Catholic Education consults community on funding pressures, infrastructure needs and possible co-education shift at St Clare’s College

CACGEL is consulting families, staff, students, alumni and parishes  about the future of Catholic education in Canberra, Queanbeyan and surrounding regions through a new discussion paper.

·        Catholic schools are facing significant financial pressures. Government funding currently accounts for around 68% of system revenue and is projected to decline by more than $90 million by 2029 as the final impacts of the Gonski funding reforms take effect.

·         The cost of delivering education continues to increase, including teacher salaries, student support services, cybersecurity, utilities, cleaning and maintenance.

·         Building and expanding schools has become substantially more expensive. A new K-12 school was estimated to cost around $150 million in 2021-22, with costs expected to be significantly higher today.

·         Independent assessments indicate approximately $350 million in infrastructure investment will be required across existing Catholic schools over the next decade.

·         Government recurrent funding cannot be used to purchase land or build new schools, meaning capital projects must be funded through fees, grants or borrowings.

·         Limited land release in the ACT has made it increasingly difficult to establish new non-government schools. Only one additional parcel of land is currently expected to be released this decade.

·        CACGEL has examined more than 11 potential sites in the Queanbeyan, Googong and Jerrabomberra region over the past three years, but all were ultimately ruled out because of suitability or cost.

·         Demand for places in Catholic schools continues to grow, particularly in southern Canberra and the Queanbeyan region, where more than 600 secondary students currently travel into the ACT each year to attend Catholic colleges.

·         A proposed Cathedral Precinct involving St Bede's Primary School, St Benedict's Primary School, St Gregory's Primary School and St Clare's College could strengthen P-12 pathways, share facilities and expand opportunities for students.

·         Parent survey results indicate strong support for additional co-educational secondary options in Canberra's south.

·         St Clare's College currently has 864 students and capacity for approximately 1,200 students, leading to discussion about how that capacity might best meet future educational demand.

·         CACGEL is consulting on whether co-education at St Clare's College should be considered as part of a broader response to parent preference, demographic change and long-term sustainability.

CACGEL supports 56 schools, 9 early learning centres, and 3 school aged care services across the ACT and NSW. We employ more than 4,000 staff to serve over 24,000 students.

Geraldine Capp

Senior Manager Marketing and Communciations

TEel: 0448 292 793

Email: [email protected]