Why more Hunter Region families are choosing an alternative path through high school
Why more Hunter Region families are choosing an alternative path through high school
Something significant is happening in NSW education. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics Schools 2025 data, independent school enrolments grew by 6,816 students last year while government school enrolments fell by 6,959. Independent schools now educate one in five NSW students, up from just 13 per cent in 2000, and two thirds of all additional students enrolled in NSW since 2000 have chosen an independent school.
Families are not making this shift by accident. As Independent Schools NSW Chief Executive Margery Evans noted, parents are consciously seeking schools that reflect their values, with wellbeing programs, strong community links and genuine investment in each child’s future among the key drivers.
At Alesco Secondary College, that is exactly what we offer.
“The growth we are seeing in independent school enrolments across NSW reflects something families have always known – that the right environment makes all the difference. At Alesco, we have built a school around that belief from the ground up,” CEO, Helga Smit said.
A school built around wellbeing and learning
Alesco is an independent secondary school serving Years 9 to 12 across the Hunter Region, with campuses in Cooks Hill, Charlestown, Woodberry, Northlakes, Raymond Terrace, Tomaree, Tuncurry and Abermain. Our name comes from the Latin word for growth and maturity, and that philosophy underpins everything we do.
We believe wellbeing and learning must work together. Alongside a NESA-accredited curriculum with pathways to the HSC, every Alesco student participates in a dedicated Wellbeing program that builds practical skills for managing emotions, navigating relationships and developing resilience for life beyond school.
Small campuses, personalised programs
Every Alesco campus is intentionally small. Smaller class sizes mean staff genuinely know each student, and every education plan is tailored to the individual’s needs: academically, emotionally and socially. Students are treated as capable young adults, involved in decisions about their own learning, and never expected to simply fit a mould.
For students who have felt disengaged, anxious or unsupported in a mainstream environment, this difference is significant. Alesco is a school students choose to attend, and that choice is the starting point for real engagement and real progress.
Our parent and student survey conducted in 2025 revealed that nearly all survey respondents had a positive experience with Alesco:
- 97% of parents felt that Alesco brings out the best in their child
- 98% of students felt that Alesco helps them work toward their goals
- 96% of students said they felt accepted at Alesco
- 98% of students said they felt safe at Alesco
“Every student who walks through our door has the capacity to succeed. Our job is to create the conditions where that can actually happen, and for many young people, that means a smaller, more personal environment where they feel genuinely known and supported,” Alesco Principal, Mark Rudd, said.
Is Alesco right for your family?
Alesco is not the right fit for every student, and we would not claim otherwise. It is designed specifically for young people in Years 9 to 12 who are finding mainstream schooling difficult, whether due to anxiety, disengagement, learning differences or social challenges. Students who do well at Alesco are typically those who benefit from smaller class sizes, a more flexible approach to curriculum, and a school environment where wellbeing support is built into the day rather than offered as an afterthought.
It is also worth knowing that Alesco is a choice, not a default. All applications go through a screening process to ensure each student is a genuine fit for the programme and the campus community. Enrolment is not guaranteed, and places are offered based on availability and suitability.
If your child is currently disengaged, reluctant to attend school or struggling to get the support they need in a mainstream setting, Alesco is worth considering.
To find out more or to start an application, visit atwea.edu.au/high-school-at-alesco or call 02 4925 4200.
