Hendra State School Archives

Enrolments Halve At Hendra State School Amid Shifting Education Choices

Photo Credit: Hendra State School/Facebook

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.

*Photo Credit: Hendra State School/Facebook*

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

Students from Hendra State School Gallop into Racing History at Doomben

In a unique celebration of its 160th anniversary, Hendra State School treated 18 of its Prep to Year 4 students to an unforgettable day at Doomben racecourse.

The historic school, predating even the iconic Eagle Farm racecourse by a year, marked its milestone with an educational visit intertwined with the excitement of live racing.

The young students were immersed in horse racing, many experiencing their first close encounter with the majestic animals as they patted and fed carrots to the gentle grey horses of the Clerks of the Course. The visit to the Jockeys’ Rooms proved a hit, with riders generously sharing their gear, including the tiny saddles and safety vests.

Racing Queensland’s educators, Shane Scriven and Jorge Villamizar, offered each student a thrilling ride on the Mechanical Horse, a training tool usually reserved for apprentice jockeys. Champion trainer Barry Baldwin shared his expertise, demonstrating horse handling techniques with the life-sized fibreglass horse, “Bernborough.”

The children even witnessed the behind-the-scenes action of post-race interviews with Sky Thoroughbred Central’s Bernie Cooper.

The day’s highlight was witnessing the race that the Brisbane Racing Club graciously named in honour of the school’s anniversary. With its special title displayed, the event was broadcast across Australia and internationally, providing a unique platform to showcase the school’s historic milestone.

The Thoroughbred Racing History Association, which organised the visit, emphasised that such excursions are tailored to the school’s curriculum, with resources developed to align with the Australian Curriculum’s Learning Areas.

Published Date 05-September-2024

Hendra State School Enrolment Shrinks to 31 Students

Hendra State School, the smallest state school in Brisbane, has only 31 students enrolled across two multi-age classes for 2024, reflecting a significant decline in numbers for the 160-year-old institution.

The sharp decrease in enrolment contrasts starkly with the school figures last year, when it had 65 students. Principal Clare Williams describes the school as having a “country in the city” atmosphere, emphasising its strong sense of community despite dwindling numbers.

School’s Unique Character

Despite its small size, Hendra State School maintains a vibrant educational environment. Its structure allows for a more personalised learning experience, with teachers able to offer tailored activities to students based on their individual progress.

Ms Williams notes that the school’s compact nature has transformed the typical sense of community into something more akin to a family. This close-knit environment is reflected in the school’s 2023 opinion survey, where every student agreed they liked their school, felt safe, and were motivated by teachers to learn.

Enrolment Trends and Projections

The decline in student numbers at Hendra is part of a broader trend affecting some Brisbane schools. Projections suggest this number could fall to as low as six by 2028, despite 138 potential students living within the school’s catchment area.

In contrast, some of Brisbane’s largest schools are experiencing significant growth. Kelvin Grove State College, the city’s biggest school, has 3706 students and added 138 in just two years. Indooroopilly State High School saw a 13 per cent increase in enrolments since 2021, while Stretton State College grew by more than 6 per cent.

Department of Education Response

A spokesperson for the Department of Education stated that catchment sizes are regularly reviewed to manage changing student numbers. These reviews consider factors such as in-catchment student numbers and trends, distance to the nearest school, transport availability, and potential for future enrolment growth.

While some regional and remote schools have closed recently due to lack of students, the last school closures in Brisbane occurred in 2013. At that time, three schools with low enrolments were shut down.

Despite its small size, Hendra State School continues offering various programs and facilities. The school provides Japanese language classes and coding and robotics instruction from Prep to Grade 6. It also strongly emphasizes community engagement, with events such as a six-week horse riding program in Term 4 and regular family fun afternoons.

The school continues to welcome new students, hoping to maintain its unique character despite changing enrolment patterns across Brisbane.

Published 15-July-2024