Community
9 February, 2026
Secondary schools welcome big groups
“The 2026 school year has started smoothly and positively at St Arnaud Secondary College with student numbers increasing for the sixth year in a row,” principal Tony Hand said.
SECONDARY schools in the district are proving they aren’t going under as their class sizes continue to grow.
St Arnaud Secondary College welcomed a whopping 29 students into their Year 7 cohort, making it the fifth year in a row they’ve seen class sizes grow.
“The 2026 school year has started smoothly and positively at St Arnaud Secondary College with student numbers increasing for the sixth year in a row,” principal Tony Hand said.
“With the 29 Year 7 students beginning their secondary schooling journey, the total student population has increased from 122 in 2019 to 167 this year.”
All Year 7 students, who have come from St. Arnaud Primary School, St. Patricks Primary School, Navarre Primary School, and a couple of families moving into the area, were provided with a school bag (back-pack) and a bucket hat in school and house colours last week.
“It is great to see our new school facilities being put to good use with all classrooms being utilised,” Mr Hand said.
The College will be holding its Welcome BBQ on Wednesday, February 18 at 6.00pm with all Year 7 students and their families, and any other new families are more than welcome and encouraged to attend.
The College is also holding a VCE Information Evening on Tuesday, February 10 for all Year 11 and 12 students and our Year 10 students studying a VCE subject this year.
Charlton College also welcomed a class of 12 Year 7s, which included four brand new faces at the school.
“The start of the year represents an important milestone for these students with them officially stepping into high school life,” acting principal Craig Kelly said. “We’re very excited to have them and see what the year will bring.”
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