By 2000 the decision to create Callaghan College had been made.

Wallsend High and Waratah Technology High would provide the middle schooling for Years 7-10 and Jesmond would create a young adult learning environment for Years 11 and 12.

This provided a huge set of challenges - firstly to consult and advise students, parents and teachers and secondly to set up the structures for the senior campus - welfare support, learning strategies, administration procedures and curriculum structures.

A formal link with Newcastle University and the Hunter Institute of TAFE were also established at this time.

Once the decision was made for Waratah, Wallsend and Jesmond to become a College, the staff worked hard to set up the senior campus in a short time.

The senior campus is in a process of constant development, but always working towards the goal of a young adult learning environment providing better choice, appropriate learning and a supportive adult environment.

The Jesmond Campus of Callaghan College welcomed the new Year 11 Cohort in 2001 with a varied and appropriate curriculum. The School was able to offer subjects, which previously each of the three schools of the College had not been able to offer, because of the constraint of student numbers. The large range of subjects available attracted students from outside the normal drawing area to the Jesmond Campus and a special education unit has purpose built facilities to cater for those students with special needs.

Teaching and learning methods and strategies have changed to reflect the different nature of the clientele at the campus. The introduction of technology to enhance communication and the increased use of computers in class work has had an impact on all subjects.

No bells are used to divide sessions of learning which are 75 minutes in length - a marked variation from High School days. Flexible attendance means that students can arrive late at school and leave early if they have no scheduled classes.

Field work and excursions are an important part of the curriculum giving students an understanding of how their studies apply to the real world.

A building program to meet the new needs of the Campus is planned to be completed by the end of 2007.

Current Principal, Ian Nebauer has been a driving force behind the establishment of the new facilities.

Currently two stages have been completed. Refurbishment of the 1967 building and a new Admin Block was part of the first stage. This was followed by a new block housing a computer room, classrooms, a staff house and 100 seat lecture theatre.
Home Economics, Creative Arts and Industrial Technology facilities await the last stages of the rebuilding program.

In the not too distant future, Jesmond Campus will be able to offer the most modern facilities in Newcastle, with state of the art technology, catering for both academic and vocational interests.

The Senior Campus offers great opportunities for student involvement. The Student Representative Forum provides leadership opportunities, plans dances and raises money for charity.

There are, however, fewer social activities and excursions, particularly those to Jindabyne, that were a part of the 80s and 90s senior students’ lives.

There are special interest groups on campus - The Environmental Club for example has been busy over the last few years organizing tree planting and energy saving schemes and relaxation has become a popular relief from the stresses of the HSC.

Presentation days and graduation ceremonies have become highly formal.

Farewells to the graduating class are no longer held in the Bini, but at larger function centres in the city.

These occasions are valued by students as they are recognised for their successes in the Senior years.

There is no formal sport organised as a regular part of the curriculum, but a wide range of Zone and Knockout Teams compete and fun lunchtime sporting activities are utilised.

There are many excellent sportspeople who represent at Regional or higher levels in many different sports, and of course, subjects exist which include sporting activity.

The use of the University of Newcastle facilities and personnel continued into the Campus operation and the favourable relationship enjoyed by the School and University during the 1990s has been further enhanced.

Jesmond students regularly use the Sport Forum and the Biology and Chemistry Labs; College Presentations take place in the Great Hall, Creative Arts students from the University act as mentors for Jesmond students and lecturers are available to staff and students.

The demand for subjects with a clear career goal has been very obvious and the Campus has been very quick to meet that demand. The Jesmond Campus has a large range of vocational subjects including Hospitality, Retail, Music Industry, IT and Business, as well as the full range of academic courses.

The success in being able to meet students’ needs has been assisted through strong involvement from both the University of Newcastle and the Hunter Institute of TAFE.