St Columba's Primary School Berrigan to close in 2021

Director of schools Elizabeth O’Carrigan confirmed there are only seven students at the school in 2020, across Years 1 to 6.

For the second year in a row, the school has received no Kindergarten enrolments for the 2021 school year.

Efforts are now being made to ensure the school facilities can be retained for community use, especially given renovations were only completed two years ago.

This will be the subject of future community meetings.

In the meantime, parents will be required to enrol their children in other district schools.

Parent Marianne Whelan, who was a student of the school and currently sits on the school’s committee, said the announcement on Friday was a ‘‘sad day’’ for the community.

She said it ends her family’s multigenerational connection with the school.

‘‘I am one of seven who attended the school growing up. My oldest sibling started at the school in 1967.

‘‘I have really fond memories of the school. There were a lot of big families that came through the school at the time, and we formed a lot of long-lasting friendships with students.

‘‘We are also still in contact with the presentation nuns who taught us at the time, and I’m sure they’ll be sad to hear of the school’s closure.’’

Mrs Whelan has already had two children graduate from St Columba’s Berrigan and her third will now have to finish his final year of primary at another school.

‘‘We have a big connection to the school and although it (the closure) has been a long time coming, no matter how much you prepare for it, it’s still very sad to hear the news of its closure,’’ she said.

‘‘I have a great respect for the Catholic Diocese and want to send Lachlan somewhere where he can continue to learn and grow.

‘‘Lachlan will attend Finley St Joseph’s from next year, and I am aware of other parents looking at the same school.

‘‘It is a bigger school and he will have a great chance to learn there.’’

Mrs O’Carrigan said pastoral and financial support will be provided to families to help ensure a smooth transition to a new school in 2021.

‘‘Despite the school’s valiant efforts to sustain and grow the learning environment in recent years, enrolments at St Columba’s have continued to plummet,’’ she said.

‘‘We know this news will be distressing for the local community as St Columba’s has been an integral part of Berrigan for over 100 years.

‘‘I wish to assure them that the decision to close the school was not taken lightly and express my gratitude to the many families, staff and religious leaders who have made invaluable contributions to this school and its students for so many years.”

St Columba’s was opened in Berrigan in 1898, and the community has already announced plans to ensure this long history in celebrated.

Members of the school and parish community who attended a school meeting last week will plan a special event.

‘‘Although it’s sad, it is what it is and we did our best efforts to keep the school running for as long as possible,’’ Mrs Whelan said.

‘‘We will be holding a celebration in the future, but we will have to wait and see with COVID-19 restrictions at the moment.

‘‘It will be nice to say goodbye to the school and gain some closure on all the fond memories.’’