Port Macquarie, Mid North Coast fastest growing schools revealed for 2023

Mid North Coast’s fastest growing schools - and the ones going backwards - have been revealed. See where your school ranked.

Two independent schools at Port Macquarie are among the fastest growing in the region from 2018 to 2022.

An analysis of federal government data has revealed every Mid North Coast school’s student enrolment trajectory over the past five years - exposing where student numbers have risen and declined the most.

The Nature School in Port Macquarie is the Mid North Coast’s fastest growing school, with enrolments increasing by 441 per cent in the five years from 2018 to 2022.

The second fastest growing school was Crossmaglen Public School with a 390 per cent change while Port Macquarie Steiner School recorded the third biggest change with a 333 per cent increase.

The Port Steiner School recently secured more land along John Oxley Dr at Thrumster with plans moving ahead for a second campus there.

Celebrating the changing season at Port Macquarie Steiner School. Picture: Facebook.

Meanwhile, the analysis also highlighted the Mid North Coast schools in decline with Kinchela Public School recording a 74 per cent drop over five years.

Gladstone Public School was the second school going backwards for enrolment with a 68 per cent drop and Huntingdon Public School in Wauchope was the third with a 33 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.

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Love the small class sizes

Lana Doughty is in Year 5 and Isaiah Doughty in Year 7 at The Nature School in Port Macquarie.

Both are founding students of the school which opened in 2018 - Lana was in Kindy and Isaiah in Year 2 at the time.

Father, Richard Doughty, said it’s been great to see how the school has grown yet maintained its values.

Siblings Lana and Isaiah Doughty are founding students of the Port Macquarie Nature School which opened in 2018 - Lana was in Kindy and Isaiah in Year 2.

“We love the small class sizes,” Mr Doughty said.

“Our kids are always so happy to go to school. That matters to us.

“Being happy facilitates their learning.”

Catherine Shaw is the founding principal of The Nature School and looks forward to further growth for the school.

“It’s an absolute privilege to be the founding principal. We’ve grown from 22 students in our inaugural year to enrolling 160 students for 2024,” Ms Shaw said.

The school’s primary grades are at capacity but secondary years continue to grow.

“We anticipate having 200 students from Kindergarten to Year 10 when we complete our growth in 2026.

“I’m so proud of this amazing learning community, and particularly our incredible staff who have pioneered our unique, nature based approach to education.”

Head of school Catherine Shaw.

Where does your school rank ?

Schools with fastest growth between 2018 and 2022:

The Nature School: 441 per cent

Crossmaglen Public School: 390 per cent

Port Macquarie Steiner School: 333 per cent

Medlow Public School: 150 per cent

Tallowood Steiner School: 87 per cent

Nambucca Valley Christian Community School: 40 per cent

Lake Cathie Public School: 32 per cent

Bellbrook Public School: 32 per cent

Kempsey West Public School: 31 per cent

Moorland Public School: 27 per cent

Schools in decline 2018-2022:

Kinchela Public School: 74 per cent

Gladstone Public School: 68 per cent

Huntingdon Public School: 33 per cent

Nambucca Heads Public School: 31 per cent

Bowraville Central School: 27 per cent

Laurieton Public School: 25 per cent

Rollands Plains Upper Public School: 23 per cent

North East Public School of Distance Education: 23 per cent

Kempsey South Public School: 21 per cent

Scotts Head Public School: 18 per cent.