Catholic Education officials are considering redeveloping two Weston Creek primary schools into high schools as they plan to expand their school offerings in the south of Canberra.
Catholic Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn Education will explore options to expand St John Vianney's Primary School in Waramanga and St Jude's Primary School in Holder into a preschool to year 12 school or a year 7 to 12 college.
The Catholic system is also eyeing the release of land in the Denman Prospect "Stromlo Reach" development for a new primary school or secondary college; however, this land will attract strong competition from other school sectors.
A new discussion paper said there would be an opportunity to create a multi-school precinct in the south-west of Canberra potentially involving St Jude's, St John Vianney and the Stromlo Reach school.
"Any change contemplated, if it occurred, would need to be carefully staged and implemented to minimise the impact on students, staff and families and maximise the opportunities for them as they journey through the system," the paper said.
"Given the timeframes associated with land release, approvals and building projects - whether or not it involves the Stromlo Reach option - any decisions regarding this region, are unlikely to have effect before 2030."
The archdiocese is looking at expanding coeducational high school offerings in the south of Canberra since St Mary MacKillop College is at capacity with 2060 students and turned away about 150 students this year.
The discussion paper suggests this school, which is spread over two campuses, could be expanded but there could be risks and challenges with developing a very large school.
The archdiocese has looked at more than 11 sites for a new high school in Queanbeyan, Googong and Jerrabomberra over the past three years but all were ruled out because of suitability or cost.
The most controversial proposal has been to introduce boys at St Clare's College in Griffith. Families have threatened to leave the single-sex girls school if it became coeducational.
The paper notes St Clare's College has 864 students, well below its capacity of 1200 as at August 2026. Merici College has 1021 students enrolled with a capacity of 1100.
The discussion paper said the vast majority of new schools in Australia are coeducational and a number of single-sex schools have moved to coeducation, either with boys schools introducing girls or two single-sex schools merging.
"Given these trends, the costs of building new schools, and the capacity at St Clare's College, there is an open question for CACGEL about whether the system currently has a sustainable mix in two single-sex girls colleges and three co-educational colleges or whether another combination of colleges may reflect a more contemporary model for the future."
If St Clare's College was to become coeducational, changes would be staged over a number of years from 2028 at the earliest. The archdiocese would look at expanding capacity at Merici College to meet the demand from families who want a single-sex education.
"If the board intends to maintain an all-girls offering, additional options that might warrant consideration include differentiating in years 11 and 12 to retain enrolments and maximise overall utilisation for the benefit of more families in the south of Canberra and further strengthening collaboration with St Edmund's College as part of the precinct community," the paper said.
The archdiocese will create a Cathedral Precinct including St Bede's Primary School in Red Hill, St Benedict's Primary School in Narrabundah, St Gregory's Primary School in Queanbeyan and St Clare's College in Griffith.
The discussion paper says the archdiocese is open to opportunities to collaborate with St Edmund's College in Griffith which is operated by Edmund Rice Australia.
St Gregory's Primary School is at capacity with 737 students, while St Benedict's and St Bede's are small schools.
The paper identifies the possibility of St Benedict's becoming a specialist support school with allied health services.
New transport options could allow Queanbeyan families to send their children to any of the schools in the precinct.
"It is important to acknowledge that the establishment of a precinct will in no way restrict students from other schools, including Catholic, independent and government schools applying to enter the system at any time, including at the year 7 entry point into St Clare's College," the paper said.
"Instead, the intent is to strengthen relationships between Catholic school communities and establish a clear pathway and known precinct community for students and families within our schools as they journey through their schooling."
