News
6 November, 2026
School amalgamation decision ‘revoked’ says Bishop
The Catholic Diocese of Wollongong is back-tracking on controversial plans to close historic St Michael’s Catholic Primary School in Mittagong following an outcry from angry parents.
The Catholic Diocese of Wollongong is back-tracking on controversial plans to close historic St Michael’s Catholic Primary School in Mittagong following an outcry from angry parents.
The Bishop of Wollongong, Most Reverend Brian Mascord DD, announced today (Friday) that he had ‘revoked’ the decision to amalgamate St Michael’s Primary School with St Thomas Aquinas in Bowral.
The plan had been to establish one Catholic primary school in Bowral – the Corpus Christi Catholic Parish Primary School – from the commencement of the 2029 school year.
Shocked parents were advised of the news by email late last Thursday.
They said the decision was made without consultation and made little sense given the region’s growing population.
Bishop Mascord stopped short of ruling the amalgamation out but said a formal period of consultation would be held throughout November.
The consultation will include an online submission process for parents and carers as well as roundtable discussions with Parents and Friends (P&F) office holders, staff members from both schools and the Parish Pastoral and Finance Councils.
Correspondence from parents and carers received between October 29 and November 5 will also be considered as part of the consultation process.
Bishop Mascord said he would carefully consider feedback provided over the next month before making a final decision on a path forward.
He also expressed regret for the shock the original announcement had created.
“I trust that this formal period of consultation goes some way to rectifying the situation so that the voices of school staff and parents and carers of students are heard,” Bishop Mascord said.
Parents and carers of students were provided with access to the online submission form today.
Both school communities will be provided with further information about the consultation process next week.
As reported by The Southern Wire, Bishop Mascord said in his original announcement that the decision to amalgamate the two schools had been made “to meet the diverse needs of people living in and around the parish”.
The Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong said the decision had been made following “extensive discernment and takes into account a range of data and information sources”.
However staff and members of the school community were blindsided by the decision and vowed to fight against the amalgamation proceeding.
Thousands have already signed a Change.org petition protesting the closure.
Some parents told The Southern Wire they would remove their children from the Catholic Education system and enrol them at Mittagong Public School because they didn’t want them travelling to and from Bowral every day.
They described the decision as ‘nonsensical’ given the Wingecarribee Shire’s forecast population growth.
Mayor Erin Foley weighed into the debate earlier today issuing a statement saying she was “deeply concerned” by the announcement.
“While I respect that decisions regarding Catholic schools are matters for the Diocese, I share the concerns expressed by many parents, students, staff, alumni and community members who were shocked by this announcement and are seeking greater transparency around the decision-making process,” Cr Foley said.
“The Southern Highlands is a growing region. “Council's strategic planning and population projections indicate our communities will continue to grow over the coming decades, increasing demand for schools, services and community infrastructure.
“With the opening of Western Sydney International Airport and improved regional connectivity expected to drive additional population and economic growth across the broader region, it is difficult to reconcile the proposed closure of an established and thriving local primary school with the future needs of our community.
“At a time when we are planning for more families and future growth, maintaining access to local educational facilities should be a priority.
“While Council does not determine the future of non-government or government schools, we do have a responsibility to advocate for the long-term interests of our community.
“I will be advocating strongly for St Michael's to remain open and urge the Diocese to carefully reconsider this decision and genuinely engage with families and the wider community before any irreversible steps are taken.
“The strength of the community response demonstrates just how much this school means to the people of the Southern Highlands.
“Those voices deserve to be heard and I will continue to stand with our community in advocating for the future of St Michael's,” Cr Foley said.
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