A private boys’ school in Sydney and three Catholic primary schools in Melbourne are set to shut at the end of the year, forcing some families to urgently search for new schools.
Hartford College in Sydney announced its closure last week. In Melbourne, St Philip’s School in Blackburn North, Ss Peter and Paul’s School in Doncaster East and St Pius X School in Heidelberg West announced similar plans in early September.
The closures could disrupt the education of up to 159 children. Hartford has 35 students enrolled, while the three schools in the Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) system have a combined enrolment of 124.
Parents have reacted with frustration and distress, saying they were given too little time to secure places at alternative schools for their children.
Petitions have been launched at Hartford and Ss Peter and Paul’s in a bid to stop the closures or at least delay them.
The campaign to save Hartford has attracted more than 200 signatures—well above the school’s enrolment of 35 students.
‘Children and teachers are about to lose a school they love, with only weeks’ notice,’ the Hartford petition states.
‘For these children, Hartford can’t simply be swapped for another school without consequence.’
A private boys’ school in Sydney and three Catholic primary schools in Melbourne are due to close at the end of the year, leaving families scrambling to find alternatives
The petition organiser said the limited notice had created major uncertainty about the children’s education in 2027.
‘Parents were never given clear information about how serious things were, or any real chance to help fix them, before the decision to close was made,’ he said.
‘The timing also leaves families in an impossible position as most schools have already filled their 2027 places.
‘Parents are being asked to make rushed, irreversible decisions about their children’s education, siblings and friendships before every reasonable option has been tried.’
A petition organised by parents at Ss Peter and Paul’s School has also gathered momentum, securing more than 80 signatures.
‘The recent announcement to close the school has left our community devastated,’ they wrote.
‘My kids have been attending [the school] and it breaks my heart to think that they might have to switch schools.
‘Having to find another school for them would uproot their lives and that’s a decision no parent wants to face.’
As the future of many students remains uncertain, parents have expressed frustration and devastation, with many criticising the short notice they received
The planned closures have prompted an emotional response from local communities, with parents and supporters voicing their disappointment.
‘So sorry that this has happened to a great school,’ one person wrote.
‘I am so sad to hear what is happening, to do this half way in the first year is unbelievable,’ a second said.
Former St Pius X staff and students also shared similar sentiments about the school.
‘This is such a disaster. When I taught there, it was a school of a thousand children and very committed staff and my time there was the joy of my life,’ one said.
‘It’s very sad. Being there from the beginning, it shaped the person I am,’ a second said.
Despite backlash over the closures, MACS defended the moves, arguing changing demographics and falling student numbers had made the schools unsustainable.
The organisation pointed to St Philip’s School, which has just 33 students, as an example of the low enrolment numbers facing some schools.
The decisions could affect up to 159 students, with 35 enrolled at the Sydney school and a further 124 across the three Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools
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‘Demographic trends in Melbourne’s eastern and southern suburbs continue to evolve,’ a MACS spokesman told Daily Mail.
‘Falling birth rates, changing population patterns and declining enrolments in some established communities have resulted in fewer-school-aged children in a number of areas.
‘Following an extensive review and careful consideration of enrolment patterns, demographic trends and the long-term sustainability of local Catholic education provision, MACS has announced that St Philip’s, Blackburn North, will cease operations at the conclusion of the 2026 school year.’
However, the spokesman said that it wasn’t an easy decision.
‘MACS is committed to ensuring Catholic education remains strong, sustainable and responsive to the needs of communities across Melbourne,’ he said.
‘Transition planning is already underway, with families being offered enrolment pathways to nearby MACS schools.
‘Dedicated support is also being provided to students, families and staff throughout the transition process.
‘These decisions are never made lightly, but reflect MACS’ commitment to responsible stewardship, ensuring resources are directed where they can best support students, families and communities both now and into the future.’
Professor of Social Impact at UTS Business School Rachel Wilson (pictured) said the disruption would affect their academic performance and future opportunities
Hartford College has not publicly provided a detailed explanation for its closure less than four years after opening. However, the Sydney Morning Herald reported that the school had failed to attract enough students.
School chair Peter Foley informed parents of the ‘difficult decision to conclude operations’ and assured them students would be offered places within the Sydney Catholic Schools network.
‘We recognise that you have entrusted your sons to Hartford College and the unique education in the Catholic liberal arts tradition … This was not a decision reached quickly or lightly,’ he said in a letter.
Daily Mail has approached Hartford College for comment.
Rachel Wilson, a professor of social impact at UTS Business School, said changing schools could disrupt students’ education and social development.
‘Closures have significant impacts upon students’ academic outcomes and even long term post-school education and employment,’ she told Daily Mail.
‘Research from other countries where school closures are common shows that closures are associated with decline in test scores, increased behavioural issues and school suspensions, dips in attendance and knock-on effects on post-school education and employment.’
She said organised transfers could help students remain with friends and classmates.
‘Changing is a difficult prospect for families, there are educational and social concerns, but also disruptions to family routines, like travel to school and after school care,’ she said.
Ms Wilson said the closures did not represent a growing national trend, with Australia instead facing shortages of schools and classrooms in fast-growing areas.
‘Australia has a net shortfall of schools, and more specifically, classrooms,’ she said.
‘These current closures are unusual and likely reflect localised population shifts and may also be due to a loss of market share in a highly marketised school system.’
She also said that declining enrolments, demographic changes and falling birth rates weren’t becoming a growing national issue.
‘Australia has had growth in school aged populations since our records began,’ Ms Wilson said.
‘In fact, the issue currently is keeping up with demand for new schools in rapidly expanding suburban and regional developments and new classrooms in already established schools.’
However, she said there was a chance that more schools could close in coming years, although it was unlikely.
‘It is more likely that we continue to face localised school and classroom shortages, particularly in public schools,’ she said.
‘There needs to be careful monitoring of local demographic shifts and strategic management of schools to ensure that all families have access to fee free public schooling.’