Enrolments in Victorian regional schools dwindle, others shut

Small schools across regional Victoria are at risk of closing as bigger education centres threaten their existence. See those battling most.

Small regional schools across Victoria are at risk of closing as bigger education centres threaten their existence.

Katunga South Primary, 40km north of Shepparton in the state’s north with only three students, will close its doors later this month after educating the region for 141 years.

Nearby, Dhurringile Primary School, 25 minutes south of Shepparton, is Victoria’s smallest school with just two students.

Its principal, Lisa Wilson, is also the school’s cleaner, groundskeeper, HR and communications person and teacher.

But despite its dwindling numbers, the community is determined to keep its school open — a similar story across many regional Victorian towns.

“Our community decided that they wanted our school to stay, but it’s not to say that next year they might decide to close,” Ms Wilson said.

From 2022 2400 students will be crammed into Greater Shepparton Secondary College at Shepparton across four different government secondary schools — almost certainly guaranteeing the education destination for many high school students.

As for nearby primary schools, Ms Wilson said Dhurringile had vowed to stay open because of its attachment and dedication to its community.

“In small schools we’re able to cater for the individual needs of students more,” she said.

Walwa Primary School, in northeast Victoria, has 11 students and its principal Louise Kilgour said schools with fewer students could better prepare children for the “real world”.

“In a small school it’s more reflective of real life,” she said.

“In real life you don’t get to pick who you hang around, you have to deal with the medley of life and learn how to get along with other people who aren’t necessarily your age or personality.”

Regardless of a school’s size, however, Ms Kilgour said it was up to the town’s council to decide whether it would stay open, not the Education Department.

In other parts of the state schools have been able to stop enrolments from plummeting.

Queenscliff Primary School only had 10 students in 2016 but enrolments skyrocketed to 158 this year.

Principal Richard Buckingham said it was a direct result of promoting the school.

“Initially, we advertised for enrolments in local newspapers and through social media but we have not needed to do this for the past few years,” he said.

“Our school is currently at capacity ... QPS is the little school that could.”

Queenscliff Primary School year two students Loretta Boyd and Emilia Horbowsky.

Queenscliff year six students Nina Allport and Lily Addie.

Meanwhile, Wonthaggi Secondary College is is expanding its campus after receiving $25.76 million in the 2020-21 state budget.

Bass Coast College will be home to 1500 students and include a second junior campus with “world-class facilities”.

Principal Darren Parker said the new school guaranteed its future as the “sole provider of quality government secondary education in the Bass Coast region”.

Wonthaggi Secondary College will merge with San Remo Junior Secondary Collgee next year. Picture: Artist impression

It will cater for 1500 students and cost $25 million to build. Picture: Artist impression

Victoria’s smallest primary schools:

2 students – Dhurringile Primary School

2 students – Ultima Primary School

4 students – Amphitheatre Primary School

4 students – Yapeet Primary School

5 students – Katunga South Primary School

5 students – Laharum Primary School

5 students – Lake Charm Primary School