The Norfolk
Island Central School's Website Here
Education Act
1931
Education Regulations
The Middlegate site
is where the original school
building was built and is still in use. The five classrooms in that part of the school are still in use, used
for Infants and some Primary classes. There are 21 classrooms at the school
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Teaching children in Norfolk Island in the modern era commenced in 1856 after the arrival of the Pitcairn Islanders on Norfolk. The children were already well-used to school as attendance was compulsory on Pitcairn.
Pitcairn children were first taught by mutineers, Edward Young and John Adams, and later by John Buffett and George Hunn Nobbs, who was the headmaster when they arrived to this island. Eventually Norfolk Island teachers were assisted by teachers from New South Wales. Education in Norfolk Island comes under the Norfolk Island Education Act 1931 and associated Regulations.
Norfolk Island has a pre-school called the Banyan Park Playcentre which was set up by parents many years ago and has done tremendous work in preparing kids for school life.
The Norfolk Island Central School enrols kids from the age of five and provides education from Kindergarten through to Year 12. It is not compulsory to continue school after the age of fifteen, although most kids do. The Norfolk Island Central School 'buys' the NSW curriculum and contracts the NSW Department of Education to supply teachers under a Memorandum of Understanding with the Commonwealth of Australia.
There are currently 300 children who attend the School but the number changes constantly due to itinerant workers who move in and out of Norfolk Island for work purposes.
The School is fortunate to have a very active Parents and Citizens Association which meets monthly at the School. The P & C raises money to assist with financing projects not funded by the Government and advises the School on community issues. The P & C holds an annual Easter Carnival which many in the community patronise, to contribute in a carnival atmosphere of fun and fundraising.
The School is situated at Middlegate. It has over 20 teachers - a Principal, 8 Infants/Primary, including 2 Executive Teachers and plus Release from face-to-face teachers. There are various Secondary teachers, including two Head Teachers. An STLD/Counsellor is also employed Kinder to Yr 8. The teacher/Librarian is a qualified TAFE teacher in Information Technology.Ancillary staff includes a Senior School Assistant, 1 Clerical Assistant and 1 Teachers Aide, Part-time Library Assistant, and a Gardener/Handyman 5 days per week.
Secondary students undertake English, Mathematics, Science, History and Geography with electives including Woodwork, Metalwork, Food Technology, Textiles and Design, History, Business Studies, Design and Technology, LOTE, Sports and Recreation.
School and Island sport activities include -
swimming, lifesaving, snorkelling, bowls, tennis, rugby league, soccer, golf, volleyball, basketball and scuba-diving.
A Year Six school tour is undertaken every year that gives all the students in that class the opportunity to visit Australia or New Zealand to experience life in those countries.
There is a 'cross-country' held each year and a very competitive athletics carnival is run during the year.
An annual school concert or show is produced by the teaching staff and generally includes primary and secondary student in the production.
There is a student radio station called 'Youth Radio' that is used to train secondary students in broadcasting who then get the opportunity to run programmes on the Norfolk Island Radio, Radio Norfolk. The station broadcasts on a low power around the school and on occasions connects to the Radio station for broadcast island-wide.
The Youth Assembly consists of kids from Year 7 to Year 10. They meet to discuss and debate issues affecting young people, as well as the community at large. The Assembly meets
weekly at the School as well as conducting a formal meeting in the Legislative Assembly Chamber once every month. The Youth Assembly was set up in 1999 by the Minister for Education to encourage kids to learn about the democratic processes of Government. The Formal meetings in the Legislative Assembly chamber are based closely on Parliamentary procedure. As Members reach the end of Year 10, they are replaced with a new intake from the incoming Year 7.Their website can be reached at http://www.nlk.nf/youthassembly.
Youth Advisory CouncilThe Norfolk Island Youth Advisory Council was created to give voice to individuals between the ages of 16 and 30, an age group often overlooked and under-represented in a community. The Council was set up under the Youth Advisory Council Act 2000 but is in abeyance at this time. http://www.nlk.nf/youthcouncil/home.htm.