Gairdner Primary School officially closes its doors after a whole school year with no students enrolled

A Great Southern primary school that was open for a whole school year without any students enrolled has been closed. Gairdner Primary School shut its gates for good on December 31. While it still employed a principal, it did not have a single student enrolled for the whole 2025 school year. The school turned 65 last August, but enrolments had been on a steady downturn for several years, with families moving their children to nearby schools in Jerramungup and Bremer Bay instead. At the start of semester one in 2020, there were 22 students enrolled. By the start of the 2024 school year, there were only eight. No parents enrolled their students for 2025, and there were no enrolments on the books for 2026, either. In October, the school released a community consultation form inviting parents, families and residents to submit their feedback on the school and what its future should be. Southwest Education Regional Office staff also reached out to community members directly, with the consultation period lasting until November 5. On December 19, the school posted a message to its Facebook page announcing the WA education minister’s decision to close the school as of December 31. “We understand that rural schools like Gairdner Primary School have a rich history of educating generations of children from the families that make up the local community,” the post read. “A closure committee, including representation of the community, will manage the closure of the school. “From a school point of view, we want to take this opportunity to thank our neighbouring schools, and the wider community for their continued support. “A massive thank you to our amazing staff. “They have shown flexibility, adaptability and most importantly an unwavering commitment to supporting schools and students in our region.” The department’s deputy director general of schools Steve Watson said parents had moved their school-aged children to other schools in the area long before the school’s official closure, with enrolments not expected to increase in the future. “Gairdner Primary School experienced a significant decline in enrolments in recent years, with no enrolments in 2025, or expected in the future,” he said. “Families with school-aged children have established themselves at nearby schools such as Jerramungup District High School and Bremer Bay Primary School. “Consultation with the local community helped to inform advice regarding the ongoing viability of the school.” Gairdner is about 30km south of Jerramungup District High School, which takes students from kindergarten to Year 10. Wellstead Primary School is about 48km from the small town, and Bremer Bay Primary School is about a 60km drive.