Hartford College at Daceyville will close at the end of 2026 after a decision of the Hartford College Board. Meaning children and teachers are about to lose a school they love, with only weeks' notice. The announcement of its impending closure has shattered this close-knit group of boys who absolutely love the school.

Hartford is a small Catholic school in Daceyville, built on classical education and on forming the whole child in the pursuit of truth, goodness and beauty. It works. Our students achieved outstanding NAPLAN results in 2026. Just as importantly, they're happy, known and supported. For these children, Hartford can't simply be swapped for another school without consequence.

We don't dispute that Hartford faces financial challenges. We also recognise that the Church has supported the school generously over many years. But parents were never given clear information about how serious things were, or any real chance to help fix them, before the decision to close was made.

The timing also leaves families in an impossible position. Most schools have already filled their 2027 places. Parents are being asked to make rushed, irreversible decisions about their children's education, siblings and friendships before every reasonable option has been tried.

Our families bring many relevant skills and expertise such that we are confident we can help turn the school's fortunes around. That expertise, and the goodwill behind it, has never been brought together in a structured effort to save the school. We're ready to do the work. With a strategic plan and the concerted efforts of parents, staff, and the broader community, we strongly believe that Hartford College's legacy can not only remain intact but flourish. We are requesting a 12-month extension before any closure is finalised to give us the time to implement a turnaround plan that could save this institution.

We respectfully ask the Archbishop, Sydney Catholic Schools and the Hartford College Board to:

1. Suspend the closure of Hartford College planned for the end of 2026.
2. Provide a capped, conditional 12-month bridge so Hartford can operate through 2027, with existing debt held in abeyance during that period.
3. Let the community build a turnaround plan covering enrolments, revenue, costs, fundraising and governance, and have it independently assessed by qualified professionals.
4. Monitor progress through monthly financial reporting and quarterly reviews against agreed milestones, and 
5. Make a final, evidence-based decision by 30 June 2027. If the turnaround hasn't worked, families still get six months to find the right school for 2028 rather than six weeks. 

Our small yet vibrant community is built around the college, and its loss would leave a cultural and educational void that cannot be replaced. Please, let's not allow Hartford College to become a thing of the past.

Support us in urging the decision makers to grant this critical period to develop a sustainable future for Hartford College. Your support can make the difference. Sign this petition and help us preserve Hartford College's proud history for generations to come. A Go Fund Me page has also been set up for the school here: https://gofund.me/93d496bb7

Closing a school can't be undone. A 12-month bridge can. If we can't show real progress, we'll accept that difficult outcome. But if there's a real chance Hartford can become sustainable, that chance deserves to be tested before the school is lost for good.

Please sign and share. Give Hartford one final opportunity.