Lindfield Learning Village Transforms to Lindfield College

0:00It's March 30th. Welcome in. This is Sydney News Today, where local news meets AI. I'm Cory with the story. Linfield Learning Village, that bold Sydney public school experiment is hitting reset. They're swapping the name for Linfield College, rolling out compulsory uniforms, traditional report cards for every kid, and ditching quirky terms. Like Kit Kat for lunch, new principal Ben Reckick, who stepped in last December, calls it the end of the trial phase. They're going full-on comprehensive public school now. Launched back in 2019 on the upper north shore, it drew global hype with over 3,000 on the wait list for its nobels. Project-driven setup where kids progress by skill, not age, and call teachers by first names. But five years later, the buzz faded, especially with local rezoning delays pushing families toward top schools, like Halara High. Parents are split down the middle. Our families love the supportive vibe and strong teaching, but prospective locals in

1:00the catchment hesitate over the casual look and structure. A survey of over 1,000 folks showed kids and staff want tighter discipline and simpler reporting, while ex-family cited weak academics, or chaos, as reasons to bounce. Academics are actually shining. One quarter of last year's seniors nailed top HSC bands and napland beat state averages. Big plans to amp that with gifted arts in STEM programs, a new library, year 12 study spot, and partnerships with primaries, all while keeping, underused gyms like studios and courts buzzing. The course stays smart, first name rapport, bell-free self-management, and cross-subject quests fuel those results. With changes in play, Linfield's shedding the oddball rep, gearing up to draw in the neighborhood and own its spot as a top public powerhouse.