Ten years ago the secondary department (Years 7 to 10) had 60 students, but this year enrollments dropped to just 25.

Before the decision to shut the department the school had organised a steering committee and surveyed parents for their input, according to school spokesperson Vince Conner, from the Catholic Diocese of Bathurst education office.

“The overall consensus was most parents wanted a high school starting from Year 7 through to Year 12 so children did not have to change schools after completing year 10,” he said.

“This was not a viable situation so the decision was made to close the secondary department.

“The school was founded in 1912 and we have educated many students – not only academically, students left the school with a well-rounded education to take them on to their chosen careers.”

St Joseph’s high school teachers will be relocated to other schools or be offered a redundancy.

Mr Connor said there are 109 students enrolled in the infants and primary departments and St Joseph’s will continue to bring professional teaching to children in kindergarten through to Year 6.

“We are currently restructuring and rethinking learning methods for children in today’s world,” he said.

“It’s not only about literacy and numeracy, we have to take on board world technology – we will focus on professional learning for our students.”

St Joseph’s has introduced a “Jump into Joeys 2015” program to give children a head-start for school.

The 16-week pre-kinder program is open to all children in the Oberon area and will run every Monday from July 20.

Contact school principal Donna Maxsted for more information.