Holy Family College - which started in Durban in 1875 - has confirmed the closure of its primary school phase from January next year.
In a letter addressed to parents, the school's Board of Governors of the 149-year-old Holy Family College said the decision comes amid diminishing enrolment of learners for pre-primary and primary phases at the school in recent years.
"The current enrolment figures which have resulted in those phases of the school no longer being financially viable. It is thus no longer feasible to continue with their operation, the board said.
It added that despite concerted efforts through marketing ventures and advertising to boost enrolment, it has not been possible to increase enrolment to a sustainable level.
"As you are aware, we are faced with very strong competition from several Primary Schools within the immediate vicinity. It has also become apparent that there is a growing need in our Community for a quality education with a sound Catholic ethos, commencing at the secondary phase of schooling.
“After much consideration, the Board of Governors in consultation with the Holy Family Schools Trust, who represent the interests of the Holy Family Congregation as the owners of the property, have thus decided that the primary phase of the school, from grades 000 to grade 7, can no longer continue, as a result of financial non-viability," the board explained.
It said although the closure of the primary phase is marked with a sense of great loss and sadness, it does also present with a new opportunity and allow the board to focus its attention upon the continued development of the secondary phase into a specialised and highly desirable high school," the board said.
The board said the closure of the primary school phase is an opportunity to work together as the community of Holy Family College to continue to build the high school into an institution of excellence, offering a relevant and holistic values-based education.
According to the school’s Facebook page, Holy Family College is a school with a long and proud tradition.
The Sisters of the Holy Family Congregation came to Durban from Bordeaux, France in 1875, in response to a request from Bishop Jolivet, who asked them to establish a “school for young ladies” in the town.
The school began its life on the site of the present Durdoc Centre in Smith Street, in 1875. The school then moved to a site on St. Andrews Street a few years later, before finally moving to its present site in Convent Close, off Rick Turner Road, Glenmore, in 1962.
Holy Family College was originally known as Convent High and was the first private Catholic School to be established in Durban, therefore making us the second oldest school in the City. Holy Family College was one of the first schools in Durban to open its doors to learners from all ethnic groups.
Holy Family College has embraced many changes over the years, from being an all-girl Convent school to a co-educational school; and from a school that was run by the Holy Family Sisters to one that is now being run by a Board of Governors.
Speaking to IOL on the basis of anonymity, a father expressed his disappointment at the closure.
"This is absolutely absurd, I mean most of schools have already finished their 2025 enrolment and this leaves my daughter on the streets. This is unfair and government needs to dig deep into this mess," he added.
The school’s board said parents needing to enrol their children at other schools for 2025, should contact the school principal directly.
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