St Michael’s Primary School in Nelson Bay is a middle-size community school that epitomises that theme. 

The school is set on 2.128 hectares, with 14 classes – kindergarten to Year 6 – and has a variety of classrooms, library, hall, spacious play area, modern play equipment area and a beautiful treed area where the students eat lunch.

The Catholic identity permeates everything they do in the day and Catholic values are very important to all aspects of  school life.

St Michael’s is an innovative and inclusive community that works very closely with parents, parish and the wider community.

“We believe “It takes a community to raise a child,” St Michael’s principal Helen Bourne said. 

“While we are very proud of our history and many achievements to date, we are excited that our school community continues to grow and evolve to meet the diverse and complex educational needs of our current generation of young people to engage in their changing and often challenging worlds.”  

With a particular focus on developing innovative and creative learning experiences and environments, St Michael’s school is well placed to look ahead with hope and confidence to be able to meet the learning needs of future generations of children for many years to come.  

The staff is dedicated and continually evaluates the effectiveness of the teaching and learning programs throughout the school.

“Learning is change and change is learning, not governed by set limits or parameters, where focusing on the positive is essential,” Mrs Bourne said. 

“We are very thrilled to be celebrating Catholic Schools with the other Catholic schools in the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle as well as all Catholic school across NSW and ACT.” 

Director of Catholic Schools  Dr Michael Slattery affirmed this year’s theme.

“During my school visits over the last month, I have witnessed first-hand how Catholic schools across the diocese exhibit the qualities of this year’s Catholic Schools Week theme,” Dr Slattery said.