Holy Name Primary School, Forster is a Catholic school educating students from Kindergarten to Year 6.
Staff at Holy Name strive for academic excellence in all Key Learning Areas while maintaining a supportive and Christian environment, with teaching strategies and practices consistently reviewed to ensure quality teaching and learning occurs through targeted improvements.
The school employs an ESL teacher who specialises in the support of students from non-English speaking backgrounds and a Learning Support Teacher to coordinate the provision of support for students. The Aboriginal Teacher and Education Officers support staff and students in developing the cultural knowledge of all members of the community and provide support for the academic achievement of the school’s Aboriginal students. The Gifted Education Mentor coordinates professional learning and strategies to support gifted students at Holy Name.
Creativity and cultural life are an integral part of the Holy Name school community with debating, public speaking, performing arts and music continuing to be an area of achievement for the school’s students. The music program offers private tuition for guitar, keyboard, clarinet, saxophone, all brass, drums and percussion and students have the opportunity to experience music outside the classroom by joining the school band, which is regarded as one of the best school bands in the district and supports the Great Lakes band at various community events.
Students are provided with the opportunity to represent and compete at local, state, national and diocesan levels in swimming, cross country, athletics, netball, soccer, rugby league, hockey, tennis, touch football and cricket. The schools internal and external sporting programs offer a wide range of sporting options and allows for special requirements and consideration for disadvantaged groups.
Holy Name's Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program gives students the opportunity to spend structured time in a productive vegetable garden and home-style kitchen to learn valuable skills and have hands-on experience with food production.
The school is well-equipped with modern facilities and state-of-the-art technology to maximise learning opportunities for all students. Access to SMART Boards, Smart TVs, iPads and laptops in every classroom, a contemporary well-resourced library and a learning support room and music room provide a stimulating and adaptable learning environment for students.
Holy Name places a high level of importance on community, service and leadership and ensures students develop a sense of belonging to and responsibility for their local community, with participation in community commemorative services and celebrations such as ANZAC Day, Remembrance Day and NAIDOC week, attendance at community events such as Junior Spirit and visiting local aged care facilities.
St Nicholas OOSH Forster provides before and after school care and vacation care in a fun, safe, supportive and inclusive environment onsite at Holy Name Primary School, where children can play, explore, be creative and use their imagination.
Students of Holy Name Primary School, Forster are encouraged to continue their Catholic education for Years 7 to 12 by attending St Clare's High School, Taree.
