Church management committee secretary David Grigg said the sub-committee asked for a 12-month extension.
“There was no consultation with the school community prior to the closure announcement, it came as a complete surprise.
“A new, $2-million building now sits in the school grounds – the staff and students only being in situ for six months.
“It’s a beautiful school and we would love to keep it.”
The St Mary’s Church community, along with staff members, parents, past parents and interested supporters of the school, met to discuss options for keeping the school open.
Mr Grigg said they sent a petition to the DOBCEL executive director Tom Sexton and Parish Priest Monsignor Glynn Murphy asking for a 12-month extension to allow the school time to find the required enrolments to stay open.
“After more than 60 years of offering quality education in Murtoa, in top-class facilities, much of them being acquired through parent fundraising and grant applications, to see the school being threatened with closure has aroused much angst and disbelief,” he said.
Mr Sexton on Wednesday confirmed Murtoa’s Our Lady Help of Christians school would close at the end of this year.
He said new enrolments were not being taken for the new school year.
“The decision to close the school at the end of 2025 is final, and enrolments are not being taken for 2026 and beyond,” he said.
“We are concerned that the misinformation that was published may add to the distress already being felt by families, staff and the wider Murtoa community.
“This outcome was not reached lightly. Over the past four years, DOBCEL and our school have left no stone unturned in efforts to improve enrolments and strengthen the school’s long-term viability.
“Despite these efforts, enrolments have not materialised as hoped, and the school is no longer sustainable.”
Mr Sexton said DOBCEL remained committed to supporting families to ensure students can continue their high-quality Catholic education at another Catholic school in the region.
“Staff at the school are also being supported, with opportunities available to continue their employment at another DOBCEL school if they wish to do so,” he said.
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