Rural schools: Seaspray Primary School set to stay closed in 2025

A push to secure enough enrolments to have Seaspray Primary School open again has been unsuccessful. See the latest.

Seaspray Primary School is almost certain to remain “non-operational” in 2025 after attempts to rally sufficient enrolments to re-open fell short.

But the small Gippsland coastal town has not given up hope of the school returning ahead of marking its centenary on the current site in 2027.

The school was forced to close at the end of last year when it only had seven students and three enrolments for 2024.

A decade ago 19 students went to the school.

Upgrades had been carried out on the school’s playgrounds in recent years and it still technically had a principal.

“It’s such a shame to see such a good educational facility not being used,” Seaspray General Store owner Fiona Lawrence said.

“It’s a beautiful little school and you don’t want to see them go to waste or sold off.

“It’s in recess. It’s not closed.

“It’s not done and dusted and it means we can slowly push onto 2026.”

The community were asked to register expressions of interest in attending the school at the store in recent weeks.

Seaspary Primary School has been "non-operational" this year. Picture: Supplied

Heather Harrington was the school principal in the early 2000s and was saddened to see a “well resourced school in a vibrant community” not open.

“It’s only 20 minutes from Sale and such a wonderful location,” she said.

“It’s not a remote area.”

The nearest primary school to Seaspray is at Longford.

Another Gippsland school, Neerim District Rural Primary School, will re-open next year after being “non-operational” since the end of 2019 when it had no confirmed enrolments for the following year.

Seventeen students have expressed interest to enrol in the school for 2025.

A new primary school will also open in a growth corridor of Wodonga next year.

“We are delivering on our election commitment and building 100 new schools by 2026, including nine in regional and rural areas, ensuring every student can access a great school and a quality education no matter where they live,” a state government spokeswoman said.