Arabic version: ثانوية إلانورا الحكومية تبدأ إنهاء برنامج كوي جي سي
According to ABC News, Elanora State High School on the Gold Coast will phase out its Cooee GC surfing program, which has combined early-morning surf sessions with senior secondary study since launching in 2017.
The school has told families that no new students will be accepted into the program. Current participants will continue in the existing format until they graduate at the end of 2027.
Cooee GC has offered Year 11 and 12 students a pathway towards the Queensland Certificate of Education while providing opportunities for traineeships, apprenticeships and certificate III qualifications. Students have also been encouraged to volunteer in their communities, including at local surf lifesaving clubs.
Parents said they were devastated by the decision. Sharyn Johnstone said she was “deeply shocked”, while Alle Davidson said her year nine son had been working towards joining the program. Naomi Carter said she had enrolled her child at the school specifically because of Cooee GC.
A Queensland education department spokesperson said the school was developing a new alternative pathways program based on students’ evolving needs and the broader school community. After the final Cooee GC cohort graduates, Palm Beach Currumbin State High School and Miami State High School will be the only Gold Coast public high schools offering surfing programs.
