Uncertainty remains over Clarkefield school site

The closure of a Macedon Ranges school is still raising questions more than two years later.

The closure of a Macedon Ranges school is still raising questions more than two years later.

Clarkefield Primary School was closed by the State Government in October 2016 after enrolments dropped from 30 students to just six. The old school site has sat vacant since, its fate still undecided.

Many in the close-knit community want answers.

Former school parent and Clarkefield resident Jessica Mason said she wanted some clarity around the closure and the future of the land.

“When we go past, my kids still see the artwork in the window. I just think as a community, we deserve answers as to what is going on,” she said.

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“Clarkefield is a very small area. There were people who would travel from around just to go to that school.”

Education department spokeswoman Kristy Sheridan said the future of the site was “still under consideration by the department”.

“Clarkefield Primary School was destaffed in October 2016,” she said.

“Demand for places at the school has not increased and so contractors have been onsite archiving school records.”

At the time of its closure, an Education Department spokesman told the Leader remaining students had been sent to other schools “where their academic and social needs are being met through daily interaction with other children and access to a wider range of high-quality programs”.

By the time of closure, the principal was on leave and the school was being administered by another principal in Riddells Creek.

Another former parent, who did not wish to be named, said she hoped to see the site used for the community.

“It’s a community and they should have the right to know what’s going on and what’s going to happen to it,” she said.

“They could use it for something that would benefit the Clarkefield community and not just leave it as a waste. There’s a perfect playground there.”

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