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

Parents in Gold Coast, Queensland, are devastated as Elanora State High School is phasing out its acclaimed Cooee GC axes surfing program, which has been running for almost a decade. The decision has left families and students deeply shocked.

Cooee GC Program's End

For almost a decade, students at Elanora State High have been able to start their school day chasing waves at sunrise before swapping their surfboards for textbooks. The unique pathway is facing its final chapter, with the school deciding to phase out its acclaimed Cooee GC surfing program.

The decision has left parents and students devastated. Parent Sharyn Johnstone, whose child is enrolled in the program, said she was 'deeply shocked' by the decision. She said families with younger children who had been hoping to join the program in the future were blindsided. '[They're] obviously sad that this isn't going to be a pathway for their girl or boy,' Ms Johnstone said.

School's New Pathways Program

Since launching in 2017, Cooee GC has provided Year 11 and 12 students with an alternative approach to education, combining 6am surf sessions with classroom learning and career pathways. Students work towards their Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) while also having the opportunity to complete traineeships, apprenticeships and certificate III qualifications in fields of their choice.

They are also encouraged to give back to their community through opportunities such as volunteering at their local surf lifesaving club.

Community Impact and Future

Questions put to the school about its reasons for ending the program were referred to Queensland's education department. 'Based on the evolving needs of students and the broader school community, the school is developing a new alternative pathways program which aligns with the school's broader curriculum, industry partnerships and subject offerings as well as students' strengths, aspirations and goals,' a spokesperson for the education department said.

The program will continue in its current format until participating students graduate at the end of 2027. When the final cohort graduates in 2027, Palm Beach Currumbin State High School and Miami State High School will be the only Gold Coast public high schools continuing to offer surfing programs.