The new millennium
Arising from the consideration that vocational success in the 21st century would be almost completely separated from issues of gender, in 1997 the School Council decided that St Andrew's students would be better prepared for post-school work, study and lifestyle choices if the School became co-educational in Years 10, 11 and 12. Accordingly in Term 1, 1999 the first 76 girls commenced in the Senior College. St Andrew's had become the only co-educational school in the City.
Co-education proved to be a resounding success. Female students brought a new and diversified atmosphere to the School's character. The girls benefited from learning in the city and the School's collegial environment while the senior boys matured and developed responsible attitudes to their female counterparts. From 2002 female enrolment had grown to around 150-160 girls in the Senior College in Years 10-12. Enrolments have remained at this maximum budgeted level ever since.
As a pointer to the School further strengthening its senior college facilities, in mid-1999 the School Foundation purchased Level 3 in 51 Druitt Street (the floor immediately above the Senior College and the floor for which the School had declined its purchase option approximately 8 years earlier). Students occupied this floor from late-2003 when the commercial tenancy concluded and fit out was completed.
To maintain the School's high quality education facilities, in Term 1, 2000 a new Leadership and Enterprise Centre opened at 495 Kent Street, immediately opposite St Andrew's House. This four-storey building contains classrooms, drama rooms, student meeting rooms and a Year 11 student common room. In addition, a new Year 7 learning centre opened on Level 6 in St Andrew's House. Part of this floor had become vacant following downsizing by the building's major tenant, the Australian Bureau of Census and Statistics and this space had been rented by the School.
During 2000 the School signed a licensing agreement with St Andrew's College at the University of Sydney to use its oval which was upgraded with financial support from the School Foundation. The College's historic Gillespie Hall on the eastern side of the oval was refurbished as a post-match hospitality centre and meeting and presentation room for the Old Andreans Association. The smaller Angus Hall was rented to provide sports administration facilities. The relationship between the School and St Andrew's College positively impacted on the School's growing sports competitiveness and general student fitness.
In 2000 the School Council agreed to pursue the possible purchase of its School's facilities in St Andrew's House through a negotiated financial arrangement with the Glebe Administration Board which manages the building under agreement from the Anglican Church owners. Such a purchase would avoid the occupation cessation clause in the School's Occupation Ordinance which required the School to vacate the buidling by 2016. As part of a long term borrowing agreement with the Glebe Board, in February 2001 the School signed a 120-year lease to occupy Levels 6, 7 and 8 and the rooftop recreation space in St Andrew's House. Such a lease term is tantamount to freehold ownership although the School trusts such a lease will convert to direct ownership pending possible strata negotiations in the future.
This historic agreement confirmed the School's 'ownership' of its educational facilities and secured a permanent 'home' for the School in the City, adjacent to the Cathedral, where it commenced operating more than a century ago. The School Council recognised that the School's central city siting would sustain its broad socio-economic enrolment philosophy and develop opportunities for City-based learning.
This purchase confirmed the School's symbiotic link with St Andrew's Cathedral from where the School derives its name, its choral traditions and its spiritual heritage. Bishop Barry's vision of establishing a school based on these choral and musical traditions and centred on sound Christian values, had been fulfilled. For those School community members who recalled the turbulent days of the early seventies, the School's occupation permanency in St Andrew's House became a reality.
School ownership of its facilities provided the security to undertake extensive educational improvements in St Andrew's House. Modern teaching and library facilities were installed on Level 6 and a new music centre was built on Level 8 to link with the Fairfax Music Room. Level 7 was extensively modernised to include a new mathematics centre while certain administrative offices were transferred to the St Andrew's House Ground Floor although these staff returned to Level 6 from January 2004.
An English Centre and a History Centre was established in the Senior College and a new study hall and computer internet research area was installed in the College library area.
During 2002 the School reviewed the possiblity of acquiring three additional floors in St Andrew's House but negotiations with Anglican Church authorities achieved no firm outcome. Early in 2002 the School purchased the 51 Druitt Street Ground Floor from the Sydney City Council. Subsequently early in 2003 the School acquired Level 4 from its investor owner. Both floors will be converted into senior learning facilities at the completion of the respective commercial tenancies. These purchases mean the School owns the six lower floors in 51 Druitt Street comprising around 7,270 sq m of learning space. At the commencement of 2004 enrolments total around 1,030 students, comprising 170 Junior School, 370 Middle School and 490 Senior College students.
As a result of the pending occupation of Levels 3 and 4 in the Senior College, during 2003 the School sought expressions of interest from a number of leading Sydney architectural firms to produce a Master Plan that would drive the School's long term expression for new and upgraded teaching and learning facilities in St Andrew's House and the Senior College. The Cox Group presented certain innovative design concepts late in 2003. These proposals are being reviewed. Given the financial resources to undertake these plans the changes will mean the School will be virtually completely remodelled in those areas that have not already undergone refurbishent or into which new learning facilities have been built.
