Single-Sex vs Co-Educational Schooling for Riverland Students
Girls’ colleges continue to thrive as more boys’ schools shift to co-ed, showcasing an interesting phenomenon of girls’ presence enhancing boys learning outcomes.
With the Riverland's Own Field Days set for the 16th & 17th of September, many exhibitors are descending on the region with many local parents weighing up the benefits of co-ed vs single-sex schooling.
Loreto College Marryatville is one Adelaide school taking strides for girls’ education.
Research findings have consistently highlighted that girls in single-sex schools choose to participate in mathematics, technology, and science subjects at rates far higher than the national average.
“If we are to continue encouraging girls to participate in STEM subjects and pursue STEM-based careers, we must offer them the learning environment to do so. I passionately believe this is within a girl’s school setting,” said Dr Nicole Archard, Principal of Loreto College Marryatville.
Dr Archard’s view is supported by research that suggests girls do not have higher learning or well-being outcomes when placed in co-ed environments – but boys do. With further suggestions that girls can provide a positive influence on boys’ learning by helping to moderate boys’ behaviour.
“There is of course a reason why a growing number of boy’s schools are making this the co-ed transition – it benefits their male students. What is not considered within the debate is the impact this will have on a generation of girls. Not only in terms of STEM participation but also girls’ overall academic, social, and emotional wellbeing,” said Dr Archard.
Earlier this year St Paul’s College shifted from an all-boys to co-ed model earlier this year, leaving only four all-boys schools in South Australia. Girls schools are not on the same decline with twelve all-girls schools in the state.
As a small community of 58 boarders, Loreto Marryatville is proud to maintain an environment that feels like a family for the girls under the College’s care.
“Our role as a girl’s school is not to replicate the real world, but to challenge it. What we do in a girls’ school is create an environment where girls learn to have a voice and build the self-confidence to participate in every subject available to them.”
In speaking to the opportunities afforded through Boarding, Dr Archard says:
“Becoming a Boarder provides the girls an opportunity to learn independence, resilience as well as develop confidence. Boarding students improve their academic results by having access to greater resources and learning opportunities than they might have had at home. A structured homework and study time also assists the girls to develop good study habits and become autonomous learners.”
“We ensure girls are well prepared for tertiary study, developing the resilience and independence needed to live away from home. They benefit from their experience in the Boarding environment where learning is challenged, and students are encouraged to think creatively, critically, and independently.”
Further information on the Loreto Marryatville Boarding Program can be accessed here.
About Loreto College
Loreto College Marryatville is South Australia’s leading all-girls day and boarding school, catering for students from Early Learning to Year 12.
Established in 1905, a Loreto education is built on a 400-year-old tradition first inspired by the founder of Loreto schools worldwide, Mary Ward, and encapsulates her beliefs in delivering an education which inspires strong, passionate, and confident girls and young women.
In delivering this view, Loreto College Marryatville provides girls with a well-rounded education where students are presented with a broad range of opportunities and given the support and encouragement to become confident and engaged learners with the knowledge and skills to make a difference to their world.
About Dr Nicole Archard
Dr Nicole Archard is a highly qualified, passionate advocate for girls’ education. With a Doctor in Philosophy in Gender, Girls’ Education, Women and Leadership, in addition to three Masters’ degrees, she is well qualified to champion that view.
Dr Archard believes that a girls' school environment is the best place for girls to be educated and that it equips them to challenge gender stereotypes, develop a confident and articulate voice, develop leadership capacity in all forums, and be comfortable within themselves.
A published author and accomplished public speaker, Dr Archard advocates nationally and internationally on the topics of gender, women and leadership, girls and STEM, and girls’ education.
Shannon Muscolino