St Mary of the Cross MacKillop Catholic Parish school growing fast
Student populations at schools in Epping, Glenroy and Craigieburn have exploded in the past five years. A special Leader analysis has revealed which schools across Melbourne’s north have grown at the fastest rate from 2013. How does your school compare?
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The northern Melbourne schools that are booming have been revealed.
An analysis of Federal Government data has revealed the northern Melbourne region schools where student numbers have risen the most in the past five years.
Between 2013 and 2018, enrolment at St Mary of the Cross MacKillop Catholic Parish Primary School in Epping North has increased by 528.9 per cent, faster than any other school in the region.
The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority figures are the most up to date enrolment numbers that include all state and private schools nationally.
According to the latest public data, student numbers have gone from 70 to 444, the fastest growth in the region.
The second fastest-growing school in the region was Glenroy Private, where the student body increased by 222.4 between 2013 and 2018. Enrolment numbers grew from 98 in 2013 to 316 in 2018.
Over those five years, Al Siraat College had the third biggest enrolment boom in the area 647 more students at the school in 2018 than in 2013 — a 218.6 per cent increase.
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St Mary of the Cross MacKillop Catholic Parish Primary School acting principal Claire Pitcher said their enrolment explosion was down to being in one of the region’s growth corridors.
She said the Epping North school was expecting 540 students next year.
Ms Pitcher said there wasn’t much in the estate when they opened and they had worked hard to build an inclusive and open community.
“Because we were growing, the students have had a very large voice in what the school looks like,” she said.
“Students basically designed the playground — they met with architects and landscapers.
“It’s their school, they own, it’s very much part of their family.”
Ms Pitcher said they put relationships first and teachers and students were on a first-name basis.