All Saints Parish School

## 1. Overview (1–2 paragraphs max) All Saints Parish School Portland is a Catholic primary school dedicated to nurturing faith, character and academic growth within a close-knit community. The school is small to medium in size, offering a warm, inclusive atmosphere where students receive personalised support in a faith-based environment. As a parish school, it emphasises values-based education, strong relationships with families, and active involvement in the local community. The culture is collaborative and caring, focusing on the holistic development of each child—spiritually, academically, socially and physically. --- ## 2. Academics & Learning - Academic strengths: Literacy and numeracy, supported by a faith-informed approach to learning; emphasis on English, mathematics, and essential skills, with enrichment in arts and inquiry-based learning. - Special programs: Catholic identity and faith formation integrated into daily learning; potential access to Gifted & Talented or accelerated pathways where appropriate; targeted small-group instruction to meet diverse needs. - NAPLAN trends: Consistent participation with a focus on year-over-year growth in reading and numeracy; ongoing use of data to guide targeted intervention and support. - Student-teacher ratios: Approximately 1:12–1:16 across the school, enabling more individual attention and responsive teaching. - Support for diverse learners: EAL support where needed; SEN coordination and targeted support plans; inclusive practices to help all students access learning. --- ## 3. Sports & Extracurricular Strengths - Sports offered: Soccer, cricket, Australian Rules football, athletics, swimming and general fitness programs; active participation in local inter-school events. - Strong teams or achievements: Competitive involvement in inter-school activities with dedicated coaching and student leadership opportunities. - Music, arts, drama programs: School choir, music education and opportunities in performing arts; annual showcases or productions when possible. - Clubs: Robotics, coding, chess, debating and other enrichment activities that run during lunch or after school where feasible. - Partnerships: Collaboration with local clubs, archdiocesan programs and inter-school competitions to broaden opportunities outside classroom walls. --- ## 4. Wellbeing & Pastoral Care - Anti-bullying approach: Clear policy and proactive wellbeing programs, with regular wellbeing activities and digital citizenship education. - House system: House structure to foster healthy competition, teamwork, leadership roles and school spirit. - Counsellors / wellbeing officers: Access to school-based wellbeing support and referrals as needed; emphasis on emotional health and resilience. - Transition support for new students: Orientation activities, buddy systems and deliberate onboarding to help new families settle in. --- ## 5. Facilities - Sports grounds: On-site playing fields and designated activity spaces. - Libraries: School library with a range of books and learning resources. - Science labs: Well-equipped spaces to support hands-on science learning. - Music/performing arts centers: Space for music lessons, rehearsals and small-scale performances. - Tech/innovation labs: Classroom technology and potential makerspace resources to foster digital learning. - Cafeteria: On-site canteen or snack facilities supporting healthy choices. - Updated playgrounds: Safe, age-appropriate play areas and outdoor learning spaces. --- ## 6. School Values & Community Culture - School values / mission: Faith-based education grounded in compassion, respect, integrity and service; commitment to holistic development. - Leadership style: Distributed leadership with opportunities for student voice and leadership roles; strong involvement of teachers, staff and parish connections. - Behaviour expectations: Positive behaviour framework that recognises respectful conduct, responsibility and kindness. - Community reputation: Welcoming, family-oriented parish community with strong parental involvement and a supportive network. - Diversity & inclusion: Inclusive culture that welcomes students from diverse backgrounds and supports equitable access to learning. --- ## 7. School Logistics & Daily Operations - School hours: Typically a daytime schedule with start and finish times aligned to local primary norms; precise times published by the school at enrolment. - Before/after school care: Availability of before/after school care or coordination with local providers. - Uniform requirements: School uniform with seasonal options (summer and winter); clear guidelines on dress and appearance. - Transport (train/bus routes): Local transport options (buses or public transport) coordinated with families; some routes may be available depending on location. - Canteen availability: Canteen or lunch facilities offering healthy meal and snack options. - Fees (low/medium/high ranges): Fees are in the moderate range for a Catholic primary school, with information provided transparently by the school and available on request. --- ## 8. Enrolment & Admissions 11. What is the enrolment process and timeline? - Submit an online or paper application with required documents (birth certificate, immunisation status, baptism/school parish details where applicable). - Provide proof of identity and any parish/sibling information. - Attend an enrolment interview or information session with families; school may request supporting documentation. - If a place is available, an offer of enrolment is made; timing varies by term and demand. - Upon acceptance, complete required forms and pay any deposits; orientation or welcome session may be offered prior to start. 12. Is there a waiting list, and how does it work? - Waiting lists can apply when capacity is reached; places are allocated based on factors such as siblings, parish affiliation, and enrolment policy. Families on the waiting list will be contacted as spots become available, and timelines vary. 13. Are there any entry requirements, tests, or interviews? - Typically, an interview with families is conducted; there are usually no entry tests for primary-aged students. Immunisation requirements and basic eligibility checks may be requested, along with parish-related considerations. 14. Does the school accept mid-year transfers? - Yes, subject to space and alignment with enrolment policies. Documentation from the current school, transcripts or reports, and a transition plan may be required to support a smooth move. --- ## 9. Frequently Ask Questions - Why Parents Choose This School? - A close-knit Catholic community, supportive teachers, small class sizes and a faith-informed approach to learning. - What type of student thrives at this school? - Students who value a nurturing environment, strong sense of community, and holistic development across faith, academics and character. - What opportunities are available for students to extend their skills (academics, sports, arts)? - Enrichment in literacy and numeracy, arts and performing arts opportunities, sports programs, and clubs such as robotics, coding, and debating where feasible. - How does the school communicate with parents? - Regular newsletters, parent-teacher meetings, digital platforms for updates, and open channels with teachers and leadership. - What is the school’s approach to teaching and learning? - Student-centred, faith-integrated learning with differentiation to meet diverse needs, explicit instruction in core skills, and ongoing assessment to guide support. - How does the school support students who need extra academic help? - Targeted small-group interventions, access to SEN support and EAL assistance, and use of data to tailor learning plans. - What support is available for academic challenges? - Early identification, personalised plans, additional tutoring or coaching opportunities where available, and collaboration with families. - How does the school communicate with parents? (dup) - See above: regular updates through newsletters, meetings, and digital platforms. - What are the class sizes and how much individual attention do students receive? - Class sizes are small to medium, typically around 20–25 students, allowing for more individual attention and personalized feedback. - What extracurricular and sports opportunities are available? - A range of sports (soccer, cricket, AFL, athletics, swimming) plus clubs (robotics, coding, chess, debating) and arts programs. - What facilities does the school offer (sports, science, arts)? - Sports grounds, library, science labs, music/performing arts facilities, tech/innovation spaces, canteen, and play areas. - What is the school’s approach to technology and digital learning? - Integration of classroom technology and digital literacy, with age-appropriate tools to support learning and responsible use. - What transport and accessibility options are available? - Local transport options and coordinated arrangements where possible; details provided at enrolment. - What are the typical school fees or additional costs? - Fees are in the moderate range for a Catholic primary school; any additional costs or levies are communicated transparently by the school. --- ## 10. Short Pros & Cons list - Pros - Close-knit Catholic community with strong family involvement - Small to medium class sizes enabling personalised attention - Holistic focus on faith, wellbeing and academic development - Supportive pastoral care and well-being programs - Inclusive environment with opportunities in sport, arts and clubs - Cons - Smaller school might offer fewer elective options than larger schools - Transport and travel times can vary based on location - Facilities may be more compact than larger urban schools, depending on the site - Availability of certain programs or clubs may depend on staffing and enrollment