Longest School Holidays on Record Push Shire Parents to Breaking Point: Rumours of Cronulla Boarding School Emerge

Finn Seabrook | Local Correspondent | Sutherland Shire Gazette

31 January 2025

This summer, Sutherland Shire parents have faced their most formidable challenge yet: the longest school holidays in NSW history. With public holidays lining up perfectly and staff development days moved to January 2025, the break has dragged on for weeks, leaving parents teetering on the brink of madness.

“I thought I could manage,” confessed Lisa from Gymea, now clutching her third coffee of the morning. “But by week six, I was frantically searching for ‘boarding schools near Cronulla.’"

In a surprising twist, rumours are swirling about plans to establish a Hogwarts-style boarding school in Cronulla, Sutherland Shire. The idea, which began as a joke on local Facebook groups, has gained traction, with GoFundMe pages popping up to finance the dream. “I’ll donate whatever it takes,” said Greg from Miranda. “I love my kids, but I also love my sanity.”

This marks a major shift in the Shire’s parenting philosophy. Historically, parents have fled the elite boarding school culture of Sydney’s eastern suburbs, opting instead for a laid-back lifestyle of beach days and outdoor fun. But seven weeks of sibling arguments, shattered Wi-Fi limits, and incessant cries of “I’m bored” have made even the most devoted beach-loving families reconsider their stance.

“Honestly, I moved here for the relaxed vibe and the idea of being more hands-on with my kids,” said Sharon from Caringbah. “Now, I’m fantasizing about packing them off to Shirewarts—sorry, Cronulla Boarding School—just for some peace and quiet.”

Adding fuel to the fire, many parents say the chaos has been amplified by Christmas gifts like fat-wheeled e-bikes, which have turned children into zippy, mobile chaos machines. “They’re everywhere, zooming around dangerously like little Mad Max extras,” grumbled Pete from Sylvania.

While nothing is official, the proposed school would cater to both the overwhelmed parent and the over-energetic child, with features like beach-resistant lockers, surfing electives, and “Intro to Barista Skills” for tweens who’ve grown too accustomed to café outings and babycinos. 

As parents countdown the days until term starts, the rumoured Cronulla boarding school represents more than just a pipe dream—it’s a beacon of hope in what feels like the longest summer ever.