General News
27 May, 2026
SACRED LAST BELL
DECLINING enrolment num-bers will seee the last Catholic school in the Loddon Shire to close at the end of the year.
DECLINING enrolment num-bers will seee the last Catholic school in the Loddon Shire to close at the end of the year.
Parents were told of the shock decision last Thursday as the school was preparing for enrolment information sessions this month.
They have since started a lantern campaign, asking the community to use a template to hang on fences and express disappointment with the decision.
The closure will come two years after Catholic Education Sandhurst closed St Patrick’s school in Pyamiod Hill.
Catholic Education Sandhurst said it was “deeply saddened” to announce the closure.
Executive director Kate Fogarty said the board had made the difficult decision that had not been taken lightly.
“It was reached only after extensive consideration and discussion with the wider community,” she said.
“Over a sustained period, declining enrolment numbers have challenged the school’s viability.
“When considered alongside low projected demographic growth and the need to meet regulatory requirements, it is evident that ongoing operations is no longer sustainable.
“As difficult as this outcome is, we believe it represents the most responsible course of action for the Inglewood community.”
Ms Fogarty said families of St Mary’s Inglewood would be fully supported in transition to their preferred school choice for 2027.
‘The town is fortunate to have Inglewood Primary School and in addition, Marist College Bendigo in Maiden Gully is connected by a daily bus service should families choose to keep their children in the Catholic system,” she said
“Similarly, the staff of St Mary’s will be supported to understand their career options, including identification of alternative employment opportunities within Sandhurst Catholic Schools.
“I would like to take this opportunity to recognise Principal Stephen O’Shannessy and the staff who have been exceptional teachers and leaders for the children, Parish Priest Stephen Bolling and the St Mary’s community more broadly. “We are committed to commemorating and celebrating the rich history and legacy of the school in a meaningful way later this year.
St Mary’s was opened by the Presentation Sisters in 1860 who ran the school until 1974.
Read More: Inglewood, Loddon Shire