Parents of Loreto Nedlands students have demanded a swathe of documents amid a probe into the sudden decision to close the school.
Parents of Loreto Nedlands students have demanded a swathe of documents amid a probe into the sudden decision to close the school late last month.
Business News previously revealed that the school on 69 Webster Street would close its doors at the end of next year.
Loreto Nedlands was established 91 years ago and is part of the national Loreto Ministries organisation.
Parents of Loreto Nedlands students have since come forward to say they were blindsided by the announcement, which was communicated via an email on October 24.
A recently launched community group, named The Parents and Friends of Loreto Nedlands, gathered more than 70 signatures in support of better engagement with Loreto Ministries.
A statement from Loreto Ministries said the decision to close was made by the Province Council of Loreto Australia and South East Asia (Province) and the Loreto Ministries Board.
The statement said an independent review was conducted and found there had been changes in the demographic in the catchment area.
A FAQ sheet accompanying the email sent to parents, obtained by Business News, said the school had been receiving financial support for many years.
“Throughout this time, the province has provided ongoing financial support to Loreto Nedlands, and the school board has actively consulted with Loreto Ministries regarding the stewardship and long-term viability of the school,” the document said.
“The Province has advised that it is unable to continue to provide financial support to Loreto Nedlands beyond December 2023 and the school board, with a heavy heart, has accepted this decision with the implication being the school will close.”
Laura Willox, the chair of the Loreto Nedlands board, resigned four days before the school made the decision public.
In its letter to Loreto Ministries acting chief executive Paul Ould, The Parents and Friends of Loreto Nedlands group questioned the real reasons for the closure.
“We have seen the school’s profit and loss statements for 2020 and 2019,” the letter said.
“Although the school made a small loss in 2020 of approximately $154,000 in comparison to its 2020 revenue of upwards $3 million, this small loss is outweighed by a greater profit made in 2019.
“This indicates, on the information available, that the school is not currently running at an overall loss, leaving the decision to close even more perplexing.
“With respect, Loreto Ministries/Province have shown a complete and utter lack of empathy, compassion, and regard in dealing with our community.
“Without clear objective reasoning being communicated for your decision that can be vigorously considered and interrogated by the parents, we are left with the uncomfortable feeling that your decision was made capriciously or with a hidden agenda.”
Financial statements, lodged with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC), showed Loreto Nedlands recorded a revenue of about $3.5 million but overall made a loss of $154,171 in 2020.
In 2019, Loreto Nedlands reported a revenue of about $3.9 million and made a profit of $182,148.
According to the school's financial statement for 2018, Loreto Nedlands had a revenue of nearly $3.8 million and made a profit of $237,061.
ACNC has yet to received the school's financial statement for 2021.
The FAQ document said further issues arose after the school commissioned maintenance reports.
"The recent building and engineering review of the main school building also uncovered significant capital works required over the longer term that are well beyond the financial capacity of the school," it said.
Loreto Ministries has been contacted for comment.
Ongoing concerns
The group said there had been no consultation in the lead-up to the news of the closure, despite the school confirming the decision was made a month prior.
"The Province Council's process of discernment has been taking place over the past six months and a final decision was made in September," the FAQ document said.
The group has also asked for the independent review, which has yet to be made available to parents.
“This is not only unfair and unjust; it is simply unconscionable,” the group said in its letter.
“We have all invested substantial time and energy into our children’s education at Loreto Nedlands.”
In its letter, the group also said pre-kindergarten places were no longer being offered for 2023, with existing enrolments for next year being cancelled.
The FAQ document said application or enrolment fees for Loreto Nedlands would be refunded for students enrolled to start in 2023 and 2024.
"Application/enrolment fees required at other Catholic schools for transferring students in 2024 will be paid for by Loreto Ministries," the FAQ document said.
In announcing the intention to close Loreto Nedlands, Mr Ould said Loreto Ministries was working with Catholic Education Western Australia.
"CEWA will be working with Loreto Nedlands families to support the placement of students at other Catholic schools," he said.
