The establishment of Clairvaux School in 1998.

 Through the vision of the planners and leaders, the goodwill of the parents, teachers and children, as well as dedication, determination, risk-taking and plain hard work by all, this good place has come to be.

 But no-one should underestimate the difficulties of forming one school by amalgamating two predecessors: so much is given and so much is taken away; and the work is relentless.  The process began in earnest in 1997 at Mercia and St Bernard’s schools. The leaders of the two schools held consultations and combined activities were held for staff and students. A successful amalgamation depended on common understandings and beliefs.

Meanwhile, the work to transform the almost derelict South Barwon Secondary College building and grounds into a primary school was going on, preparing for occupation by July 1998.

 For the first half of 1998, Mercia and St Bernard’s planned and prepared to move to Clairvaux. The weight of 100 years of history was felt on the shoulders of everyone, and the presence of all who had been part of Mercia and St Bernard’s was sensed very strongly.  The past was honoured by preparing for the future and everyone trusted that this was the right move to make. 

 At the end of Term 2, school communities walked from the two schools, Mercia in Thornhill Rd, Highton, and St Bernard’s in High St Belmont, to Clairvaux.  In the first two days of Term 3 1998, parents and staff all worked tirelessly to set up the Clairvaux buildings.  Children would come back to school that July in a different building but with the same classmates and teachers. The plan was to finish 1998 still operating as two schools in one building before amalgamating completely in 1999.

 On the third day the school was opened to families. On the oval at twilight there was a fireworks display, a fittingly optimistic and happy beginning to the school term. The children, tentatively at first in their new surroundings, began school on the fourth day.