Revealed: Geelong’s fastest growing schools and the ones going backwards

Geelong’s fastest growing schools, and the ones going backward, have been revealed by a new analysis. SEARCH FOR YOUR SCHOOL

Lisieux Catholic Primary School is the fastest growing school in Geelong. Principal Susan Ryan with students Ezra Davies, Chloe Pearson, Ruby Gooch and Jack Prowse. Picture: Brad Fleet

Geelong’s fastest growing schools – and the ones going backwards – have been revealed.

A school built to cater for the exponential population growth of a seaside town has had the biggest boom in enrolment numbers, a new analysis has found.

An analysis of federal government data has revealed every school in the Geelong and Surf Coast region’s student enrolment trajectory over the past five years – exposing where student numbers have risen and declined the most.

Lisieux Catholic Primary School in Torquay was found to be the region’s fastest growing school, with enrolments increasing by 484 per cent in the five years from 2018 to 2022.

The second fastest growing school was Torquay Coast Primary School with a 296 per cent increase, while Armstrong Creek School recorded the third biggest change with a 218 per cent increase.

Lisieux Catholic Primary School Principal Susan Ryan (centre) said the school would boast 350 students next year. Picture: Brad Fleet

Lisieux principal Susan Ryan said the school, opened in 2018 with 43 foundation students, was built to cater for “exponential population growth” in north Torquay.

Dr Ryan said the demand had been felt, with the school set to boast 350 students in 2024.

“Many young families have established their homes in this area, where living close to the sea and being part of a close community are real benefits,” Dr Ryan said.

“We are very proud of the fact that it has earned a strong reputation as an excellent school, as evidenced by the continuing demand for enrolment here.

“Part of the reason for that reputation is the fact that we place a strong foundational importance on student wellbeing and connection.”

Dr Ryan said there were about 25 prep students who the school could not take for next year.

She said looking forward to the next five years, a stage 3 of expansion was hoped for, which would mean catering for about 525 students.

“It has been a great privilege to contribute to the establishment and ongoing development of this unique catholic school,” she said.

“It has definitely been a career highlight for me to be part of the journey of building Lisieux and seeing it become established as an important part of the Torquay story.

“I’m very proud of the special learning community that we have grown in partnership with local families.”

Meanwhile, the analysis also highlighted the Geelong region schools in decline, with Geelong East Primary School recording the highest drop, decreasing 31 per cent over the five-year period.

St Therese School in Torquay had an equal drop in enrolments, while St Aloysius’ School in Queenscliff had the third highest rate of decline, at 26 per cent.

The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority figures are the most up-to-date enrolment numbers that include all state and private schools nationally.

Schools with fastest growth between 2018 and 2022:

Lisieux Catholic Primary School: 484 per cent

Torquay Coast Primary School: 296 per cent

Armstrong Creek School: 218 per cent

Queenscliff Primary School: 166 per cent

Christian College Highton: 98 per cent

Oberon High School: 58 per cent

Geelong Lutheran College: 48 per cent

Western Heights Secondary College: 37 per cent

Lara Primary School: 24 per cent

Surfside Primary School: 24 per cent

Schools in decline 2018-2022:

Geelong East Primary School: -31 per cent

St Therese School: -31 per cent

St Aloysius’ School: -26 per cent

Whittington Primary School: -24 per cent

Drysdale Primary School: -24 per cent

Grovedale College: -23 per cent

St Francis Xavier School: -17 per cent

Torquay P-6 College: -17 per cent

Newtown Primary School: -16 per cent

Hamlyn Banks Primary School: -14 per cent

Originally published as Revealed: Geelong’s fastest growing schools and the ones going backwards