In Hendra, parents and neighbours are rallying as the suburb’s tiny state school sees its student roll halved in just three years.
Falling Numbers in a Growing City
Hendra State School has lost half its students in just three years, marking the steepest decline among Brisbane’s public primary schools. The drop from 2021 to 2024 came despite Brisbane’s population growing by more than nine per cent. Across the city, more than half of public primary schools reported falling numbers, with a total loss of 1005 enrolments.
Similar trends were seen in Graceville and Ascot, where Year 5 enrolments dropped compared to Year 4 as some families moved children to private schools. Hendra’s small starting population, limited housing growth, and the draw of nearby private and Catholic schools made its decline particularly noticeable.
Parents Seeking Different Paths
Education researchers have pointed to a shift in parental priorities since the COVID-19 pandemic, with many families choosing home-schooling, independent schools or other alternatives over the local public option.
Parents report making decisions based on teaching style, specialised programs, social environment and secondary school pathways. In affluent suburbs such as Hendra, some students are moved to private schools in upper primary to prepare for secondary entry, further reducing state school numbers.
Citywide Trends Highlight Mixed Fortunes
While Hendra recorded the largest percentage drop, it is not alone in facing challenges. Larger schools such as Jindalee, Bulimba and Grand Avenue in Forest Lake also lost between 16 and 20 per cent of their enrolments over the same period.
At the same time, other Brisbane suburbs, particularly growth areas like Pallara, saw state primary enrolments rise sharply, in some cases beyond capacity. This uneven pattern reflects both demographic change and differing levels of demand for public schooling.
Department Response and Community Outlook
The Queensland Department of Education says demand for public schools remains strong, with nearly two-thirds of students attending them. Enrolment shifts are driven by local demographics and population movements, with plans in place to expand or build schools as needed.
In Hendra, the community continues to support its small school, but falling numbers have sparked talks on sustaining programs. Residents are considering ways to keep it a viable choice for families into the future.
Published 13-August-2025
