Part of the beauty living in the Adelaide Hills is that you are spoilt for choice when it comes to your children’s education. You won’t need to compromise on education or sacrifice travel time in order to live in your dream home location.
The Adelaide Hills are an idyllic setting for a childhood. The escapism of creeks, hills, trees, valleys and lots of open space allows for a freedom that is sadly lacking in many suburban and inner-city environments.
There is a solid cross-section of private, public and specialised schooling is available in the Hills. Whether pre-school, primary, high school or TAFE, with a mix of traditional frameworks, modern philosophies or religious affiliation, the hills are alive with the sound of education.
At Newenham, we are excited to add to this by announcing that King’s Baptist Grammar School has recently opened a new private school offering ELC to Year 3 from 2024, and will grow by one year level each year thereafter to become ELC to Year 12 by 2033.
Located on Bollen Road, it is easily accessible via the Linear Park Trail along the Western Flat Creek allowing for parents and children to safely walk or ride to school every day. The Mount Barker linear trail winds through Keith Stephenson Reserve – connecting students and families from Laratinga wetlands all the way to Newenham.
Joining with Mount Barker Baptist Church, having a faith-based school right on the doorstep for our residents adding to the existing community spirit at Newenham and providing choice and diversity for parents when choosing a great education for their children in Mount Barker.
They encourage early applications to increase the likelihood of securing a place for your child, however if you have missed out, we have put together this handy comprehenive guide so you can start planning your family’s future today. Have a look at the other local education options that are available to you and your family below.
ELC to YEAR 12
King’s Baptist Grammar School // Mount Barker, Adelaide Hills
King’s Baptist Grammar School, Mount Barker campus is an ELC to Year 12 school at Newenham. With an already established Wynn Vale campus with a strong reputation for academic excellence, performing arts and sporting achievements, they have joined together with the Mount Barker Baptist Church to now offer another campus and give families in the Adelaide Hills the same learning opportunities. Find out more about their new campus here…kingsbaptist.sa.edu.au/adelaide-hills
Tyndale Christian School // Strathalbyn, Adelaide Hills
Tyndale is an ELC to Year 12 school that is focused on teaching their students to belong to their community and become part of a family. Their curriculum is based around finding the balance between individuals student’s needs and external requirements, giving every student the opportunity for success, catering their curriculum for low and high academic performance, and intellectual rigour. Separated into four campuses, their ELC and Primary School is located on Chapel Street, Strathalbyn while their Middle School and Senior School is situated on East Terrace, Strathalbyn. Find out more here…st.tyndale.sa.edu.au
PRESCHOOL AND EARLY LEARNING
Hahndorf Preschool & Primary School // Hahndorf, Adelaide Hills
Primary and Preschool // Public
Hahndorf Preschool prioritises preschool as a very important part of a child’s start to their formal education. They focus on providing a high-quality educational program that supports the development of each child in a safe and stimulating play environment. They ensure quality children’s learning through an inclusive play based curriculum. Hahndorf Preschool Playgroup runs on a Wednesday morning catering for children from 0-4 years. Get in touch here … hahndorfps.sa.edu.au
Littlehampton Primary & Preschool // Littlehampton, Adelaide Hills
Preschool and Primary // Public
The Littlehampton Preschool provides the perfect setting for younger children to learn how to interact with teachers and other children in a positive, supportive environment. They aim to foster imagination, creativity and cooperation by engaging preschoolers in fun activities that encourage teamwork and learning through play. Find them here… littlehamptonps.sa.edu.au
Little Nook ELC // Hanhdorf, Adelaide Hills
Montessori Preschool // Private
Montessori Schools operate on a very particular ethos. They believe that all children are unique in their own individual way and that children have the right to reach their full potential. Architecturally designed, the Little Nook has play spaces divided into age appropriate nooks, filled with beauty, nature and order to inspire, engage and activate the child’s own natural desire to learn through their own experience at their own pace. The Little Nook caters to infants (0-2 years), toddlers (2-3 years) and preschool (3+ years) age children. Contact them today here… littlenookearlylearning.com.au
Willow Close Preschool Centre // Mount Barker, Adelaide Hills
Preschool // Public
Willow Close Preschool Centre aims to create a warm, caring and supportive environment where both children and parents feel welcome as an integral part of the Centre. Each child is valued as an individual with unique needs, strengths and abilities. Discover more here… willowpre.sa.edu.au
PRIMARY SCHOOLS
Aldgate Primary School // Aldgate, Adelaide Hills
Primary // Public
Aldgate Primary School is a growing Reception to Year 7 school situated on spacious grounds in the Adelaide Hills. Diversity is valued at Aldgate and they operate an inclusive learning environment that caters to all students including those with special learning needs. Get in touch with them here… aldgateps.sa.edu.au
Bridgewater Primary School // Bridgewater, Adelaide Hills
Primary // Public
Bridgewater Primary, nestled in the Adelaide Hills, aims to develop and sustain a dynamic learning community. They aim to make students who are successful learners, actively involved in personally planning, managing and tracking their learning, without the distraction of comparative assessment. Find them here … bridgeps.sa.edu.au
Crafers Primary School // Crafers, Adelaide Hills
Primary and Preschool // Public
Crafers Primary School, complete with its own pine forest, has an abundance of dedicated teachers and a strong family participation ethos to help offer your child a high quality and diverse education. The welcoming parent community isn’t the only plus, as the extra-curricular activities include a drama performance group, maths club and Children’s University. If you would like to learn more about the Children’s University or more pros of this school, you can find them here … crafersps.sa.edu.au
Echunga Primary School // Echunga, Adelaide Hills
Primary | Preschool // Public
Echunga Primary is a small Preschool to Year 7 school. The school strives towards academic, social, emotional and personal achievement for your children, that promotes the pursuit of excellence and the understanding of others. Find them here… echungaps.sa.edu.au
Hahndorf Primary School // Hahndorf, Adelaide Hills
Primary | Preschool // Public
Hahndorf Primary caters for children from Preschool to Year 7. The school values respectful relationships, rigour in learning and providing their students with an education that empowers them to live in a changing world as global citizens. Get in touch here… hahndorfps.sa.edu.au
Heathfield Primary School // Heathfield, Adelaide Hills
Primary // Public
Heathfield has a school motto of Harmony, Progress and Success. This is supported in their friendly, supportive and challenging learning environment. They aim to encourage children to develop skills, capabilities, understandings and dispositions that make them effective citizens and responsible decision makers in a changing global society. See what Heathfield has to offer here… heathfieldps.sa.edu.au
Mount Barker Primary School // Mount Barker, Adelaide Hills
Primary // Public
The purpose of Mt Barker Primary School is to provide every student, from Reception to Year 7, with a high quality, rich and challenging curriculum. Classroom teachers work in teams, i.e. Early Years (Reception to Year 2), Primary Years (Year 3, 4 and 5) and Middle Years (Year 6 & 7) to maximise their expertise and experience when working with groups of students. Click to discover Mount Barker Primary School… mtbarkerps.sa.edu.au
Mylor Primary School // Mylor, Adelaide Hills
Primary // Public
Mylor Primary is all about innovative, tech-integrated learning. They aim to strengthen the school community through nurturing and developing confident, caring individuals. Future proofing skills for the new world economy is at the heart of their ethos. Find out for yourself here… mylorps.sa.edu.au
Nairne Primary School // Nairne, Adelaide Hills
Primary // Public
Just 10 minutes from Mount Barker, Nairne Primary aims to give students the skills to succeed in life, nurturing them into lifelong independent learners who have a strong sense of belonging within their school, local and global communities. From Preschool to Year 7, Nairne Primary School also specialises in specific programs for students with disabilities, as well as a highly skilled team of SSOs. Follow the link to get in touch… nairneps.sa.edu.au
Norton Summit Primary School // Norton Summit, Adelaide Hills
Primary and Preschool // Public
Enjoy the benefits of a semi-rural school with small class sizes, personalised learning and instilled community spirit. With core values of excellence, respect, care and trust, the school boast a positive space to learn and a stunning surrounding environment – think koala-clad trees, shady playgrounds, sloping paths and natural play areas. To learn more about the benefits of a semi-rural primary school, you can find them here … nortonps.sa.edu.au
St Catherine’s School // Stirling, Adelaide Hills
Primary // Private
With a strong academic focus, as well as a focus on wellbeing and supporting the needs of students and families within the community, St Catherine’s caters for students from Reception to Year 6, runs a 4 year old Transition program and has a playgroup. Find them here… stcaths.catholic.edu.au
St Mark’s Lutheran School // Mount Barker, Adelaide Hills
Primary // Private
St Mark’s is a Lutheran Christian school providing education to families within the Adelaide Hills. An independent coeducational Foundation to Year 6 primary school with a student population of 350. To see them in action, visit here today… stmarks.sa.edu.au
Uraidla Primary School
Primary and Preschool // Public
With a school motto of ‘Learn – Stand – Give – Fly’, Uraidla Primary School develops children to be equipped with all the necessary skills to be successful in their learning career. They also aim to prepare them for life by being confident learners, contributors to their community, and lastly, curious and adventurous. If these values are important to instil in your children, find more information here … uraidlaps.sa.edu.au
Woodside Primary School // Woodside, Adelaide Hills
Primary // Public
Woodside Primary School has a strong teaching focus on literacy, numeracy and science all while valuing education and their student’s voice. Find them here… woodsideps.sa.edu.au
PRIMARY & SECONDARY SCHOOLS
Cornerstone College // Mount Barker, Adelaide Hills
Secondary // Private
Cornerstone College, founded in 1990, is an independent co-educational Lutheran Secondary College for Years 7 to 12. Their exceptional approach to learning and wellbeing provides the greatest possible opportunities for your child to flourish. Discover for yourself here… cornerstone.sa.edu.au
Eastern Fleurieu School // Strathalbyn, South Australia
Primary | Secondary // Public
The Eastern Fleurieu School is a cooperative community where self-worth and mutual respect are valued in providing quality programmes for successful life-long learning. The core business of the school is to provide the best quality teaching and learning in a supportive environment for all students. Discover more here… easternfleurieu.sa.edu.au
Hills Montessori School // Aldgate, Adelaide Hills Preschool | Primary | Middle // Private
The Hills Montessori School is an environment that is dedicated to educating the whole child and guiding their individual development. The school aims to offer a secure, happy and resource-filled environment on two campuses for your child’s education beginning in the 0-3 Infant Community through to Year 10 at the Middle School. Find out if this is the school for your child here… montessori.sa.edu.au
Mount Barker Waldorf School // Mount Barker, Adelaide Hills
Primary | Secondary // Private
Mount Barker Waldorf School is one of the leading Steiner schools in Australia and offers a full Waldorf curriculum from Kindergarten to Year 12, focusing on a unique education based on Rudolf Steiner’s philosophy of pedagogy. Discover their philosophy here… mtbarkerwaldorf.sa.edu.au
Oakbank Area School // Oakbank, Adelaide Hills
Primary | Secondary // Public
A Reception to Year 12 state school in the Adelaide Hills that prides itself on providing holistic education and an effortless transition into secondary education. The caring staff encourage students to build on their personal strengths and abilities to develop positive and respectful relationships. Learn about them here… oakbankas.sa.edu.au
St Francis de Sales College // Mount Barker, Adelaide Hills
Primary | Secondary // Private
The only reception to year 12 Catholic co-educational college located in the heart of the Adelaide Hills, situated in the thriving centre of Mt Barker. Discover St Francis here… stfrancis.catholic.edu.au
St Michael’s Lutheran Primary School // Hahndorf, Adelaide Hills
Primary | Middle // Private
St. Michael’s Lutheran Primary School is a Foundation to Year 7 co-educational school nestled in the historic township of Hahndorf. They aim to embrace childhood, understanding that this is a precious and short period of life and that the ability to work together to find solutions, often in global communities, is a critical skill for our students. Find their ethos here… stmichaels.sa.edu.au
The Hills Christian Community School // Verdun, Adelaide Hills Preschool | Primary | Secondary // Private
Catering for children from the Early Learning Centre to Year 12, HCC offers a broad yet balanced educational programme including German, Physical Education, Music/Drama and Computing as specialist lessons with Christian Education sensitively incorporated into all aspects of school life. Get in touch today here… hccs.sa.edu.au
HIGH SCHOOL
Heathfield High School // Heathfield, Adelaide Hills
Secondary // Public Schools
The school focuses on the joy of ongoing learning, providing students with the tools to learn and think for themselves, with an aim of unlocking the individual passion in each and every student. You can contact them for more information here … hhs.sa.edu.au
Mount Barker High School // Mount Barker, Adelaide Hills
Secondary // Public Schools
Mount Barker High School brings together a rare and exhilarating blend of academic excellence, social engagement, sporting prowess and cultural enrichment, where the students stand at the heart of everything they do. You can discover them here… mtbhs.sa.edu.au
LATER LEARNING
Mount Barker TAFE SA // Mount Barker, Adelaide Hills
Higher Education // Fee Paying
TAFE SA is South Australia’s largest vocational education and training (VET) provider and one of the largest in Australia. It is also a registered higher education provider. The Mount Barker campus offers both award and short courses in a wide range of disciplines and skill levels. Discover more here… tafesa.edu.au
Phewww! That’s a long list, which is by no means exhaustive, yet still bursting with educational options for you and your family. If you’re thinking of making a move to the Adelaide Hills, you need not fear or compromise on your children’s education. There is so much to see and do in Mount Barker and the surrounding Hills region – it really is a dream location to raise a family.
Come up and see for yourself and while you’re there, visit our beautifully restored Sales and Information Centre at 164 Flaxley Road, Mount Barker – check the website for open hours.
To secure your future in this beautiful pocket of the Adelaide Hills and to see why you’ll love living at Newenham, view our land for sale page for more information, then contact our friendly sales team on 0429 107 497.
We look forward to welcoming you to Newenham soon.
