Parents and students in Balgowlah have expressed strong opposition after Catholic Schools Broken Bay confirmed the closure of St Cecilia’s Catholic Primary School at the end of 2025.
Balgowlah School Closure Announced
St Cecilia’s Catholic Primary School in Balgowlah will close permanently at the end of the 2025 school year. The site will be repurposed as a new Year 5 and 6 Learning Hub for St Paul’s Catholic College, which recently transitioned from an all-boys school to a co-educational model.
Students currently enrolled at St Cecilia’s have been offered places at St Kieran’s Catholic Primary School in Manly Vale. Catholic Schools Broken Bay (CSBB) has given families two weeks to complete enrolment transfers to secure placements.
Wider Education Strategy
The closure forms part of CSBB’s five-year strategy, Shaping Tomorrow, Together in Faith, launched in July 2025. The plan outlines major changes across six precincts within the Diocese, including Northern Beaches, North Shore, and the Central Coast.
In the Southern Beaches precinct, the strategy merges St Cecilia’s and St Kieran’s into one school community based at Manly Vale, while Balgowlah is repurposed for St Paul’s College. The plan also includes new K–12 pathways, specialist schools for additional needs, and more than $300 million in upgrades across the Central Coast.
Consultation Process
According to CSBB, consultations had been underway for more than three years. These included community forums, surveys, and meetings. A briefing was held on 12 August 2025 at St Cecilia’s, where the closure was confirmed.
CSBB stated that only a small number of families from St Cecilia’s had engaged in earlier consultation, with fewer than ten survey responses submitted out of more than 200 families.
Community Sentiment in Balgowlah
Many parents said they were caught off guard by the announcement, describing the process as lacking transparency. Families reported learning of the closure during the 12 August evening meeting, with some parents saying they only attended after being alerted through social media groups.
Concerns raised include the limited time for enrolment decisions, the future of funds raised for school facilities, and the disruption to children’s education and social connections. Some families have begun petitions calling for the closure to be delayed until 2027.
Students have also expressed sadness, particularly younger pupils who fear separation from friends, and older students concerned about missing out on leadership roles in their final year.
Next Steps
St Cecilia’s staff have been assured that all permanent teaching positions will be retained, with teachers expected to move with students as part of the transition.
CSBB has emphasised that the strategy aims to expand pathways, modernise facilities, and strengthen Catholic education across the Diocese. Parents, however, continue to call for more time and clearer communication about the changes affecting Balgowlah.
Published 18-Aug-2025
