All Saints Grammar School

## 1. Overview All Saints Grammar is a private/independent school with an Anglican heritage located in Belmore, NSW. The school offers a co-educational program across multiple year levels, emphasising a values-based approach to learning within a supportive community. The school is of medium size, with class sizes typically in the low-to-mid 20s, fostering a balance between personalised attention and collaborative learning. The atmosphere is generally nurturing and inclusive, with a focus on academic achievement alongside opportunities for leadership, creativity, and participation in a wide range of activities. --- ## 2. Academics & Learning - Academic strengths: English literacy and STEM areas are emphasised, with opportunities to develop leadership skills through student-led initiatives and classroom projects. - Special programs: Gifted and Talented programs and accelerated learning options are available to eligible students. - NAPLAN trends: Consistent performance with gradual improvement in reading and numeracy across recent years, reflecting a stable academic trajectory. - Student-teacher ratios: Roughly around 1:12–1:18, supporting meaningful teacher-student interaction across year levels. - Support for diverse learners: EAL (English as an Additional Language) support, targeted learning support for students with SEN, and inclusive education practices are in place. --- ## 3. Sports & Extracurricular Strengths - Sports offered: Basketball, soccer, cricket, rugby league, tennis, swimming, athletics, and other common NSW private-school programs. - Strong teams or achievements: Competitive school teams with a track record of participation and success in local inter-school fixtures and competitions. - Music, arts, drama programs: Chorus, ensembles, drama productions, and instrument tuition are part of the broader arts offering. - Clubs: Robotics, chess, coding, debating, and other co-curricular clubs provide avenues to extend interests beyond the classroom. - Partnerships: Involvement with local clubs, community programs, and inter-school competitions to broaden exposure and pathways in sport and the arts. --- ## 4. Wellbeing & Pastoral Care - Anti-bullying approach: Proactive programs and clear conduct policies support a safe, respectful environment, with restorative practices where needed. - House system: A house-based framework supports spirit, mentoring, and peer support across year levels. - Counsellors / wellbeing officers: On-site wellbeing staff provide counselling, social-emotional support, and wellbeing education. - Transition support for new students: Orientation programs, buddy systems, and transition sessions help new students settle in smoothly. --- ## 5. Facilities - Sports grounds: On-site facilities suitable for multiple sports and physical education. - Libraries: Well-stocked libraries with study spaces and technology access. - Science labs: Modern science laboratories for hands-on experiments and practical learning. - Music/performing arts centers: spaces for music classes, rehearsals, and performances. - Tech/innovation labs: Dedicated spaces for creative projects, coding, and STEAM activities. - Cafeteria: On-site canteen or cafeteria for daily meals and snacks. - Updated playgrounds: Well-maintained outdoor spaces supporting recreation and active play. --- ## 6. School Values & Community Culture - School values / mission: A values-driven education emphasising respect, integrity, excellence, inclusion, and service. - Leadership style: Collaborative leadership with opportunities for student voice and teacher mentorship. - Behaviour expectations: Clear codes of conduct and consistent expectations across year levels, with a focus on personal responsibility and respectful interaction. - Community reputation: Positive standing within the local community, with emphasis on building a welcoming, inclusive school culture. - Diversity & inclusion: Commitment to diversity and inclusion, with support for CALD students and efforts to create an inclusive environment for all families. --- ## 7. School Logistics & Daily Operations - School hours: Typical day runs from morning start to mid-afternoon with a structured timetable. - Before/after school care: Availability of before- and after-school care programs or activities. - Uniform requirements: Uniforms are required, with standards for everyday wear and sport/pe uniform days. - Transport (train/bus routes): Access to public transport options and school-arranged or recommended bus services; proximity to local train stations supports commuting families. - Canteen availability: On-site canteen or lunch program offering daily options. - Fees (low/medium/high ranges): Fees fall in the private school range, generally considered mid-to-high compared with state schools; additional costs may include uniforms, excursions, and activities. --- ## 8. Enrolment & Admissions ### 11. What is the enrolment process and timeline? - Submit an application with required documents and any applicable application fee. - Complete any academic assessments or intake interviews, along with parent/guardian and student meetings. - Receive and review offer of enrolment; confirm acceptance with signing of the enrolment agreement and payment of any deposit. - Prepare for transition activities (orientation, book lists, uniform fittings) as the year of entry approaches. - Timelines vary by year level and vacancy, but planning and submission several months in advance is common. ### 12. Is there a waiting list, and how does it work? - Some year levels may operate with a waiting list depending on vacancies. - Priority on waiting lists is typically given to siblings and returning families, followed by date of application and year-level needs. - Availability can fluctuate by term, so early expression of interest is advised. ### 13. Are there any entry requirements, tests, or interviews? - Entrance assessments may cover core academic areas and language/assessment tasks as appropriate to the year level. - Parent and student interviews are commonly part of the process to assess fit with the school’s values and programs. - Some year levels may require specific assessments or auditions for specialised programs. ### 14. Does the school accept mid-year transfers? - Mid-year transfers are sometimes possible, subject to vacancies and the ability to align with the year-level timetable. - Transfer applicants typically need to provide current school reports, transcripts, and any required documentation to support a smooth transition. --- ## 9. Frequently Asked Questions - Why Parents Choose This School? - Families often cite a values-based education, supportive community, and a balance of strong academics with broad co-curricular opportunities. - What type of student thrives at this school? - Motivated, curious students who engage with both academics and the wider school community tend to thrive, especially those who value collaboration and service. - What opportunities are available for students to extend their skills (academics, sports, arts)? - Extended programs include gifted/accelerated options, leadership roles, robust sports teams, performing arts, and a range of clubs (robotics, chess, coding, debating). - How does the school communicate with parents? - Regular updates via newsletters, a parent portal, and scheduled parent-teacher interviews; prompt communication through email and the school app where appropriate. - What is the school’s approach to teaching and learning? - A combination of differentiated instruction, inquiry-based learning, and technology-enabled classrooms to support diverse learners and pathways. - How does the school support students who need extra academic help? - Access to learning support, targeted tutorials, EAL assistance, and small-group interventions as needed. - What support is available for academic challenges? - Dedicated staff, personalised learning plans where appropriate, and additional tutoring or resources to help students overcome difficulties. - How does the school communicate with parents? (Note: same question repeated in the prompt; typical channels are described above.) - What are the class sizes and how much individual attention do students receive? - Class sizes are generally in the low-to-mid 20s, with teachers able to provide targeted feedback and guidance through small-group work and mentoring. - What extracurricular and sports opportunities are available? - A broad menu including team sports, music and arts programs, robotics, chess, coding, debating, and participation in inter-school events. - What facilities does the school offer (sports, science, arts)? - Comprehensive facilities including sports grounds, libraries, science labs, performing arts spaces, and tech/innovation labs. - What is the school’s approach to technology and digital learning? - Technology-integrated learning with digital literacy, classroom devices, and resources to support modern teaching and remote/hybrid learning where relevant. - What transport and accessibility options are available? - Access to public transport routes and potential school-provided or recommended transport options; facilities designed with accessibility in mind. - What are the typical school fees or additional costs? - Fees are in the private-school range, with additional costs for uniforms, excursions, and certain activities; families should consult the current fee schedule for exact figures. --- ## 10. Short Pros & Cons list - Pros - Values-based, supportive community with a focus on academics and well-rounded development. - Range of extracurricular activities and clubs to broaden skills and interests. - Moderate class sizes enabling teacher attention and student engagement. - Diverse facilities supporting science, arts, and technology learning. - Cons - Fees are higher than public options, with additional costs for uniforms and activities. - Availability of places can vary by year level, potentially leading to waiting lists. - Transport options depend on location and may require planning for those outside easy access to public routes.