Catholic primary school closure and amalgamation in Southern Highlands, NSW

Consensus Summary

The closure of St Michael’s Catholic primary school in Mittagong and its merger with St Thomas Aquinas in Bowral has sparked outrage among parents and former students. Both ABC and SMH report that the decision, announced by Bishop Brian Mascord, will see the historic school shut in 2029, with all students transitioning to the Bowral campus under the new name Corpus Christi Catholic Parish Primary School. The amalgamation affects 190 families from St Michael’s and 180 students from St Thomas Aquinas, reflecting broader demographic shifts in the Southern Highlands region. The Diocese of Wollongong has framed the move as a strategic response to declining enrolments and financial sustainability, though parents argue the decision was made without adequate consultation.

The background to the closure traces back to the 2021 merger of the Bowral and Mittagong parishes into Corpus Christi Catholic Parish, which set the stage for this consolidation. Enrolment data shows St Thomas Aquinas in Bowral has seen numbers drop from 380 a decade ago to 220 in 2026, a trend the diocese attributes to rising housing costs in the area. Meanwhile, St Michael’s, despite its long-standing reputation, faces similar challenges, with parents like Kathryn Dovey—whose children are due to start in 2028 and 2031—leading a petition with over 1,600 signatures opposing the closure. The diocese insists the decision is not driven by cost-cutting but by a need to address broader community needs, though critics remain skeptical.

Key figures in the controversy include Bishop Mascord, who defended the decision in a letter to parents, and parents like Michelle Hinton and Jennifer Hogan, who have expressed frustration over the lack of transparency. Hinton, quoted by ABC, described the decision as a betrayal, emphasizing the emotional and historical significance of St Michael’s to the community. Father Sean Cullen, the Corpus Christi Parish priest, told SMH that the move aims to create a ‘vibrant school’ but acknowledged uncertainty over the future use of the Mittagong site. Teachers, represented by the Independent Education Union, have also voiced concerns about job security and the disruption to their communities.

While both outlets agree on the core details of the closure and merger, they differ in emphasis. ABC highlights the petition drive and the emotional impact on families, including specific concerns about the erasure of the school’s history. SMH, meanwhile, focuses more on the financial and demographic factors behind the decision, such as the cost of living in Bowral and the parish’s broader strategic goals. ABC also notes the redundancy of 50 school librarian jobs in another diocese, framing the closure as part of a wider trend, whereas SMH downplays financial motivations, instead stressing unmet community needs as the primary driver.

The future of the Mittagong site remains unresolved, with neither outlet providing concrete plans for its use after 2029. The diocese has promised a ‘detailed exploratory process’ to address broader community needs, though parents and former students continue to push for a review of the decision. ABC reports calls for Bishop Mascord and the archbishop to reconsider, while SMH notes that an in-depth consultation process will begin to shape the new school’s identity. Despite the uncertainty, the amalgamation is set to proceed, leaving many in the Southern Highlands grappling with the loss of a beloved institution and the challenges of transitioning to a new educational model.