School’s out at Tooborac Primary

WITH no new enrolments for 2024, Tooborac Primary School will not operate this year.

The decision comes after last year saw refurbishments, a new principal, and 150th birthday celebrations.

A Department of Education spokesperson said the school is not officially closed but has been deemed non-operational for the coming year.

In the coming months, the Tooborac community will be consulted to assess if there is enough enrolment interest to re-open the school.

Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland attended the school’s birthday celebrations last year and said she’s taking an interest in the future of the school.

“Despite understanding the difficulties with declining enrolments at the school, any news of a school closing its doors is concerning for our regional communities,” she said.

“I recently attended the 150th anniversary celebration of the Tooborac Primary School.

“The stories of the school’s history and accomplishments demonstrated the important role the school has in the fabric of the town.

“I will be talking to the local community to better understand their hopes for the future of the school, something I have already received calls about.

“If closing the school is the only option, I am interested to see how the facilities at the campus can still be used for the betterment of the Tooborac community.

“Particularly, if these facilities can be repurposed into childcare or an early learning centre to address the growing concerns over the lack of these options in the town.”

No decision has been made by the education department on the future of the school in the foreseeable future.

“The department will maintain the buildings and grounds until a decision is made,” a department spokesperson said.