28/11/2025

Port Macquarie Steiner School has reached an exciting milestone with construction now underway on the first stage of its new campus located at John Oxley Drive.

Federal Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan joined the Port Macquarie Steiner School and community members on Friday to celebrate the start of construction and commemorate the years of planning, vision and collaboration coming to fruition.

“The initial funding of $975,000 was awarded in 2022 by the Coalition Government under the Capital Grants Program, with additional funding of $470,000 subsequently with the change of Government provided in 2024 and $900,000 in 2025, which is wonderful to see,” Mr Conaghan stated.

“Investment in regional education is vital, particularly for schools like the Port Macquarie Steiner School, offering families a wholistic approach to learning that focus on children learning in a way that reflects their stage of development. This is a fantastic outcome for the Port Macquarie community. Congratulations to everyone involved.”

The project has also been supported by the extraordinary generosity of Building Fund donors, strong support from the local community and school fundraising efforts. Steiner Education nurtures the whole child and teachers work creatively to develop in them a lifelong love of learning. The integrated curriculum covers all key learning areas and is recognised by the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) as an alternate curriculum with equivalent educational outcomes.

“This is an exciting milestone for our school and families,” said Gail Sprott, Head of School at Port Macquarie Steiner School.

“Our new campus will provide a space where children can explore, create, and develop into confident, compassionate learners for life.”

The project follows five years of planning and design, with Edge Construction and Project Management Pty Ltd engaged to deliver this first stage with construction beginning in November 2025. Located on 4.2 acres of land at Thrumster, the campus design features purpose-built classrooms, administration area, hall, library, a courtyard amphitheatre and nature-inspired playgrounds, all designed to be in harmony with the natural environment. Once completed, the school will accommodate up to 170 students and 20 staff, supporting the region’s growing demand for Steiner education. Port Macquarie Steiner School first opened at Table Street in 2018. Thanks to the founders and dedicated teaching team, the School purchased four acres of land at Thrumster in 2020.

“This beautiful site reflects our purpose—to nurture the whole child. The move strengthens our commitment to offering wholistic Steiner education to families in the Port Macquarie-Hastings region.” Mel Ayriss, Founding Parent and Business Manager at Port Macquarie Steiner School.

The first three buildings are scheduled to open in the second half of 2026, marking the beginning of a transformative chapter for the school community. Enrolments for 2026 are now open at the current Table Street campus, with a staged relocation to the new John Oxley Drive campus planned later in the year.