Primary School

Sunrise Naracoorte is an exciting Reception to Grade 10 school with a highly academic curriculum supported by Christian values. We aim to bring out the best in every student, whether that be through intellectual achievement or specialised hands-on learning. We focus on character development and life skills through our community electives and Kitchen Garden Program.

We are a Christian School open to all families. Every student is given the opportunity to gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence necessary for the transition to secondary and tertiary education and achieve their true potential in the wider world.

At the core of our philosophy is the understanding that faith is inherent in every aspect of life. Therefore, we do not teach ‘Bible’ or ‘Christian Studies’ as separate subjects. To do so is to imply that faith is separate from the rest of life. Instead, subject lessons bring opportunities to draw attention to the character of God or to expound on the intricacies of His creation.

Our junior school families share a close bond with our committed and caring staff, all of whom invest deeply in your child’s wellbeing. We aim to be an extension of the home, offering faith-based encouragement and support to all junior school students.

As part of the Primary School Program, students participate in a series of school camps that have been developed as a journey to build confidence and relationships. These camps are activity-based and help students build life skills, with a focus on outdoor education. Camps begin in Grade 3 with a sleepover at school, then culminating in a trip to Canberra in the final year of Primary School.

Parent Testimonial

Special Announcement - Fee Freeze

As part of our ongoing dedication to the well-being of our students and their families, we are implementing a fee freeze for the next two academic years (until January 2027). Read more.

Mid-Year Reception Intake

Sunrise Christian School Naracoorte is excited to introduce the commencement of the Mid-Year Reception Intake. Opting for a Term 3 start for your child comes with many advantages. The Mid-Year Reception Intake can ready your child for school, providing a smooth transition into Grade 1. Ensure a solid start to your child's educational journey with six terms of Reception.

If you're considering enrolling your child mid-year, Sunrise Christian School can help them develop self-confidence in a supportive school environment. Our school provides a nurturing atmosphere that prepares children for the years of schooling.

Learn more about Mid-Year Reception Intake

Bus Service

Our school offers a bus service before and after school. The services run to Lucindale, and a new bus to Penola is now available! For more information regarding the bus route, our policies, and the fees, please get in touch with us.

If you wish to register your child for the use of the school bus services, then a student participation/commitment form must be completed. This form is available from the front office.

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Phonics Program

At Sunrise, we take great pride in our Phonics Program. Years of development and refinement have led to outstanding outcomes for our students.

Phonics is an analytical approach to teaching literacy, providing students with the skills to successfully decode both known and unknown words. It is not just about memorisation, but rather, understanding the rules of why words are spelled and sound the way they do. Phonics has shown positive results in our classrooms, is backed by research, and has been perfected by teachers and educators for over 40 years.

Our Sunrise Phonics program is made up of:

Phonograms - Using the phonograms inspired by Spalding and LEM Phonics is the most comprehensive phonics approach available in Australia today. Each phonogram is taught in the order in which it occurs in the English Language, which provides inbuilt strategies for decoding print.
Fingerspelling - teaches children to blend and sound out words based on their phonograms. It provides the scaffolding needed for children to be actively engaged in working out how words are spelled.
Syllables - teaching students how words can be broken down into smaller units and then blended back together has been shown to be essential in teaching good spelling and reading strategies.

Knowledge of the Rules - enables children to approach reading with higher order thinking. Understanding the why can be empowering and motivating for children, rather than becoming a mindless, memory exercise.
Base Words and Endings - teaching students how words can be changed and manipulated by adding endings.

We make Phonics enjoyable for children and through these activities, children become excited about learning to read and write. We believe that Phonics is a crucial part of educating students for reading and writing, and we are dedicated to providing the best possible program to our students.