Brookvale Public School families are seeking clarity on Brookvale high school catchment arrangements after their intake alignment remained with Cromer Campus despite Freshwater High being closer.
Brookvale High School Catchment Changes In Context
New Northern Beaches high school intake areas were released in 2024, alongside plans for Freshwater Senior Campus to transition into a full Year 7 to Year 12 high school.
Brookvale Public School families say they expected rezoning as part of the broader Northern Beaches adjustments, but the school remained aligned to Northern Beaches Secondary College Cromer Campus.
Distance And Access At The Centre Of Brookvale Concerns
The distances cited by the Brookvale school community place Cromer Campus at 3.7 kilometres from Brookvale Public School, while Freshwater High is described as 1.3 kilometres away along Winbourne Road.
Parents have raised concerns about the practical impact of travel, including reports that trips to Cromer can take about 45 minutes by bus and may involve transfers or timetable issues.
Department Rationale And Boundary Alignment
In a formal response to questions about the Brookvale alignment, the Department said intake adjustments followed consultation and were informed by enrolment modelling, projected student demand, teaching space capacity, and alignment between feeder primary schools and secondary intake areas.
The Department also stated Brookvale Public School’s alignment with Cromer Campus remained consistent with its previous high school alignment.
Community Concerns And Next Steps
The Brookvale P&C has raised concerns that the outcome may disadvantage a culturally diverse school community, including families navigating the process in a second language.
The Department has said it has met with the school’s P&C and will continue working with the principal as changes take effect. Enrolment patterns and Year 7 placement data across the Northern Beaches are to be monitored over 2026 and 2027.
Families can also apply for non-local enrolment, with Forest High expected to have capacity for non-local enrolments in 2026 and beyond, subject to the school’s criteria and available places. An appeal pathway is available for non-local decisions.
Published 15-Dec-2025