Some school mergers are simple, but others can be complicated. Complex mergers make it harder to know where a school’s records are kept. This guide explains what makes some mergers complex and how to trace a school’s history and find records from those schools.
Why some school mergers are complex
School mergers can involve:
- several rounds of mergers
- multiple name changes
- campuses opening, closing or being consolidated
- merged schools later de-merging
- records being held at different schools or at the Public Record Office Victoria (PROV).
Understanding these patterns makes it easier to track a school’s history and locate its records.
Multiple mergers and name changes
Some schools have name changes and mergers over time. Knowing earlier names helps you find all possible record locations.
Campus closures and consolidations
Schools that merge to make one large school may have many campuses using the sites of the merger schools. These campuses may close or change over time.
De-mergers
Sometimes merged schools may split to form separate schools. They will be new schools but operating on the same locations as the old schools. This is rare but important to know about when looking for records because the old school’s records may not be at the new school.
Where records are kept
After a merger, school records can be managed in different ways:
- Records are combined — Some merged schools combine their records.
- Records are consolidated at one school.
- Some records are archived, others are retained at the school — Not all records from schools in a merger are archived at the same time.
How to find records from merged schools using the directory
To find records from a merged school:
- Look up the name of the school of interest in the Victorian Government Schools Directory.
- Check the details section of the school's profile in the Directory and list every known name of the school, including earlier names.
- Look for campus changes or successor schools.
- Follow links between schools listed as 'merged', 'closed' or when one school 'became another' through a name change or other administrative action.
- Check whether any school that was part of the merger has records at PROV.
- If you’re unsure, contact the Records team.
Understanding a school’s full history gives you the best chance of finding the right records.
Background: why so many mergers occurred
Mergers in the 1990s
A lot of Victorian school mergers happened in the early 1990s. The Victorian Government closed or merged many schools to save money by reducing staffing costs and selling school properties.
Mergers today
Complex mergers still happen, but decisions focus on the needs of students, local communities and overall education priorities. Regional offices and school councils work together to determine the best learning environment for students.
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