Bunbury’s Ocean Forest Lutheran College to close

The school currently has 20 kindergarten children and 144 students enrolled between pre-primary to year 10. This is down from more than 570 students in 2009. 

There are also more than 30 full-time and part-time teaching and support staff employed by the college. All positions will be made redundant. 

College chairman Scott Nuske said it was a distressing but unavoidable decision. 

“The college board, with the support of the college community and Lutheran Fellowship, has over the past few years worked tirelessly and exhausted all options to keep the College open,” Mr Nuske said. 

“We will support in every way that we can our students, their families and our staff as they leave Ocean Forest Lutheran College.”

Mr Nuske said the decision to close the school was made several days ago and was being announced now to ensure the best interests of the students are served in a timely fashion. 

“This includes counselling and any other support that we can provide,” he said. 

“Other schools in Dalyellup and the Greater Bunbury region will, together, have the capacity to accommodate all students.”

It is the intention of the College Board and the Lutheran Schools Association SA, NT and WA to sell the site, ideally to an education provider.

Just one day earlier, Halls Head’s Living Waters Lutheran College announced it would also be closing at the end of the year due to low enrolment numbers. 

Bunbury also lost a school in 2015 with Swan Christian Education Association electing to close Geographe Grammar School due to low enrolment numbers.