Bendigo Schools Guide: Public, Catholic, Independent Options for Families

Schools in Bendigo

Bendigo's school landscape is distinctive for a regional city — it has a variety of government, Catholic, and independent schools, several of which have very long histories dating to the gold rush era. The city's growing population has led to new school construction in growth suburbs.

Government Schools

Major government high schools in Bendigo include Bendigo Senior Secondary College (Years 11 and 12 only — the Victorian college model), Bendigo Secondary College (Years 7-10), and Girton Grammar (technically independent, not government). In the secondary years, many Bendigo students complete Years 7-10 at a local high school then transition to Bendigo Senior Secondary for VCE. Government primary schools in Strathdale, Kennington, and Kangaroo Flat are well-regarded.

Catholic Schools

Catholic Education Diocese of Sandhurst serves Bendigo. Key schools include St Kilian's Primary School, Sacred Heart Cathedral Primary School, Marist College Bendigo (boys, Years 7-12), Girton Grammar (actually Anglican — see below), and Catherine McAuley College (co-ed, Mercy, Years 7-12). St Joseph's College (Bendigo, co-ed) is also in this network.

Independent Schools

Girton Grammar School (Bendigo, co-ed P-12, Anglican) is Bendigo's most well-known independent school and among Victoria's top regional performers. Crusoe College (Kangaroo Flat) is a government school. La Trobe University's student families often consider both Girton and Catholic options.

Finding and Enrolling

Victorian government school enrolments are at education.vic.gov.au. Contact Catholic Diocese of Sandhurst and Girton Grammar directly. Open days in Term 2 are the main enrolment events.

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