Choosing the right education for your child is one of the most important decisions you will ever make. As parents, carers, or grandparents you have a choice - and the right - to offer your child the best education available.
The Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle proudly hosts some of the best schools in Newcastle, Maitland, the Hunter and Upper Hunter, Lake Macquarie and Manning regions.
Catholic schools offer a unique educational experience which forms the child or young person as a person of integrity, compassion, faith and wisdom. Catholic schools also work closely with their local parish to enhance in students a capacity to make sense of their world, to make judgements and to recognise the uniqueness of others within a faith community.
Each school has a supportive community of teachers, parents, carers, Parent Engagement Group (PEG) committees, clergy, parishioners, and support staff who work together to focus on students; encouraging success, promoting discipline, supporting creativity and instilling compassion. This means that Catholic schools don’t just teach religious studies, they seek to develop spirit, mind, body and character and cultivate Gospel values that support lives filled with joy, endeavour and hope in the future.
Each Catholic school has a commitment to focusing on each individual child’s ability, offering a unique array of educational, creative, sporting and formation opportunities for students.
Finally, Catholic schools offer peace of mind to parents; knowing they’ve made the right choice and the best investment for their child’s future. It is because of this and the many opportunities available to students that we believe choosing a Catholic education, is the right choice to make.
WHY FAMILIES CHOOSE ST COLUMBAN’S MAYFIELD
1. WE ARE A MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITY
St Columban’s is a unique school community that boasts the highest multicultural population, per head, of any primary school in the diocese. Our student population draws from 22 different nationalities, including African, Asian, European, Pacific Islander and Indigenous Australian cultures. We blend together to form a school community that is culturally aware and accepting of others.
2. WE ARE A GIFTED EDUCATION LEAD SCHOOL
St Columban’s is one of 14 Gifted Education Lead Schools within the diocese catering for gifted, high-potential learners. Critical and creative thinking skills are becoming a prominent part of our curriculum where students are given the opportunity to problem solve and challenge themselves to grow in a positive learning environment.
3. WE OFFER A SMOOTH TRANSITION INTO KINDERGARTEN
At St Columban’s, we aim to ensure the transition into Kindergarten is a smooth and positive experience for all students. New kinder enrolments have the opportunity to attend playgroup in Term 4 while staff conduct information sessions for parents to learn vital information about school readiness. Our Kinder transition continues through the use of Successful Foundations play-based learning for the first 5 weeks of the Kindergarten year.
4. WE ARE A POSITIVE BEHAVIOUR FOR LEARNING SCHOOL
Our Positive Behaviour for learning framework overarches our welfare, behaviour management and discipline approaches and follows the cycle of ‘teach, practice, reward’. This results in consistency of expectations for both children and staff.
5. WE ARE A POS-ED AND MAKING JESUS REAL SCHOOL
Our local high school, San Clemente has developed a strong wellbeing program for their students through Positive Education. As we feed into San Clemente, it is only natural that St Columban’s should follow the same program to aid the transition into high school as well as build our own strong wellbeing program. Making Jesus Real combined with Pos-Ed gives that strong wellbeing guide for our students.
6. WE OFFER DIVERSE OPPORTUNITIES
St Columban’s is a community where the creative, unique and individual talents of every student are greatly appreciated, embraced and encouraged. Students can receive private keyboard or guitar lessons, audition for ASPIRE, participate in the bi-annual Learning Showcase, perform in the school choir, participate in sporting activities or join the social justice team.