It has been 27 years since full co-education began at Saint Ignatius’ College. In 1996 girls began attending the College from Reception to Year 12. This was a highly significant moment in the history of our College, leading to a transformative evolution of our identity.

Our journey towards co-education began in 1971 when girls eager to complete their secondary studies at Ignatius were welcomed in Years 11 and 12. The College benefited enormously from this initiative, and it sparked a desire to further expand this enrichment in the years to come. In our first year of full co-education at Saint Ignatius’ College, 147 girls joined 878 male peers. Today we are proud to have shaped the futures of over 2000 female students with an Ignatian education.

According to Head of Junior School, Nic Boys, co-education has enriched Saint Ignatius’ College and its educational offering, preparing students for the world beyond the school gates.

Our students are experiencing many benefits from being in a co-ed environment, but what is most important to me is that we are preparing them for a mixed-gender world outside of school.

Through the process of learning side by side, girls and boys engage in cooperation and collaboration, which empowers them to both embrace and rejoice in their distinctions and shared traits. They develop skills in understanding new perspectives and interests and navigating different styles of learning and operating.

This is a formative experience. The interdependent nature of co-educational schooling becomes part of the formation for life.

Senior School Director of Teaching and Learning, Peter Rossi, says the co-educational environment at the College has fostered a rich and diverse learning culture that has contributed to excellent academic outcomes over the years.

We put a lot of focus on raising each individual student to be a confident and competent learner and realise that all learning journeys are unique.

Over the years we have witnessed both our girls and boys consistently achieve outstanding academic results at the Senior School.

Our Year 12 SACE results show that a high academic performance isn’t geared towards one gender. In fact, last year’s results showed a shared dux position between a male and female student.

With a son and daughter, Junior School parents Michael and Belinda Romeo wanted a co-educational school for their children, Samuel and Chloe.

For us, a co-ed school was the best choice for our children as we believe it allows them to develop a broader range of social skills that will benefit them in their post-schooling.

We have enjoyed seeing our children's confidence and learning grow over the last few years from the co-ed environment, which our children may not have experienced in the same way if they attended a single-sex school.

Old Ignatian, Lucia Doyle (Class of 2023), says the diverse friendships she has been able to make has been one of the things she has valued most about her education at a co-ed school.

Inter-gender friendships at co-ed schools are more natural and authentic, and in general there is more opportunity to make those friendships.

While filming a recent episode of Saint Ignatius' College's official podcast, Ignatius Talking, Olivia Savvas MP (Class of 2013) and current students Gabby and Mehar shared their perspectives on being educated in a co-ed environment. Listen below:

Proud to be Co-ed