A NEWLY implemented intervention group in literacy and numeracy is raising student outcomes at St Michael's Catholic School, Nelson Bay.

Principal Helen Bourne said the school's programs included intensive reading, individual education plans and Tournament of the Minds.

"This year we are also focusing on community involvement, starting with the centenary of Anzac Day," Ms Bourne said. "Each child will be presented with a commemorative ribbon and we will be inviting parents, grandparents, aunties and uncles who have served in the Defence Force to share their experiences with the students."

The school also runs a Mini Vinnies group, devoted to fund-raising for the less fortunate.

Shoal Bay Public School, Shoal Bay

TWO "lovely young people" were elected by students and staff to lead Shoal Bay Public School this year.

The school's premiers, Poppy Howe and Alex Gray, both 11, were described by principal Narelle Mann as "very good role models for younger students".

"They are both involved in sport, choir and dance," Ms Mann said. "They are all-rounders and very respected by their peers."

Ms Mann marked one year as the school's principal this month..

"It's a wonderful place to be, a wonderful school," she said.

Enrolments have increased considerably, up from 372 in 2014 to 394 this year, creating 16 classes. The school has just gone completely wireless, enabling students to better use technology. Staff were currently teaching a new syllabus and a new three-year plan was being envisioned. Ms Mann said times at the school were exciting.

Anna Bay Public School, Anna Bay

THERE'S a mini information technology (IT) revolution sweeping through Anna Bay Public School in 2015.

Principal Matt Freeman said the school had invested heavily in ensuring its 320 students remain up to date with the latest in IT.

"At the end of last year the school conducted a community forum and it was overwhelmingly decided to purchase 32 new laptops and 30 ipads for the students," Mr Freeman said.

"We have also adjusted how we utilise our school buildings. All our new classrooms are fully air-conditioned while the old classrooms are being used for speciality programs."

Mr Freeman said the school would be next looking at improving its playground facilities.

Raymond Terrace Public School, Raymond Terrace

NOW in its fifth year, the multi-category special needs classes at Raymond Terrace Public School are being embraced by staff and students alike.

Principal John Picton said the program, which comprised children living with all forms of disabilities, was "going swimmingly".

"We are fortunate to be able to integrate children with mental and physical difficulties into our mainstream teaching programs," Mr Picton said. "It has been excellent for all concerned and provides students with a better appreciation for those needing special care."

To accommodate its special needs students, the school has undergone significant modifications including the construction of ramps and handicapped toilets, plus the installation of new play areas.

Mr Picton said that Raymond Terrace Public, with a growing enrolment of 440, continued to provided opportunities for the gifted and talented, as well as music and dance programs.

"We have a great group of teachers to ensure that all students receive quality learning."

Grahamstown Public School, Raymond Terrace

A GREAT selection of students from Grahamstown Public School put their names forward to lead the school this year.

But it was Thomas Beautement and Madison Jones, both 11, who won the school body's heart and were selected as the school's 2015 year 6 captains.

"All of our leaders are a wonderful group of students who worked hard throughout last year to demonstrate their leadership skills," school principal Sue Kane said.

Ms Kane said there were 356 students enrolled at the school this year and 14 classes, down by one from 2014. A major focus at Grahamstown this year would be writing, with staff being trained and professional learning taking place to improve literacy standards across the school.

It would also continue its green initiatives, students caring for its vegetable gardens, chickens, and taking part in gardening and recycling programs. Ms Kane said the school would look to back up its Tidy Towns environment education award win from 2014 this year in the same category.

Ms Kane said the school was supported by a wonderful student body and parents.

Medowie Public School, Medowie

MEDOWIE Public School will look to further reduce its carbon footprint in 2015, develop stronger links with the community and find ways to help students become "21st century learners".

Enrolments at the primary school this year were slightly down to 353 pupils, principal Glen Whitton said. He said this was due to a smaller kindergarten intake, a trend seen right across the Port's public primary schools in 2015.

Leading the student body this year are Oliver Taylor, Kaleb Mitchener, Emilee McFadyen and Angela Dutton. Students were being taught the new Department of Education syllabus, focusing on mathematics.

Staff would take on a number of different maths strategies. Another focus this year was to increase the sustainability of the school. Several classes would care for the gardens and orchard while the entire student body would take part in binless lunch days.

St Philip's Christian College, Salamander Bay

ST Philip's Christian College at Salamander Bay has cause for double celebration in 2015.

The school celebrates its 21st birthday, as well as being identified as demonstrating above average NAPLAN results - a national reporting program for schools.

According to the assessment authority, the NAPLAN gain by St Philip's was statistically significant compared to previous years and compared to schools with similar student numbers.

Deputy principal Simon Herd said the pleasing results reflected well on the school's teaching staff and curriculum. "These results complement our favourable HSC results from 2014, where we had a number of students progress to university and higher education study."

St Philip's is made up of a junior, middle and senior school with future plans for a 60-capacity early learning centre, a new junior school, complete with 11 classrooms, and a new entrance.

Hunter River High School, Heatherbrae

A WHOPPING 743 students will attend Hunter River High School in 2015, to be led by captains Laura Essex and Kane Hoskins, both 17.

The pair will be supported by vice-captains Riley Carey and Caleb Bailey, both 16. Principal Deb Dibley said enrolments at the Raymond Terrace public high school were up by about 20 this year.

The year 11 class of 2015 was one of the largest with 133 students. The year 12 class has 61 students. Ms Dibley said everything was firing positively in the first term of the year.

A focus at the school this year would be continuation of its positive behaviour program, which Ms Dibley said had already shown good results, and offering students academic and non-academic pathways.

Additional focus areas would be literacy for students and the continuation of a lesson study program for staff where teachers critique each other to improve classroom learning.

Soldiers Point Public School, Soldiers Point

A NEW library with state-of-the-art technology and creative learning spaces is expected to be ready for use at Soldiers Point Public School when classes resume in term 2.

Principal Simon Parson said the $500,000 library building was on time.

"The old building will be demolished to make way for a new playground, which is in the planning stages," Mr Parson said.

"We have a landscape architect working with the students on concept plans ... we figured that because the students will be using the equipment then they should have an input in the plans."

Mr Parson said the school's remembrance garden was being spruced up in time for the Anzac Day centenary commemorations and the school musical this year would have a space theme.

"Our enrolments are up to 370, which means we now have 15 classes compared to 14 in 2014."

Tomaree High School, Salamander Bay

IT HAS been a smooth transition for newly appointed principal at Tomaree High School, Sue Xenos.

Ms Xenos, a former teacher at Francis Greenway and Maitland Grossman, took over the reins at the start of the school year from the retiring Peter Partridge.

"The teachers, staff and students have been very welcoming ... it's a huge site and I can only now walk from one end of the school to the other without getting lost," Ms Xenos said.

"On the academic side we are in the process of installing a third deputy as part of our strategy to improve literacy, quality teaching and provide a positive school climate."

Tomaree High achieved exceptional HSC results in 2014 - second in the state in electromagnetics, fourth in retail and an ArtExpress inductee. The school's year 10 science class finished 2nd in the state engineering challenge and 4th in the state open touch tournament.

The school's four school captains Abbey Rayner, Emma Cram, Liam Fletcher and Sam Mathwin have shown excellent leadership.

Wirreanda Public School, Medowie

THE 2015 Wirreanda Public School captains Georgia Almond and Cameron Desjardins lead the vice-captains and prefects as part of the leadership team.

Deputy principal Sue Wilson said that Georgia and Cameron were elected by the staff and students of the school.

"They are both looking forward to the challenge of official duties such as Anzac Day and leading school assemblies," Ms Wilson said.

"One of the key aspects of their time as captains this year will be ensuring that they continue to model the You Can Do It foundations of success to the school community.

"They are outstanding ambassadors for Wirreanda and the Medowie community."

Seaham Public School, Seaham

CULTURE and values is one of three core focus areas of Seaham Public School, something students will better learn through the new positive behavioural program throughout the grades this year.

A native garden is to be planted at the school for students to better learn about traditional Aboriginal tucker. Combined with its annual big celebration for Harmony Day on March 26, Seaham Public School's 203 students will be well acquainted with cultural values this year.

Enrolments are slightly down from last year with fewer children starting kindergarten than in 2014. Leading the students body this year are 11-year-olds Sam Codrington and Ally Mason.

Vice-captains are Zane Codrington and Dallas Johnson, both 11.

The captains head the school's parliament which is in full swing, with the executive already presenting fundraising ideas to the governor-general, principal Craig Partridge. Mr Partridge said Sam and Ally were popular students who were positive and friendly.

Tanilba Bay Public School, Tanilba Bay

A TALENTED dancer and a keen footballer have been voted in as school captains (prime minister and deputy) at Tanilba Bay Public School.

Kasey Brown (PM) and Blake Chamberlain delivered confident, quality speeches to support their campaign for school leadership.

Together with their ministers, the pair have been discussing issues including a proposal to appoint environmental student monitors, an initiative which has impressed principal Stuart Wylie.

"Both leaders will take an active role in representing the community in the upcoming Anzac Day centenary commemorations," Mr Wylie said.

"Kasey, who enjoys dancing, and Blake are looking forward to implementing new ideas as well as participating in the school's performance night, market day and charity events that occur through the year.

"With 548 students enrolled this year, our leaders will be busy listening to their peers and standing strong as role models."

Medowie Christian School, Medowie - Senior

MEDOWIE Christian School's senior captains Ella Twelvetree, Jonathan Gough, Laura Yeomans and Lauren Pietsch have an extra special year ahead of them.

Aside from leading the senior student body, the four will be part of the first year 12 class to graduate from Medowie Christian School since it opened in 1995.

"Unprecedented enrolments due to our outstanding reputation within the community and providing Medowie with its first kindergarten to year 12 campus has given us much to be thankful for," principal Samantha Van de Mortel said. Medowie Baptist Community Church opened the first classrooms in 1995 with only 41 students and two teachers in two demountables.

The growth of the school lead to secondary education in 2005. Since the end of 2013, the school's enrolments have increased by about 100 students.

Today, about 390 students are enrolled at Medowie Christian School. Six new classrooms will be added to the campus during 2015 and a new administration building is planned for 2016.

To celebrate its 20th anniversary, the school will be holding a series of events which include an open day in May, a musical in June and the first graduation of year 12 students at the end of the year.

Medowie Christian School, Medowie - Junior

LEADING Medowie Christian School's primary student body this year are Cooper Lee, Reuben Blatch, Mia Henderson and Grace Gray, all aged 11.

The students will be at the forefront of motivating their peers into pursuing extra-curricular activities including sporting, musical and national and international mission pursuits.

A big focus at the school this year is technology with primary students able to access iPads to assist their learning. This year marks 20 years since Medowie Baptist Community Church first opened its classrooms.

Sue Davis, head of the primary school, has taught at the school since its inception. Mrs Davis said she was very proud to be celebrating 20 years and looked forward to many more years of child-focused academic success.

Tomaree Public School, Salamander Bay

TOMAREE Public School leaders Mitchell Paton and Zac Williams, who were elected by the staff and students, also run the school parliament.

"These boys strive to uphold our school values at all times and are excellent role models," relieving principal Michele Walmsley said.

"Our school is looking forward to the installation of new fixed play equipment this year, after funds were raised by the P&C with huge support from the entire community.

"We were absolutely amazed by the way local businesses and organisations got behind us and made this possible."

Now that the school has complete wireless facilities, Ms Walmsley said teachers were excited about teaching students the technology skills they will need in this technological era.

"This year we are focusing on performance, participation and partnerships."