School parents anxious, sad as Mt Gravatt East’s Seton College set to close

A Brisbane Catholic school which caters for students with disabilities will close in a few months after 60 years, leaving parents sad and anxious about the future of their children.

Parents of current and former Seton College students have expressed their sadness the school will closure within the coming months.

Parents of current and former students of a Brisbane Catholic school have fought off tears as they spoke out about their sadness at the looming closure of a beloved centre for children with disabilities.

Mt Gravatt East’s Seton College will close at the end of the current school year after a review in 2020.

Opened in 1964, it has shrunk from 224 students in 2020 to just 23 in its final year.

All of those remaining at the school were in Year 12. They were in Year 8 when the decision to close was first announced.

Following the 2020 review, former Brisbane Catholic Education executive director Pam Betts said evidence-based research showed children with a disability achieved better educational outcomes if they attendec schools with an inclusive learning environment.

Seton College in Mt Gravatt East. Picture: Richard Walker

But there was a massive backlash from parents who believed a mainstream school environment would be harmful for their children.

Kylie Jensen, whose son Charlie was in his senior year at Seton, said it was extremely sad the school was closing despite Charlie getting the chance to finish his high school years there.

“There’s nothing else like it (Seton),” she said.

“Obviously we’re very glad that we and so many other families had the chance to send their kids to school here, but we’re sad that so many others with kids who need it won’t have the same opportunity.

Kylie Jensen with son Charlie and Charlie’s dad (left).

“We couldn’t imagine what Charlie’s high schooling would have been like if we had to send him to a mainstream school.

“He went to a regular primary school and he was an extremely unhappy kid, but Seton changed that.”

Mrs Jensen has served as a president of the Save Our Seton group, formed after the closure was announced.

Donna Phillips, who also was part of SOS, said her son would not have been able to achieve the things he had were if not attending for the college.

Donna Phillips with her son Jai who graduated from Seton College in 2019.

Her son Jai graduated in 2019 and had since gone on to write a book, which was in the process of being published, and worked at Monte Lupo Arts in Eight Mile Plains.

“My son was so lucky to have attended there when he did as he has been able to form lifelong friendships,” Mrs Phillips said.

“He is a wonderful artist and illustrator. I do not believe he would have been able to achieve these things if it wasn’t for Seton and their unique teaching style.

Jai Phillips and some of his artwork.

“The staff were so invested in the students and focused on their abilities not their disability.

“The past students know how lucky they were to have attended Seton, they are now just another number that will get lost in the education system.”

The almost two-year fight to save the school included petitions and other protest action.

Mrs Jensen said staff went out of their way to make the final year of her son’s schooling special, but she believed Brisbane Catholic Education did not deliver on some of her expectations.

A protest sign outside the school in 2020. Picture: Richard Walker

“We felt a bit ripped off by the fact that the subjects offered was minimal compared to what they were when we were enrolled,” she said.

“This was after the BCE said everything would be business as usual.

“Not that it’s a big deal for us, but Charlie will also not finish with a high school certificate because he won’t have enough points from the subjects they’ve offered.

Seton College closes this year. Picture: Richard Walker

“That’ll be the same for everyone who graduates from this final year.”

Mrs Jensen said her son would go on to study music at TAFE next year.

A BCE spokesman said Seton College was in the final year of a five-year transition program which would “conclude education at the school’’.

“In 2020, Brisbane Catholic Education announced its plans for Seton College, with the then Year 8 class the last to graduate in 2024,’’ he said.

“The college continues to educate 23 Year 12 students who will receive and participate in a traditional graduation experience.

“Seton College staff will be provided with redeployment opportunities within Brisbane Catholic Education school.”