The Nature School Secondary | The Nature School Port Macquarie

The Nature School Secondary fosters creativity, problem-solving, independent thinking, communication and collaboration.

Prospectus

TNS Secondary

The Nature SchoolTM (TNS) offers engaging nature-based learning to Secondary students from Years 7 to 10. Our Secondary program is fully Registered and Accredited by NESA, and delivers the NSW Syllabus across all key learning areas. We offer exciting elective options for Years 9 and 10, and our students are eligible to graduate with their Record of School Achievement (RoSA) at the end of Year 10. 

  We continue to extend our unique Learning Naturally framework, ensuring that wherever possible nature provides the lens through which our students learn. Aligned with our school's core values and educational philosophy, TNS emphasises field study learning and offsite excursions to enrich students' educational experiences. In addition, all students have timetabled opportunities to work on personal interest projects, as well as communal projects for the greater good. Our goal is to cultivate engaged global citizens, and students actively participate in and contribute to citizen science projects alongside their teachers. We value student voice and prioritise student wellbeing, with daily Wellbeing sessions timetabled across all grades.

Duke of Edinburgh's

At The Nature School, we believe that some of the most valuable learning happens beyond the classroom. That’s why we are proud to be an accredited provider of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award, empowering our students to challenge themselves, discover new interests and develop skills for life.

The Duke of Ed encourages young people to step outside their comfort zones, build independence and resilience, give back to their communities and embrace new adventures. Through activities such as volunteering, physical recreation, skill development and adventurous journeys, students learn the value of perseverance, teamwork and personal growth.

The Duke of Ed is a globally recognised youth framework that supports students to grow beyond the classroom through meaningful extra-curricular experiences. At TNS, students in Years 9 & 10 are supported to participate if they choose to.

At all levels of TNS, nature-based education supports the development of social and emotional intelligence and wellbeing.

Key Information

Information Sessions

If you are interested in enrolling your child at TNS Secondary, please contact admin@tns.nsw.edu.au to register for one of our information sessions or a school tour.

Is your child in Year 7 in 2027? Come along to our Year 7 Information Night! Wednesday, 6 May 2026

Term Dates 2026

Term 1

Staff commence: Wednesday 21 January

Kindy, Year 6 & Secondary Commence: Wednesday 28 January

Whole School Commences: Thursday 29 January

Term ends: Thursday 2 April

Term 2

Staff commence: Monday 20 April (pupil free day)

Students commence: Tuesday 21 April

Term ends: Friday 26 June

Term 3

Staff commence: Monday 20 July (pupil free day)

Students commence: Tuesday 21 July

Term ends: Friday 25 September

Term 4

Staff commence: Monday 12 October (pupil free day)

Students commence: Tuesday 13 October

Term ends: Wednesday 9 December

(Staff finish: Friday 11 December)

Term Dates 2027

Term 1

Staff commence: Monday 25 January

Kindy, Year 6 & all Secondary Commence: Monday 1 February

Whole School Commences: Tuesday 2 February

Term ends: Friday 9 April

Term 2

Staff commence: Tuesday 27 April (pupil free day)

Students commence: Wednesday 28 April

Term ends: Friday 25 June

Term 3

Staff commence: Monday 19 July (pupil free day)

Students commence: Tuesday 20 July

Term ends: Friday 24 September

Term 4

Staff commence: Monday 11 October (pupil free day)

Students commence: Tuesday 12 October

Term ends: Wednesday 8 December

Staff finish: Friday 10 December

Program Fees

Download TNS Schedule of fees here

Schedule of Fees

Enrolment

Interested families are invited to complete an electronic waitlist application.

For more information, see our enrolment page.

Enrolment

Stage 5 RoSA Handbook

Download Assessment and Reporting Statement

To learn more, download our prospectus, or view our FAQs

Download Prospectus FAQs

Come and join the adventure as we grow a School!

To register your interest in enrolling your child at TNSS please complete and return the waitlist application below.

Waitlist Application

Connect

We value connected learning opportunities, connecting with our community, and connection with nature.

Protect

We value childhood, protect the rights of children, and advocate for protection of the environment.

Respect

We value self respect, respect for others, and respect for the natural world.

We acknowledge the Birpai people who are the traditional custodians of the land on which we learn and work together at The Nature School. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and commit to build relationships, respect and opportunities for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.