Hartford College at Daceyville will close at the end of 2026 after a decision of the Hartford College Board. Children and teachers are about to lose a school they love, with only weeks' notice. The news has devastated this close-knit group of boys, who absolutely love their school.

Why Hartford matters

Hartford is a small Catholic school in Daceyville, built on classical education and on forming the whole child in the pursuit of truth, goodness and beauty. It works. Our students achieved outstanding NAPLAN results in 2026. Just as importantly, they're happy, known and supported. For these children, Hartford can't simply be swapped for another school without consequence.

Why we're asking for time

We don't dispute that Hartford faces financial challenges. We also recognise that the Church has supported the school generously over many years. But parents were never given clear information about how serious things were, or any real chance to help fix them, before the decision to close was made.

The timing also leaves families in an impossible position. Most schools have already filled their 2027 places. Parents are being asked to make rushed, irreversible decisions about their children's education, siblings and friendships before every reasonable option has been tried.

Our families bring many relevant skills and a great deal of expertise, and we're confident we can help turn the school's fortunes around. That expertise, and the goodwill behind it, has never been brought together in a structured effort to save the school. We're ready to do the work. With a strategic plan and the combined efforts of parents, staff and the broader community, we believe Hartford's legacy can not only survive but flourish.

What we're asking for

We respectfully ask the Archbishop, Sydney Catholic Schools and the Hartford College Board to:

1. Suspend the closure of Hartford College planned for the end of 2026.

2. Provide a capped, conditional 12-month bridge so Hartford can operate through 2027, with existing debt held in abeyance during that period.

3. Let the community build a turnaround plan covering enrolments, revenue, costs, fundraising and governance, and have it independently assessed by qualified professionals.

4. Monitor progress through monthly financial reporting and quarterly reviews against agreed milestones.

5. Make a final, evidence-based decision by 30 June 2027. If the turnaround hasn't worked, families will still have six months to find the right school for 2028 rather than six weeks.

How your donation helps

The money raised will go towards the cost of keeping Hartford running through 2027. It also shows the decision makers that our community is willing to put real money behind its commitment. Every dollar pledged strengthens our case that Hartford deserves a chance, and it reduces how much bridge funding we need to ask the Church for.

Our small but vibrant community is built around this college. Losing it would leave a cultural and educational gap that can't be filled. Please don't let Hartford College become a thing of the past.

Closing a school can't be undone. A 12-month bridge can. If we can't show real progress, we'll accept that difficult outcome. But if there's a real chance Hartford can become sustainable, that chance deserves to be tested before the school is lost for good.

Please also sign our petition on Change.org via the link here: https://c.org/B4ckqQjBqd

Please donate what you can and share this page. Please help give Hartford one final opportunity.