Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School is Tweed’s fastest growing: See who else made the list
Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School is the fastest growing school in the Tweed with enrolments dramatically increasing over the past five years. See who else made the list, and schools where enrolments have fallen.
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Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School is the fastest growing school in the Tweed.
The school’s Parents and Friends Association president Ramesh Sivabalan has three children who attend Lindisfarne and says the growth demonstrates the school’s success.
“It seems to be the school with the broadest opportunities in the Northern Rivers, from academics to arts to sports which is one of the biggest drivers behind people being drawn to Lindisfarne,” he said.
“We wanted all our children to be at one school and have broad opportunities that catered for each one of their strengths and a school to help them grow in the areas they lacked.”
Mr Sivabalan said his family loves Lindisfarne and despite the growth, the sense of community in the school is present more than ever.
“I think it would be silly to suggest the growth has been a bad thing, it’s inevitable because if you have a good school with a good program everyone is going to want their kids to go there which is basically what’s happened,” he said.
Lindisfarne principal Stuart Marquardt said people are increasingly aspirational for their children and seeking an education that covers all aspects of a young person's development.
“All learning is valued at Lindisfarne: The learning in the classroom, beyond the classroom, across the curriculum and beyond the school,” he said.
“Learning at Lindisfarne is so much more than what occurs in a classroom.
“Our parents are our strongest advocates, telling others in the community that they are proud to be associated with the school.
“There is no greater recommendation to a potential family than parents who value the education being provided to their children.”
An analysis of federal government data has revealed every Tweed region school’s student enrolment trajectory over the past five years - exposing where student numbers have risen and declined the most.
Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School in Terranora is Tweed’s fastest growing school, with enrolments increasing by 54 per cent in the five years from 2018 to 2022.
The second fastest growing school was Stokers Siding Public School with a 53 per cent change while Tweed Valley Adventist College in Murwillumbah recorded the third biggest change with a 52 per cent increase.
Tweed Valley Adventist College (TVAC) parents Matt and Nina Atcheson have three children at the school.
“We’ve seen the school grow over the past few years which has brought our children more opportunities for new friendships and subject choices,” they said.
“We appreciate the ‘small school’ feel the school still has, where each student is known and valued.
“What we most appreciate about TVAC is its strong identity and spiritual culture, this stems from caring leaders and nurturing teachers who focus on the students’ character and individual needs.”
TVAC principal Michele Wilson said the rapid growth in enrolments provides the opportunity to expand their program, resources and to nurture students academically, physically and spiritually.
“While we are excited about the growth, we are capping numbers to maintain the close-knit, family friendly environment where students are known and loved,” she said.
“We are pleased to be adding a new technology facility for students to develop practical skills of life, while also engaging in an increasing range of academic subjects and extra-curricular opportunities.
“We see each student as a unique creation of a loving god with strengths and weaknesses, gifts and talents. We aim to identify these characteristics and encourage individual growth.”
Meanwhile, the analysis also highlighted the Tweed region's schools in decline on the enrolment front with Murwillumbah Public School recording a 36 per cent drop over five years.
Tumbulgum Public School was the second school going backwards for enrolment with a 31 per cent drop and Fingal Head Public School was the third with a 30 per cent decline.
The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority figures are the most up to date enrolment numbers that include all state and private schools nationally.
Schools with fastest growth between 2018 and 2022:
Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School: 54 per cent
Stokers Siding Public School: 53 per cent
Tweed Valley Adventist College: 52 per cent
Condong Public School: 38 per cent
Aetaomah School: 33 per cent
Duranbah Public School: 25 per cent
St Ambrose Catholic Primary School: 24 per cent
Tweed Heads Public School: 20 per cent
Bogangar Public School: 20 per cent
Pacific Coast Christian School: 19 per cent
Schools where numbers fell 2018-2022:
Murwillumbah Public School: 36 per cent
Tumbulgum Public School: 31 per cent
Fingal Head Public School: 30 per cent
Carool Public School: 29 per cent
Tyalgum Public School: 24 per cent
Uki Public School: 24 per cent
Tweed Heads South Public School: 22 per cent
Kingscliff Public School: 22 per cent
Wollumbin High School: 21 per cent
Murwillumbah East Public School: 20 per cent
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