Education

Overview

In choosing to live in a region, families prioritise access to quality schools, diverse educational programs, and supportive learning environments for their children. A great number of opportunities exist to be a part of a connected school community in the Northern Rivers. From early learning and preschool, to primary and high school and on to tertiary study, the Northern Rivers has much to offer families.

Early Learning & Preschool

There are several options available for early learning and preschools in the Northern Rivers. These options cater to the educational and developmental needs of young children before they start formal schooling. Here are some of the common options:

Child Care Centers:

Child care centers in the Northern Rivers region provide early learning programs for children from infancy to school age. These centers offer a safe and nurturing environment with qualified staff who engage children in various activities to support their development. Child care centers often follow a curriculum that includes play-based learning, socialization, and age-appropriate educational experiences. You can research Child Care and Early Learning Centres on this government website.

Family Day Care:

Family Day Care is provided in the homes of registered educators throughout the Northern Rivers. Family Day Care providers follow early learning frameworks and offer a range of activities and experiences to support children's growth and development. You can find more information about Family Day Care options in the Northern Rivers here.

Community Preschools:

Community preschools are often run by community-based organizations or local councils. Preschools focus on early education and school readiness for children aged three to five years. They offer structured programs that promote cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development. Preschools often follow the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) or the NSW Curriculum Framework for Children's Services. Community preschools may offer sessional or longer-day programs, and they often have a strong connection with the local community. You can find preschools in your local area by using this website and selecting “Preschools” as the Service Type https://www.startingblocks.gov.au/find-child-care

Primary & Secondary Education

There is a mix of educational institutions available for primary and high school education in the Northern Rivers. These institutions cater, typically, to Kindergarten to Year 6 and on a separate campus Year 7 to Year 12.

Along with other resources at the end of this page, you can follow these links to find Public Schools in Northern Rivers or to find Private Schools in the Northern Rivers

Here are the main types of primary and secondary school options found in the Northern Rivers:

Government (Public) Schools:

Government schools are publicly funded and operated by the NSW Department of Education. Public Schools are typically non-selective and provide education to all students that live in their catchment/in-take area. You can find which catchment you live in on the School Finder website.

Religious Schools:

Catholic schools are part of the Catholic education system and are administered in the Northern Rivers by the Diocese of Lismore. Anglican Schools in the region were created through the Anglican Diocese of Grafton. Other denominational schools also operate through different faith networks such as the Seventh Day Adventists and Christian Education Network. They provide primary education based on the Australian curriculum with a focus on the values and teachings of their respective faiths. These schools are open to students from all backgrounds.

Independent (Private) Schools:

Independent schools in the Northern Rivers region are privately funded and operated. They offer primary education with their own unique educational philosophies, teaching methods, and curricula. Independent schools may have specific religious or cultural affiliations or offer alternative educational approaches. Some of the schools in this region that fall within these independent models include The Living School in Lismore, Cape Byron Rudolf Steiner School in Byron Bay and Hare Krishna School in Murwillumbah. These schools often have their own selection criteria, fees, and governance structures.

Selective Schools:

Selective schools are a specialised type of government schools that admit students based on academic merit or specific talents. These schools provide a challenging curriculum and often have additional resources for gifted and talented students. The selection process for entry into selective schools typically involves entrance exams or auditions.

For Primary Schools, students can sit an exam to access Opportunity Classes in Stage 3 (Years 5&6). These classes are available in South Grafton Public School, Alstonville Public School and Goonellabah Public School. The Aurora College virtual classes are also available to most Northern Rivers schools.

For High Schools, a partially-selective high school is at Grafton High School. The Aurora College virtual classes are also available to Northern Rivers public schools to undertake selective school subjects.

Special Education Schools:

Students with special educational needs, including physical disabilities, intellectual disabilities, learning difficulties, or sensory impairments, can work with their schools to identify the resources required to support their learning and education. Follow this link to find more information about disability learning and support through NSW Department of Education

Tertiary Education

The Southern Cross University has a 75 hectare campus in Lismore. The course offerings on campus include the arts and social sciences, education and teaching, digital media, business and tourism, marine and environmental sciences, engineering and science, health sciences, law and justice, Indigenous knowledge, music and creative arts. The university also has campuses in the nearby cities of Coffs Harbour, Gold Coast and Coomera.

Links to Resources