Greater Shepparton Secondary College records drop of more than 450 student enrolments

Greater Shepparton’s controversial “super school” has experienced a steep decline in enrolments, with reports parents are going to extreme lengths to avoid sending their kids there.

Greater Shepparton Secondary College opened its mega campus in 2022.

Greater Shepparton’s controversial “super school” has had a steep decline in enrolments, recording a drop of more than 450 students since it opened.

The Saturday Herald Sun can reveal there were 2541 students enrolled at the four local schools in 2019 — a year before they merged into Greater Shepparton Secondary College (GSSC) – compared to 2070 in 2023.

The school opened in 2022 after it formed from the merger of Shepparton High School, McGuire College, Wanganui Park Secondary College and Mooroopna Secondary College.

The Department of Education figures show enrolments have continued to decline year-on-year, from 2305 students in 2021 to 2163 the following year.

In 2018, the state government’s Shepparton Education Plan, said it projected a government school population of 3117 students by 2026.

There has been a steep decline in enrolments at Greater Shepparton Secondary College. Picture: David Caird

The school has been plagued by issues since opening including schoolyard fights, teachers working in fear and the school being forced into lockdown several times.

Teachers had also previously expressed being under “duress” suffering burnout and threats from students, causing them serious mental health issues.

One mother from the school, who asked not to be named, said the decline in student numbers didn’t surprise her.

“Everyone that could avoid that school has just about avoided it,” she said.

“People have gone to extreme measures such as moving out of the area or driving their children to outlying rural schools.”

She said students who can’t leave the school were not attending classes because they don’t feel safe, in a trend she described as “heartbreaking”.

“We need at least three schools here. We are growing as a community and have a huge Indigenous community so it makes sense that we need to be very diverse in what we offer for public school students,” she said.

“Everyone should have equal opportunities.”

Figures show enrolments at the school have continued to decline year-on-year.

But a Department of Education spokeswoman said before the establishment of the super school, the community had below average student outcomes, declining enrolments and limited subjects on offer to students

“The Victorian Government invested more than $140 million to deliver the Shepparton Education Plan since 2018 — GSSC students can now choose from a broader range of subjects in the best possible facilities,” she said.

“As with all schools, enrolments fluctuate year to year however Greater Shepparton Secondary College enrolments remain strong, despite a reduction in Grade 6 students across the region.”

The Grade 6 cohort across the area has fallen by 14 per cent from 2020 to 2023.

Lea Campbell, a spokeswoman from College of Mooroopna Learning (COOL), who is part of a group calling for an urgent reopening of a secondary school in the area, said it was important for families to have a choice of schools in the Greater Shepparton area.

“If (parents) can afford to opt out they will opt out of the government system, they are seeking Kyabram, Nagambie or any other schools,” she said.

“As soon as we get the political support, we are hoping to reopen (a school in Mooroopna) as soon as possible.”

Ms Campbell said bus timetables were still a problem for students who lived further out from the school.

“If you miss the bus you miss a whole day of schooling and that’s unacceptable,” she said.

The Herald Sun revealed earlier this month teachers were offered bonuses of up to $80,000 to work at the school as part of a jobs campaign.

Range one and two educators were being offered a $50,000 sign-on bonus for a two-year commitment and an additional $10,000 a year at the conclusion of the second, third and fourth year of their employment.