In a bold move to support families feeling the financial pinch, Geelong Baptist College has announced it will slash its tuition fees by a staggering 50 per cent for the upcoming 2025 school year.
A Direct Response to Financial Pressure
The school's principal, David Gleeson, confirmed the dramatic fee cut, framing it as a direct and necessary response to the severe cost-of-living pressures impacting households across the Geelong region. The decision means that instead of the planned fees, families will pay only half for their children's education at the college next year.
This initiative is projected to save an average family approximately $5000 per student annually, a significant sum that can be redirected towards other essential living expenses. Mr. Gleeson stated the school's board and leadership team felt a profound responsibility to act, recognising that many parents were making considerable sacrifices to keep their children in a private education setting.
Strategic Funding and Future Sustainability
To make this substantial reduction possible without compromising educational quality, the college is leveraging a unique financial position. The school is utilising funds from the sale of a former campus site in Bell Post Hill, a strategic asset that provides the capital needed to subsidise fees temporarily.
Mr. Gleeson was keen to emphasise that this is not a short-term promotional discount but a carefully planned, sustainable model. The fee reduction is locked in for the entire 2025 academic year, offering families certainty in their financial planning. The school's leadership has committed to a thorough review of the model throughout next year to assess its long-term viability and impact.
"We're not just dropping fees for a term; this is for the whole of 2025," Mr. Gleeson explained. The college plans to use the year to closely monitor the outcomes and gather data, with the goal of potentially extending the reduced fee structure if it proves successful for both families and the school's operational health.
Broader Implications for Education in Geelong
This decision by Geelong Baptist College sends a powerful message through the education sector and the local community. It highlights the very real trade-offs families are being forced to make and positions the college as an institution willing to adapt its business model to support its community.
The fee cut applies to all year levels, from Prep through to Year 12, ensuring relief is felt across the board. For a region like Geelong, where many households are juggling mortgage stress, high fuel costs, and grocery bills, such a measure provides tangible and immediate relief.
This move may also prompt discussions among other independent and private schools about how they can address affordability concerns for their own communities. By taking a lead, Geelong Baptist College has set a precedent that places student retention and community support at the forefront, potentially reshaping how schools respond to broader economic crises.
As the 2025 enrolment period approaches, the college anticipates strong interest from both existing and new families seeking high-quality education that is now dramatically more accessible. The success of this model will be watched closely by educators and parents alike, as it represents a innovative approach to sustaining private education in challenging economic times.
