Bathurst South Public School

## Overview Bathurst South Public School is a public, co-educational primary school that supports students across early years to upper primary. The school focuses on building confident, capable learners within a caring and inclusive community. The school aims to balance strong academic foundations with a emphasis on wellbeing, creativity, and participation in a range of activities. - School type: Public - School size: Medium - Class size: Approximately 20–25 students per class - Atmosphere/culture: Nurturing, inclusive, community-focused Bathurst South Public School strives to create a welcoming environment where students feel safe, supported and encouraged to try new things. The school fosters strong home–school partnerships and values student voice and leadership as part of daily learning. --- ## Academics & Learning - Academic strengths: Emphasis on literacy and numeracy, with additional focus on STEM activities, hands-on science and problem-solving. Leadership opportunities and programs to develop critical thinking and creativity are encouraged. - Special programs: Differentiated learning approaches to meet diverse needs, with opportunities for extension in areas such as literacy, numeracy and STEM. Gifted and talented pathways are available where appropriate. - NAPLAN trends: The school tracks year-to-year progress and aims for steady growth in reading and writing, with ongoing efforts to improve numeracy and comprehension across year levels. - Student-teacher ratios: Generally around 1:15 to 1:22, depending on grade and staffing. - Support for diverse learners: EAL/D support, inclusive education practices, and dedicated support staff for students with additional learning needs. --- ## Sports & Extracurricular Strengths - Sports offered: Soccer, netball, rugby league/league tag, athletics, cricket, swimming and fitness activities; opportunities for inter-school sport. - Strong teams or achievements: Regular participation in inter-school events with a focus on teamwork, sportsmanship and personal bests. - Music, arts, drama programs: School choir, music program and performances; opportunities to engage in drama and creative arts. - Clubs: Robotics, coding, chess, debating and other enrichment clubs to develop technical and thinking skills. - Partnerships: Connections with local clubs and regional competitions to extend learning beyond the classroom. This section highlights a well-rounded program aimed at engaging boys and girls in ages roughly 10–14 through a mix of team sports, arts, and STEM activities. --- ## Wellbeing & Pastoral Care - Anti-bullying approach: Clear policies and restorative practices aimed at creating a safe, respectful environment for all students. - House system: House groups support friendly competition, community building and leadership opportunities. - Counsellors / wellbeing officers: Access to school wellbeing staff to support social-emotional learning and student welfare. - Transition support for new students: Buddy systems, orientation activities and targeted support to help new students settle in. This section builds trust by showing a proactive approach to student wellbeing and supportive relationships. --- ## Facilities - Sports grounds: Accessible outdoor spaces for physical education and sports. - Libraries: A well-equipped library supporting literacy and inquiry. - Science labs: Dedicated spaces for hands-on science learning. - Music/performing arts centers: Facilities for music, drama performances and arts activities. - Tech/innovation labs: Makerspaces or computer labs to support coding and digital learning. - Cafeteria: On-site canteen or pupil meals/programs on certain days. - Updated playgrounds: Modern and safe play areas for breaks and physical activity. The facilities are described in a visual and simple way to help parents picture daily school life. --- ## School Values & Community Culture - School values / mission: Emphasis on respect, responsibility, resilience and teamwork; a culture of growth mindset and inclusion. - Leadership style: Collaborative leadership with teacher teams, student leadership opportunities and active parent involvement. - Behaviour expectations: Clear routines and positive behaviour expectations, aiming to recognise and reinforce good choices. - Community reputation: A welcoming, supportive community with active family engagement and partnerships. - Diversity & inclusion: Inclusive practices that celebrate diversity and ensure access to learning for all students. This section communicates the type of environment the school fosters and the kind of students who thrive there. --- ## School Logistics & Daily Operations - School hours: Typically 9:00 am–3:00 pm on school days. - Before/after school care: Availability of OSHC or community-based programs for before/after care. - Uniform requirements: NSW public school uniform; hat and appropriate footwear; consistent school dress standards. - Transport (train/bus routes): School-provided or community bus routes and local transport options; details vary by year and place. - Canteen availability: On-site canteen or lunch provisions on certain days; volunteers may support operations. - Fees (low/medium/high ranges): Public schools generally have low to modest voluntary contributions; there may be costs for excursions, activities, and uniforms. This section provides quick, practical details to help families plan daily routines and budgeting. --- ## Enrolment & Admissions 11. What is the enrolment process and timeline? - Enrolment is managed through the NSW Department of Education processes. Families typically verify eligibility based on local zoning, prepare required documents (proof of age, identity for a parent/guardian, proof of address, immunisation records), and submit an enrolment application within the school’s published timelines. Offers and placement communications occur through the school in coordination with the department. 12. Is there a waiting list, and how does it work? - If a year group is full, a waiting list may be used. Priority is usually given to students within the local catchment zone, with out-of-area placements considered when spaces exist. The school can advise on current wait times and next steps. 13. Are there any entry requirements, tests, or interviews? - Public primary schools typically do not require entrance tests for enrolment. An information session or initial meeting may occur, but there are generally no formal academic interviews. Verification of immunisation and residency is standard. 14. Does the school accept mid-year transfers? - Yes, mid-year transfers are possible if there is space in the appropriate grade. Families should contact the school as early as possible to discuss availability and required documentation. --- ## Frequently Asked Questions - Why Parents Choose This School? This school offers a nurturing, inclusive environment with a strong wellbeing program, dedicated staff and a focus on building foundational academic skills along with opportunities in sport, arts and technology. - What type of student thrives at this school? Students who are curious, collaborative, motivated to learn across subjects, and who participate in sport and arts tend to thrive in this setting. - What opportunities are available for students to extend their skills (academics, sports, arts)? There are extension tasks within the classroom, after-school clubs (robotics, coding, chess, debating), sports teams, and music/arts programs to broaden learning beyond core subjects. - How does the school communicate with parents? Through newsletters, email, the school website or portal, parent-teacher interviews, and regular updates on events and student progress. - What is the school’s approach to teaching and learning? The school uses differentiated instruction, inquiry-based learning, and evidence-based methods to meet diverse student needs and strengthen understanding. - How does the school support students who need extra academic help? Targeted small-group sessions, individual and small-group support plans, EAL/D and SEN support staff, and close collaboration with families. - What support is available for academic challenges? Early intervention programs, learning support teams and ongoing monitoring of progress help address challenges as they arise. - How does the school communicate with parents? (duplicate) See above: newsletters, emails, interviews, and digital communications. - What are the class sizes and how much individual attention do students receive? Typical class sizes are around 20–25 students, with teachers providing in-class instruction and targeted small-group support to assist individual learning needs. - What extracurricular and sports opportunities are available? A range of sports (soccer, netball, rugby league, athletics, cricket), music and arts programs, plus clubs such as robotics, coding, chess and debating. - What facilities does the school offer (sports, science, arts)? Libraries, science labs, music/performing arts spaces, sports grounds, and technology/innovation spaces, plus a canteen and updated play areas. - What is the school’s approach to technology and digital learning? Integrated digital literacy and learning with appropriate devices and safe-use practices; technology used to support inquiry, collaboration and creativity. - What transport and accessibility options are available? Transport options include local bus services and family-based arrangements; accessibility considerations are addressed in school planning and supports. - What are typical school fees or additional costs? Public primary schools have low voluntary contributions; some costs may arise for excursions, special programs, or uniforms. --- ## Short Pros & Cons list - Pros - Public, inclusive environment with strong wellbeing support - Moderate class sizes enabling accessible teacher attention - Broad range of extracurriculars (sport, arts, STEM) - Positive community involvement and family engagement - Modern facilities supporting diverse learning areas - Cons - As a regional school, course breadth may be more limited than larger schools - Transport and after-school options can depend on local arrangements - Waiting lists can occur for popular year groups in busy intake years