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, P&F 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 student'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 Brigid's

OUR CATHOLIC FAITH AND TRADITION

St Brigid’s Primary School is a vibrant community, committed to providing quality teaching and learning in an authentic Catholic environment. At St Brigid’s, we aim to live as witnesses of Christ within a true community, providing a welcoming atmosphere where each individual is respected and valued. We have a proud rich history of education continuity and tradition, servicing the community of Raymond Terrace and surrounding suburbs. At St Brigid’s, we have a clear educational focus of which Jesus Christ is the foundation, the source and the strength.

It is an explicit aim of the school to maintain an identity inspired by the work and spirit of the Sisters of Mercy, acknowledging our heritage listed school as a notable feature of the Raymond Terrace community. To this end, we aim to nurture positive working relationships between home, parish, school and the wider community, which reflects our motto of Truth and Trust.

CONTEMPORARY LEARNING

At St Brigid’s, we believe our students will best experience success through contemporary evidence-based learning and teaching. We are committed to 21st century pedagogy with an emphasis on collaboration, critical thinking, creativity and communication.

The contemporary learning approach utilised at St Brigid’s aims to equip students with the skills, tools and knowledge necessary to become independent learners in a modern learning environment. Technology is an integral part of learning at St Brigid’s. Every classroom is equipped with state-of-the-art technology including laptops, tablets, iPads and Smart Boards. Students are encouraged to develop STEM skills through critical thinking, coding club and problem solving.

Innovative learning methods integrate the use of supportive technologies, inquiry and problem-based approaches and higher order thinking skills. At St Brigid’s, we aim to nurture every student towards achieving their full potential, recognising that education is a lifelong process.

SUPPORTING THE WELLBEING OF OUR STUDENTS

St Brigid’s values each individual child and understands that its role is to provide a learning environment in which the full range of needs of our students can be addressed in our academic, pastoral and co-curricular programs. We have adopted an effective wellbeing and behaviour management model (BMP) built on the ‘Be You’ framework.

To foster a true relationship, students, staff and parents work in partnership to help each child reach their full potential. The BMP is individualised, predictable, consistent, positive and recognises student effort to learn in a safe and happy environment.

St Brigid’s Pastoral Care Worker provides support and assistance to members of the school community, encouraging students to value the opportunities that are made available to them. Students are invited to contribute to the school vegetable garden, collect eggs from the chook pen and learn to recycle fruit waste to feed the onsite chickens. The skills and knowledge gained from such pursuits ensures our students are exposed to a variety of learning experiences and well equipped to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

LEARNING SUPPORT SERVICES

St Brigid’s is an inclusive school community that prides itself on the positive constructive partnership visible between home and school. St Brigid’s aims to cater for the individual learning experiences of all students, recognising the needs of those with learning, behavioural, social and emotional needs. St Brigid’s employs a Learning Support Teacher (LST) who is responsible for the management of identified students in need of learning or behaviour support.

Students are also well supported by our school psychologist, counsellor, pastoral care worker and ESL teachers. Learning Support Assistants (LSA) provide in-class support for students with additional needs, ensuring a positive learning environment for all.

Our Defence Schools Transition Aide (DSTA) supports defence families within our school community. Our DSTA’s role includes welcoming, integrating, farewelling, and supporting families during times of parental absence. The focus for students is to build resilience and assist them when there is added stress due to being a Defence family. The DSTA also liaises and supports parents and carers.