Turning of the soil ceremony marks new chapter for school

11/25/2025

School Founder Alanna Alfaro with MP Pat Conaghan and Business Development Manager Mel Ayriss

25 November 2025

Port Macquarie Steiner School has reached an exciting milestone with construction now underway on the first stage of the new campus located at John Oxley Drive, Thrumster. The first three buildings of the new campus are scheduled to open in the second half of 2026, marking the beginning of a transformative chapter for the school community.

The turning of the soil ceremony took place at the new campus location on the corner of Aspect Court and John Oxley Drive on Friday 28 November. The school community celebrated the start of construction and the years of planning, vision and collaboration coming to fruition.

Federal Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan congratulated the school community for bringing their vision to life. The first stage of the new campus has been made possible through a total of $2.345 million of Federal Government Funding through the Capital Grants Program, which awarded across the 2022, 2024 and 2025 grant rounds.

The project has also been supported by the extraordinary generosity of Building Fund donors, strong support from our local community and school fundraising efforts.

"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," said Mr Pat Conaghan.

Port Macquarie Steiner School Students Turn Soil at New Campus

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.

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.