MacKillop Family Services has opened its fifth specialist school, MacKillop Education Clifton Hill in inner Melbourne, to meet the growing need for education settings that support students with complex learning and emotional needs.
The new school, located on the site of the former St John’s Primary School in Clifton Hill, welcomed both primary and secondary students at the beginning of Term 3 on Tuesday, with plans to enrol an additional 40 students in 2026.
This new campus joins MacKillop’s existing schools in Maidstone, Caulfield, Geelong in Victoria and Waranara in New South Wales, which are already operating at capacity.
MacKillop Education director Anne Henderson said the new school is a vital response to increasing demand.
“We constantly get calls, at our other schools, from parents looking for a different learning environment for their child,” Ms Henderson said.
“This new location will allow us to support students whose learning needs or emotional challenges mean they need extensive adjustments made to the curriculum content and assessments and to the physical environment.
“At our schools, we believe in the vital role of education in fostering equity and equality. We are committed to supporting every student to reach their full potential through education.”
MacKillop Education offers a trauma-informed approach with a strong focus on student wellbeing.
Every child has an individualised learning plan, and is supported by on-site psychologists, speech pathologists and therapeutic programs, such as Paw Pals, where therapy dogs help young people re-engage with learning in a safe and nurturing environment.
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MacKillop Education opens new Clifton Hill school to meet rising demand (MacKillop Family Services)
