From university education to vocational trades, schools cover all interests in Murwillumbah
Choosing the right education providers for your children and teens can be a confusing time for many parents. You want to be assured it is somewhere they are going to enjoy learning, and where they can make great friendships to take them through their schooling days.
So to help out take some of the stress of the decision-making, we have compiled a list of early childhood education, schools and tertiary training available in the town of Murwillumbah and its surrounding villages of Uki, Tyalgum and Burringbar in the Tweed Shire.
Childcare and early education
The Murwillumbah Early Education Centre is centrally located in Murwillumbah and provides care for babies from six weeks of age, to preschool children. They offer a rich array of learning opportunities through play, using natural spaces such as a bike track, veggie patch, mudplay area and magical pathway. MEEC also runs after hours school care and holiday programmes, and nutritious meals are made on site.
From infants to toddlers and preschoolers, Joey’s Pouch in Murwillumbah is a community-based, not-for-profit centre. Focusing on an education programme consistent with their values of environmental sustainability, integration between family, community and school, and respecting each child’s gifts and learning style.
Primary School
When it’s time for the kids to start school, St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School in South Murwillumbah is ready to offer a contemporary learning environment from kindergarten to year 6. With a roll of around 150 pupils, they are a single stream school, which means they have one class of each grade. Professional, highly qualified and dedicated teachers aim to work collaboratively to ensure every single student has their wellbeing and learning needs recognised and nurtured.
Image source: Murwillumbah Early Education Centre
The Small School is an independently-operated, progressive and democratic kindergarten to year 7 school in the heart of Murwillumbah. They take a holistic approach to education, using project and play-based learning, alongside an emergent curriculum (child-led learning) to inspire their students to be confident, happy and independent, all in a close-knit school community. And as the name suggests – it has a small roll of around 10-15 students at any one time.
Other options in the area include Mt St Patrick Primary, the Tweed Valley Adventist College (primary to year 12) and Sathya Sai College (also primary to year 12).
Secondary Schools
Wollumbin High School is a co-education secondary school, with around 450 students. The school is known in the community for providing a safe and supportive learning environment, with quality teaching and learning affirmed by the motto of ‘Together We Learn’ and is underpinned by the values of respect, responsibility, relationships and resilience. Close links have been established with certain universities, allowing some students to gain early entry to university degrees. And many school-based traineeships have resulted in employment for students, as well as HSC and industry accreditations.
Mt St Patrick College is the major co-educational Catholic high school for the region, with some students attending from both Pottsville and Kingscliff. It’s located on Church Hill, with beautiful views of the Tweed Valley, and is within walking distance of lots of sporting facilities.
Further education
When the next stage of education is required after high school, Murwillumbah has a number of opportunities available for young adults (and in fact, for anyone who is interested in upskilling for their job or changing careers).
Image source: Wollumbin High School
Southern Cross University has a wide range of excellent courses and beautiful campuses in both Bilinga, just over the border in Queensland, and Lismore, making it a wonderful choice for students wanting to stay in the area.
Murwillumbah TAFE is a popular choice for many, with a variety of courses on offer – from a Bachelor of Creative Practices, to a Diploma in Business or Human Resources, and a range of Certificate-level programmes. And whether it’s a stepping stone to University, or an entry point to a job, there’s something for everyone.
Murwillumbah Community College is another great option for adult and community education. As a small, not-for-profit college, it is a Registered Training Organisation providing Nationally Accredited Training as well as lifestyle and leisure courses. From horticulture, to early childhood education, technology and essential workplace skills – it’s all covered here.
For those interested in a career in truck driving, Budget Driver Training in Murwillumbah can provide all the training you need to gain your medium rigid, heavy rigid, heavy combination and multi combination. Ideal for getting a job in commercial truck driving, or in the mines, their experienced drive trainers and assessors are qualified to train students for either a NSW or QLD licence.
Well, that’s a wrap on some of the top education providers in the inland Tweed Shire Region, and isn’t it great to know there’s so many options for all ages! And it also goes to show that it’s a bit of an urban myth that only the big cities can offer quality schooling and tertiary studies – as this list proves.
Interested in learning what other schools and educational facilities are in the area? Check out our business directory.
