Parents 'devastated' after Gold Coast high school axes surfing program

Parents and students at Elanora State High School on the Gold Coast are expressing deep dismay after the school announced it is discontinuing its popular Cooee GC surfing program. The initiative, which has run for nearly ten years, allowed students to combine their academic studies with early morning surf sessions.

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I couldn't believe that this program was going to be shut down knowing everything and how well rooted it is within the community.

Sharyn Johnstone, a parent whose child is in the program, described the decision as "deeply shocking." She questioned why a successful and community-rooted program would be shut down. Families hoping to enroll younger children in the future felt blindsided by the announcement, which came via email on May 27. The school will not accept new students into the program.

Launched in 2017, Cooee GC offered Year 11 and 12 students an alternative educational model. It integrated 6 a.m. surf sessions with classroom learning, leading to a Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE). Students also had opportunities to pursue traineeships, apprenticeships, and certificate III qualifications, and were encouraged to engage in community service, such as volunteering at local surf lifesaving clubs.

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He is devastated as it's something he's been working towards for a very long time.

Alle Davidson shared her disappointment, as she had planned for her Year 9 son to join the program. She highlighted that the program provided a vital alternative for students who struggle in traditional academic settings. "The traditional model of schooling is simply not for all," Davidson stated, emphasizing the program's role in offering varied learning pathways and safety nets for students.

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We all now know that the traditional model of schooling is simply not for all, so here was an existing opportunity to offer varied learning pathways that meant more students had more safety nets available to them and a higher chance of finding their way after finishing school.

Davidson also wished the school board had consulted the wider community before making the decision. She pointed to the program's positive impact beyond academics, noting the Cooee kids' contributions to community initiatives like flood clean-ups, mental health awareness, environmental advocacy, and celebrating First Nations culture. The program has received accolades from the Queensland government for its innovative approach.

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This program and what the Cooee kids have done over many years creates ripples of good and this should only grow.