additional time and certainty they need to plan the transition to a boarding school, while making sure high potential and gifted students from rural and remote areas have access to our terrific agricultural schools.”
Early offers will only be made to students deemed geographically isolated, and following an interview and review of their academic merit. Early offers will be available to students commencing with placement offers for Year 7 in 2024.
Students will still be able to apply under current processes as well.
The 3 public selective agricultural boarding schools in NSW are the Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School, Yanco Agricultural High School, and Hurlstone Agricultural High School.
