August 4th, 2026Clarkes Hill primary will close at the end of the 2026

It is with great sadness that the Diocese of Ballarat Catholic Education Ltd (DOBCEL) has made the difficult decision to close St Mary’s Primary School, Clarkes Hill at the end of the 2026 school year. This decision has been made in the context of forecast 2027 enrolments falling below the level required for non-government schools to meet VRQA regulatory obligations and the school’s financial viability.

The decision has also been informed by the changing financial context for schools, including the anticipated impact of the proposed Enterprise Bargaining Agreement. While DOBCEL supports fair and appropriate remuneration for teachers and staff, the associated increase in staffing costs means long-term viability can no longer be assessed by enrolment numbers alone.

In recent years, Principal Clare Scanlon and the entire St Mary’s staff have worked tirelessly to promote the unique strengths of the school, deepen connections with families and continue offering a profoundly personal Catholic education in a small rural setting.

Despite these sustained efforts, broader enrolment growth has not materialised to the extent required to ensure the school’s long-term sustainability. Nevertheless, we remain deeply proud of the commitment, care and professionalism shown by the St Mary’s team, and of the education and pastoral support they continue to provide for every child. This support will remain in place through to the end of the school year, with learning continuing in a calm, consistent and uninterrupted way.

This has been, and continues to be, a particularly challenging time for Principal Clare Scanlon, who has led the community through this difficult period with compassion, steadiness and a clear focus on the wellbeing of students, families and staff. I am very grateful for Clare’s leadership.

I have met with the staff and families of St Mary’s to discuss how we can best support students to continue receiving the high-quality Catholic education they deserve. Catholic Education Ballarat will work closely with families impacted by this decision to help them explore schooling options for 2027, with nearby Catholic schools also ready to assist families through the enrolment process and provide support over the coming months.

Similarly, staff of St Mary’s will be fully supported to understand their options and career opportunities, including redeployment within other Catholic schools in the Diocese, if desired.

St Mary’s Primary School opened in 1946 to provide Catholic education for the children of the farming community of Clarkes Hill and surrounding districts. Built through local fundraising and hard work, without government funding assistance, the school stands as a testament to the commitment and generosity of the community that brought it into being. For 80 years, generations of local families have been part of the St Mary’s story, with many students following in the footsteps of parents and grandparents who were also educated there.

The school’s history is woven into the physical fabric of the site, from the commemorative bricks laid for its 50th anniversary and the time capsule beneath them, to the mural painted in 1996 to mark 50 years of Catholic education at St Mary’s. These markers speak to a community that has cherished its school and the place it has held in the life and heart of Clarkes Hill for decades.

Above all, we acknowledge the families who have chosen St Mary’s across generations, recognising their deep commitment to a school where children have been known by name, encouraged to contribute and supported to grow in faith, learning and friendship.

Opportunities to recognise the contribution of the school, and all who have played a part in its proud and distinctive history, will be planned during the remainder of the year.

DOBCEL continues to advocate for the important role that small Catholic schools play in rural and regional communities, providing parental choice in education and contributing to the strength, identity and vitality of local communities.

I take solace in the fact that Catholic education throughout the Diocese of Ballarat continues to grow, now educating almost 19,000 students across 62 schools.

I ask for your prayerful support and understanding as we walk with the St Mary’s community through this challenging time.