Seton College, a cornerstone school in Mount Gravatt East for students with disabilities, is scheduled to close at the end of 2024, raising concerns about future educational provisions for its current students.
Established in 1964, Seton College has long been a sanctuary for students needing specialised education due to disabilities. However, a 2020 review initiated by Brisbane Catholic Education led to a decision to close the school, citing better outcomes for students with disabilities in inclusive learning environments.
Despite starting the year with 224 students, the school’s enrolment dwindled to just 23 students in its final year, all of whom are in Year 12.
Many parents are grappling with mixed feelings as the school year concludes. While one mum is grateful her son could complete his education at Seton, she is saddened by the loss of such a unique educational institution.
Reflecting on her son’s experiences, the mother highlighted Seton’s transformative impact on him, contrasting it with his challenging times in mainstream schooling.
Another parent echoed these sentiments, praising the school’s tailored approach, which significantly aided her son’s development into a successful artist and soon-to-be-published author.
The closure has not been without controversy or challenge. Parents and advocates formed the Save Our Seton group, leading efforts to contest the decision. Their initiatives included petitions and protests, aiming to reverse the closure.
Frustrations were fueled by perceived shortcomings in the school’s final-year offerings, which some parents felt did not meet the educational needs or expectations of Brisbane Catholic Education. As the school prepares to close, the final batch of students will not receive traditional high school certificates due to insufficient credit points resulting from the reduced curriculum in the transition period, adding to the disappointment of parents.
A spokesperson for Brisbane Catholic Education reiterated that the closure is part of a planned five-year transition strategy to integrate students with disabilities into mainstream educational settings.
They assured that the current Year 12 students would experience a customary graduation, and that staff from Seton College would be offered redeployment within the network, aiming to preserve the community and expertise developed over the school’s long history.
Published 2-June-2024
