New Geelong primary school to open by 2026 as initial intake expected to exceed 200 students

Plans for a new primary school in one of the state’s fastest growing areas unveil a five-stage approach.

An artist’s impression of the “administration and learning centre” at the new Catholic primary school on Feehans Rd in Mt Duneed.

A new primary school in a fast-growing southern Geelong suburb is expecting to welcome 225 students and 16 teachers when it opens its doors in 2026 before expanding significantly soon after.

The masterplan for the Catholic school in Mt Duneed shows construction will occur over five stages, with the first stage underpinned by a 1600sq metre, single-storey “administration and learning centre”.

The planned opening in 2025 has been pushed back 12 months due to the unavailability of key infrastructure services.

To be located on Feehans Rd, around 400m west of the Surf Coast Hwy, it will be the second Catholic primary school in the area after St Catherine of Siena opened in Armstrong Creek in 2020.

The state government has provided funding of $4.85m from its non-government schools capital fund.

Once completed, it is expected the school’s population will be 525 students and almost 40 teachers.

An early learning centre on the northwest corner of the site is also expected to accommodate 66 children and seven staff.

Stage one includes seven classrooms with breakout spaces, meeting rooms, an art room, reception, teachers’ lounge, bike shelter, hardcourts and playground area.

Future stages cannot proceed until Harper Blvd is extended to the south, providing access to facilities on the school’s western edge, as well as an intersection with Feehans Rd.

Those stages will include an extension to the administration building, additional classrooms, sports oval, and a gymnasium fronting Harper Blvd.

An artist’s impression of the new Catholic primary school on Feehans Rd in Mt Duneed.

The school’s operator, Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS), has not ruled out subdividing the northern part of the 4ha site for residential development.

Prior to submitting its plans to the state government, MACS was told by Geelong council to consider a more suitable location for a car park that is planned for the southwest corner of the site.

“The carpark must be located on the corner to allow the school to best utilise the two road frontages to the site for vehicle access,” MACS responded.

MACS executive director Edward Simons said demand for its “faith-based” education was on the rise.

Enrolments across almost 300 MACS primary and secondary schools increased by 1.2 per cent this year to 114,400, representing around one-fifth of all students.

“Our school and parish communities save government tens of millions of dollars every year through contributions to school fees and capital works,” Dr Simons said.

An artist’s impression of the new Catholic primary school on Feehans Rd in Mt Duneed.

A poll conducted by the local Nazareth Parish earlier this year found the new school should be named after Mary Glowrey, a Birregurra-born doctor who pioneered healthcare services in India.

Less than 1km from the Feehans Rd site is Mt Duneed Regional Primary School.

Earlier this year, concerns were raised over the safety of its 330 students due to a lack of car parks and nearby footpaths.

Geelong council and South Barwon MP Darren Cheeseman pointed the finger at each other over who was to blame for the lack of infrastructure on Williams Rd.

It is understood no upgrades have occurred since.

Originally published as New Geelong primary school to open by 2026 as initial intake expected to exceed 200 students