History
A shared campus like no other
The School of the Nativity was founded in 1982 as part of the Aberfoyle Park Primary School Campus, alongside Pilgrim School (Uniting Church), Spence, and Heysen schools (Department for Education). This innovative model brought together government and non-government schools on one site, sharing facilities and resources while retaining their individual identities.
Each school was originally designed for about 180 students, with capacity to grow. The Campus was the first of its kind in South Australia, demonstrating a new level of cooperation across educational sectors.
Today, three schools remain—School of the Nativity, Pilgrim School, and Thiele Primary School. While each maintains its own character and beliefs, the schools collaborate closely, sharing programs, facilities, and specialist staff to create a richly unique and diverse learning environment.
Our Logo
The Campus Logo was designed by Mr Lou Rossato symbolising the integration of different educational systems and the four schools that were established in 1982. The four schools were School of the Nativity (Catholic Education), Pilgrim (Uniting Church), Spence (Department of Education and Child Development) and Heysen (Department of Education and Child development). The coloured representation of the Logo further reinforces this theme.
At the opening of the Campus the four coloured components of the logo represented the following:
In 2001 the Aberfoyle Park Preschool was relocated to the Campus and in 2008, due to demographic changes in the area, the two Department of Education and Child Development schools merged to become Thiele Primary School.
Following these changes, the logo now represents the three primary schools of School of the Nativity, Pilgrim School and Thiele Primary School and the Aberfoyle Park Campus Preschool. As pictured below, each aspect of the logo represents the three primary schools and the preschool.
What is the Aberfoyle Park Primary School Campus?
School of the Nativity is proud to be part of the Aberfoyle Park Primary School Campus, a unique educational community that brings together three school systems — Government, Catholic and Independent.
Established in 1982, the Campus was founded on a shared vision of innovation and collaboration in education. While each school maintains its own identity, all three work closely together to create rich and inclusive learning environments for every child, from preschool to primary years.
The Campus offers a range of educational advantages:
- A degree of choice for parents when deciding which school they want their children to attend
- Resources available to all schools that could not normally be financed by an individual school
- Sharing staff expertise between all schools
- Promoting acceptance and cooperation between the school community of children, parents and staff
Shared Campus facilities include:
- Performing Arts and Media Centre
- Campus Library
- A full size Campus Gymnasium
- Three large ovals
- Central Administration Office
- Multiple hard play spaces
- Large undercover hard play area (COLA)
- Nature play space
- Multiple playgrounds
- Large central courtyard
A Strong Sense of Belonging
The Campus experience gives students and families a genuine sense of belonging within a larger learning community which is fostered through:
- Participating in Campus Sports Teams
- Netball
- Soccer
- Basketball
- Cricket / Kanga Cricket
- AFL Football
- Sharing organised activities such as Book Week, Performing Arts Showcase, Instrumental Music Night, and Sports Day
- Sharing the same uniform
- Playing together in the playground
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September 13, 1981
Campus Foundation Stone
This stone commemorating the founding of a cooperative venture by the Education Department of South Australia, The Catholic Church and the Uniting Church in Australia was unveiled by John R Steinle, Director General of Education, on the 13th September 1981. -
February 10, 1981
Campus site, before construction
Pictured is the view of the Campus site before construction took place. The photos were taken on top of Campus Drive on February 10th 1981.
