Dear friends and fellow advocates,
I hope this message finds you and your families well. When we first launched our petition for a new Catholic high school in the Hunter Valley, we knew we weren't alone in recognising the urgent need for more Catholic secondary education options in our growing region. Today, I'm excited to share some significant developments that show our voices are truly making a difference.
Our Growing Community of Support
We are approaching 400 signatures on our petition – each one representing a family who shares our vision for accessible, quality Catholic education right here in the Hunter Valley. These aren't just numbers; they represent parents like us who want the best for our children, grandparents who value faith-based education, and community members who understand the vital role Catholic schools play in our region.
The Diocese is Taking Notice
Perhaps most encouragingly, we're seeing clear signs that the Diocese is beginning to acknowledge the capacity challenges we've been highlighting. The recent decision to cancel the planned merger of All Saints campuses speaks volumes. Rather than consolidating resources, they've recognised that maintaining current capacity is essential – a direct acknowledgment of the enrollment pressures our families are experiencing.
This decision validates what many of us have been saying: our existing Catholic secondary schools are stretched to their limits, and families are struggling to secure places for their children in the faith-based education they desire.
Government Recognition of Our Region's Growth
The NSW Government's announcement of new primary and secondary schools in Huntlee is another clear indicator that our region's rapid growth is being recognised at the highest levels. While we celebrate any increase in educational infrastructure, this development also underscores why Catholic families in our area need dedicated options that align with our values and educational philosophy.
The Independent Sector is Responding – Why Aren't We?
What's particularly telling is how quickly high-fee private schools are responding to the obvious demand in our region. Maitland Christian School and Australian Christian College aren't just talking about expansion – they're actively enlarging their campuses and scouting locations for satellite campuses. They clearly see what we see: families in the Hunter Valley are crying out for quality educational options.
If private schools can recognise this opportunity and act on it, surely our Catholic education system can do the same for the families who have supported it for generations. We're not asking for anything unreasonable – we're simply asking for the same responsiveness to community need that we're seeing from other educational providers.
The Reality for Our Families
Many of you have shared your personal stories with me – parents driving long distances daily, families on waiting lists with no guarantee of enrollment, children separated from their friends because there simply aren't enough places at our local Catholic high school. St. Joseph's in Lochinvar is doing exceptional work, but they cannot be expected to serve the educational needs of our entire growing region alone.
What's particularly heartbreaking is hearing from families who are now making the difficult choice to drive all the way out to St. Catherine's in Singleton – adding significant time, fuel costs, and stress to their daily routines – simply to ensure their children receive a Catholic education. Even more concerning, some families are seriously considering relocating from our community entirely, driven by the fear that they could be left with no zoned Catholic high school options in the area.
When families feel they have to choose between staying in the community they love and accessing the Catholic education they value, something is fundamentally wrong. We're losing good families from our region not by choice, but by necessity. This isn't just an inconvenience – it's forcing families to make impossible decisions that no parent should have to face.
These aren't abstract policy issues – they're real challenges affecting real families in our community right now, and the consequences are becoming more severe as time goes on.
How You Can Help Amplify Our Message
Your signature was just the beginning. Here's how we can continue building momentum together:
- Spread Our Story: Please reach out to your extended family, friends, neighbours, and fellow parishioners. Share our petition with other Catholic families who may be facing the same challenges. Every new signature represents another family's voice in this important conversation. The more diverse our support base, the stronger our message becomes.
- Make Your Voice Heard Directly: I encourage every one of you to email info@mn.catholic.edu.au. Don't just ask about secondary school options – share your specific concerns about capacity at St. Joseph's Lochinvar and explain how a new Catholic high school would benefit your family and community. Personal stories carry tremendous weight, and your individual experiences matter.
When you write, consider mentioning:
- How long your commute currently is or would be
- Whether you're on waiting lists
- How this affects your family's daily life
- Your connection to Catholic education and why it matters to you
Now that we are approaching 400 signatures, I'd like to explore starting a Facebook page that will serve as a central hub for our campaign. This will allow space to share updates more regularly, celebrate milestones together, and demonstrate the breadth of community support we're building. It will also provide a space for families to connect and share their experiences.
Looking Ahead with Hope and Determination
The momentum we're seeing gives me tremendous hope. When we started this campaign, some questioned whether there was really enough demand for a new Catholic high school in our region. Today, the evidence is overwhelming – from our growing petition numbers to the Diocese's own policy decisions, from government investment to private school expansion.
But recognition of the problem is only the first step. Now we need to maintain pressure and continue demonstrating that this isn't just a nice idea – it's an urgent necessity for our community.
I'm constantly inspired by the passion and commitment each of you brings to this cause. Together, we're not just advocating for a building or an institution – we're fighting for our children's future and the continuation of Catholic education in the Hunter Valley for generations to come.
Thank you for standing with us. Thank you for believing that our children deserve access to quality Catholic secondary education close to home. And thank you for your continued support as we work to make this vision a reality.
Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have questions, ideas, or want to get more involved.
With gratitude and determination,
Ben