When Frida Meares' brother heard at assembly that his school, Canberra Grammar, was going co-ed the first thing he did was text his little sister to let her know.
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In 2017 she will join him in the first intake of girls into the senior school campus, as one of about 50 girls coming into Year 7. About 20 girls will start in Year 11. This year girls were accepted into Years 3 and 4 on the junior campus
On Monday, all new senior students joined in an experience day, with girls and boys who will be new to the senior school in 2017 attending classes and mixing with current students.
Meares, 11, who is currently at Gundaroo Primary School, says her main challenge will be adjusting to the size of the school.
"I come from a school of less than 100 so being in a much bigger school might take some adjustment," she says. The current enrolment of CGS is 1750.
"But I'm really looking forward to all the new opportunities, more science and coding, which I'm really interested in."
Charlize King's brother, who is in Year 8, isn't quite as excited to have his sister attending the school, "but he would come home with stories, ever since he started in Year 3, and I wanted to be part of that," she says.
King, 11, whose mother works at CGS, is currently attending Canberra Girls Grammar School and says "a lot" of her friends are coming over.
"But everything changes in senior school anyway, I'm just really looking forward to it."
Annabelle Lester, 15, will be one of the small cohort entering Year 11. She attends St Mary MacKillop College, her mother also works at CGS.
"I'm really looking forward to the drama program and doing the HSC which is more widely recognised," she says.
Of the 20 Year 11 girls about nine had indicated they wanted to study the HSC, the remaining students will study for the International Baccalaureate.
CGS principal Dr Justin Garrick said it had been an exciting morning watching the girls and boys explore the campus together.
He recognises the challenges ahead but is confident the transition will be well handled, both by the students and the school community.
"The challenge will be making this seem normal as rapidly as possible," Dr Garrick said.
"At this stage there's a natural newness and awkwardness and the sooner we get through that the better."
He said the girls were already bringing different perspectives and a new sense of energy and excitement.
"Giving the boys and girls a chance to shape the future of the school, to make institutional change, cultural change, that's a really valuable educational experience."
He recognised that many in the school community were unhappy when the announcement was made.
"I understand the initial strength of feelings about the change and respect the position that everyone came from, whichever side of the fence they were on," he said.
"At this stage I hope everyone feels confident that we're well prepared, that the boys and girls are going to get on well together and work well together, and there's an opportunity now to give the school an exciting new future."
Dr Garrick said infrastructure changes were in train.
"It's either done or being done over the next few months and there'll be further building work to the school over the years ahead which will obviously incorporate mixed gender facilities as well."
Girls had moved across from many Canberra schools, including CGGS, Radford College, Daramalan College and Telopea High. Several overseas students had also enrolled
From 2018, all years of high school will be open to girls and there will also be girls in every year in the primary school.
