Sathya Sai Primary School
Ten Years of Learning with Love

It is with deep gratitude that we celebrate the tenth birthday of the Sathya Sai School in Murwillumbah.

Gratitude to Sri Sathya Sai Baba the "Teacher of teachers" for His inspirational direction of integrating the five human values of Truth, Right Conduct, Peace, Love and Non-Violence into every aspect of school life. Gratitude to all who have worked and given so much of their time and love, many on a voluntary basis, to bring the school through it's birth and infancy to this point.

Gratitude to those who through God's grace, have been able to gift resources towards the running of the school, and acquisition of property and buildings. Gratitude to all the students, past and present, who have carried the name of our school into the community so well.

History of the School

Anglican Church Hall became the Sathya Sai School

In 1995 a group of Australian devotees sought Sai Baba's blessing to set up a school in Australia. Robert and Wendy Cameron, and Robert's mother Francis Parry, who's property at Mt Warning was the home of a flourishing Sai Centre with many children attending Sai Spiritual Education, felt the time was ripe to start a Sai School. With the encouragement of Sri Ramanathan, the Central Coordinator at the time, a prospectus was prepared and presented to Sai Baba for his approval. Sai Baba blessed the school, and gave a yellow robe, and when asked why yellow? He replied "Very auspicious".

The school commenced at the Mt Warning Sai Centre in March 1997 with ten pupils.

The First Day Sathya Sai School, Mt Warning

Anne Evans was the teacher assisted by Linda Carlyon. Ann Evans was a very capable Steiner teacher who nurtured the school through its infancy. The school moved in February 1999 to a rented building in Condong St. near the centre of Murwillumbah, with Ms. Jane Blacklock as teacher. Ms. Jane Blacklock was also a most capable teacher, carrying four grades in one classroom. By the year 2000, Bob Molloy and Kay McNaught were providing some relief teaching. Jane taught at the Sai School for seven years and we warmly acknowledge her contribution.

By the end of the year 2000, the school had again outgrown this building. The decision was made to acquire a permanent building for the school. In 2001, due to the love and generosity of many devotees, the building located at 9 Nullum St, previously a church hall, was purchased. The property is situated opposite a beautiful park, and near community sporting fields.

In 2004, it became obvious that the school would need further expansion to accommodate the continued influx of students. Adjacent land was purchased in 2005, and plans drawn up for a full kindergarten to year six single stream school of approximately 170 students. Three portable classrooms were purchased to accommodate approximately 100 students.

The total school land area is now 0.45 hectares.

Children on Stage

The school is currently at full capacity with 110 students. An increase in enrolment will not be possible until new classrooms are built. The Sathya Sai Organisation of Australia and PNG expresses its appreciation to the school principals who have worked tirelessly to build the school's capacity and reputation as an Education in Human Values School with minimal resources. They are:

• 1997 - 1998  Anne Evans
• 1999 - 2003  Robert Molloy
• 2004 - 2005  Kay McNaught
• 2006 - to date  Bronwyn Gowing

In 2003 the NSW Board of Studies awarded the school a six-year Certificate of Registration, and stated that "the Sathya Sai School has successfully integrated Human Values into the general school curriculum".

The school has been acknowledged by the Association of Independent Schools and the Federal Government's Curriculum Corporation as a "Leader in Values Education"

In 2004, the Sathya Sai School, Murwillumbah met the requirements of the Sathya Sai Schools Accreditation Commission, and was awarded the accreditation certificate in recognition of the "quality of its education in fostering human excellence".

A key task is to integrate the five human values into the NSW Board of Studies Curriculum, and hence create a model for other schools to adopt. The broader objective is to advance Education in Human Values in all schools in Australia by making our E H V curriculum material, teaching methodology and experience available to all.

The Sathya Sai Institute of Education in Canberra has overall responsibility for teaching standards, staff performance, and curriculum development at the school.

The Sathya Sai Primary School is a non-religious school open to children from all backgrounds and charges no tuition fees.

Interaction with the community

The interest shown by parents in Murwillumbah to admit their children to this school is ample testimony that the school has been well received in the district. Parents, shopkeepers and bus drivers routinely comment on the good behaviour of the Sai school children.

The public has consistently been inspired by the conduct of the children, and the quality and content of programs presented at public events. The school continues to receive invitations for various events such as Harmony Day, at which the children sing value-based songs. Parents, State and Federal politicians have warmly acknowledged the school's objectives and the positive impact that Education in Human Values has on student behaviour.

Current Staffing Position

Staff of Sathya Sai Primary School, 2007

The school employs six full time and one part time professional staff. They are:

The others who assist with the running of the school are:-