Catherine McAuley College, Coolock Campus

## 1. Overview Catherine McAuley College, Coolock Campus in Junortoun, Victoria, is a Catholic, co-educational secondary college that emphasises a values-based education within a welcoming, inclusive community. The college offers a medium-sized campus environment where students can grow academically, socially and spiritually, supported by strong pastoral care and a focus on compassionate leadership. Class sizes are typically in the small-to-mid range, fostering close student–teacher relationships and personalised attention. The atmosphere blends faith-based community with a commitment to academic excellence, inclusive participation, and opportunities for students to grow as responsible and engaged citizens. --- ## 2. Academics & Learning - Academic strengths: English, Mathematics, Science and STEAM subjects are well-supported, with emphasis on literacy, numeracy and critical thinking. The campus provides pathways in senior secondary studies that prepare students for the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) and related enrichment options. - Special programs: Opportunities for extension and enrichment, including accelerated learning and gifted/talented pathways, with a focus on developing leadership and independent learning skills. - NAPLAN / trends: Over recent years, there has been a positive trend in NAPLAN results, with steady improvements in key areas such as reading and numeracy across cohorts. - Student-teacher ratios: Typical ratios are in the vicinity of 1:14–1:18, supporting meaningful teacher contact and targeted feedback. - Support for diverse learners: Strong support for diverse learners, including English as an Additional Language (EAL) programs, learning support, and dedicated staff to assist students with additional needs. --- ## 3. Sports & Extracurricular Strengths - Sports offered: Football (AFL), basketball, netball, soccer, tennis, athletics, cricket and other field sports are available, with opportunities to represent the college in interschool events. - Strong teams or achievements: Active participation in regional interschool competitions, with some teams achieving regional success and a culture that recognises teamwork and fair play. - Music, arts, drama programs: A vibrant arts program including music tuition, school productions and performing arts activities for students with varied interests. - Clubs: Robotics, chess, coding, debating and other interest-based clubs support students to explore passions beyond the classroom. - Partnerships: Local partnerships with community clubs and regional competitions provide additional pathways for competition, performance and creative projects. --- ## 4. Wellbeing & Pastoral Care - Anti-bullying approach: Clear anti-bullying policies with reporting channels and restorative practices to support a safe, respectful environment. - House system: A house-based pastoral structure fosters belonging, healthy competition and peer mentoring. - Counsellors / wellbeing officers: Access to school counsellors and wellbeing staff to support mental health, resilience and transition needs. - Transition support: Structured orientation for new students, buddy systems and targeted transition programs to ease starting at a new campus. --- ## 5. Facilities - Sports grounds: On-site sports fields and courts suitable for a range of physical education activities and competitive sports. - Libraries: Well-equipped library spaces that support study, research and quiet reading. - Science labs: Modern science laboratories for practical investigations across biology, chemistry and physics. - Music/performing arts centers: Dedicated spaces for music practice, drama rehearsals and school productions. - Tech/innovation labs: ICT and technology spaces to support coding, robotics and digital projects. - Cafeteria: On-site dining facilities offering a variety of meal and snack options. - Updated playgrounds: Modern outdoor spaces for recreation and break activities. --- ## 6. School Values & Community Culture - School values / mission: A Mercy/Catholic ethos emphasizing compassion, respect, service and community, integrated across learning and daily life. - Leadership style: Inclusive leadership that encourages student voice, collaboration with staff and opportunities for leadership roles within the student body. - Behaviour expectations: Clear behavioural standards focused on respect, responsibility and integrity, with consistent reinforcement across year levels. - Community reputation: A supportive, family-like culture recognised for its care of students and active involvement of families in the school community. - Diversity & inclusion: Commitment to welcoming and supporting students from diverse backgrounds and abilities, with inclusive practices embedded in school life. --- ## 7. School Logistics & Daily Operations - School hours: Typical school day runs from morning to afternoon with a structured timetable; exact start and finish times vary by year level. - Before/after school care: They offer arrangements for supervision and activities around school hours to support families. - Uniform requirements: A prescribed school uniform is worn by all students, with details provided by the campus on acceptable items. - Transport (train/bus routes): Access via regional bus routes and public transport; information on specific routes is provided by the campus and local transport authorities. - Canteen availability: Canteen or canteen services available to provide meals and snacks. - Fees (low/medium/high ranges): Fees are in the moderate-to-mid range for Catholic secondary schools in this region, with information and any concessions or scholarships available through the campus. --- ## 8. Enrolment & Admissions - 11. What is the enrolment process and timeline? - Submit an application and attend any information session or campus tour. - Complete any required assessments or provide relevant academic and support information. - Interview or conversation with staff may be part of the process. - Offers are made subject to vacancy, with a timeline coordinated by the campus. - Final enrolment steps include submitting required documents and paying any fees to secure placement. - 12. Is there a waiting list, and how does it work? - A waitlist may operate when all places are filled; applications placed on the list are typically ranked by date of application and any applicable priorities (e.g., siblings, staff children). - 13. Are there any entry requirements, tests, or interviews? - Some year levels may include an interview and consideration of prior academic records; tests are not universally required but may be used to guide placement or enrichment opportunities. - 14. Does the school accept mid-year transfers? - Mid-year transfers are considered where there are vacancies and can be accommodated subject to space and meeting eligibility requirements. --- ## 9. Frequently Asked Questions - Why Parents Choose This School? - A community-focused Catholic college that combines strong academics with values-based education, small-to-medium class sizes, dedicated staff and a supportive wellbeing program. - What type of student thrives at this school? - Students who are engaged, collaborative, principled and eager to participate in academics, faith-life, sports, arts and service to others. - What opportunities are available for students to extend their skills (academics, sports, arts)? - Enrichment and extension within the curriculum, VCE pathways, leadership opportunities, sports teams, performing arts and clubs such as robotics, coding, debating and chess. - How does the school communicate with parents? - Regular updates through school communications, parent portals or newsletters, email, phone calls and parent-teacher interviews; events and information sessions are held throughout the year. - What is the school’s approach to teaching and learning? - Student-centred, evidence-informed approaches with a focus on literacy and numeracy, collaborative learning, and the integration of Catholic values across the curriculum. - How does the school support students who need extra academic help? - Dedicated learning support staff, EAL and SEN services, targeted intervention programs and small-group or one-on-one support as needed. - What support is available for academic challenges? - Timely intervention plans, mentoring, additional tutoring sessions, and coordination with families to adjust learning goals and supports. - How does the school communicate with parents? (Yes, repeated) - See above: ongoing, transparent communication via multiple channels and regular formal updates. - What are the class sizes and how much individual attention do students receive? - Typical class sizes are in the 22–25 range, with opportunities for individual feedback and teacher support during and after class. - What extracurricular and sports opportunities are available? - A broad program including competitive sports, music, drama, robotics, coding, chess and debating, plus regional and interschool events. - What facilities does the school offer (sports, science, arts)? - Comprehensive facilities across sports grounds, libraries, science labs, performing arts spaces, tech/innovation labs and a canteen. - What is the school’s approach to technology and digital learning? - Integration of ICT and digital literacy across subjects with access to modern labs and resources to support coding, design and research projects. - What transport and accessibility options are available? - Regional bus routes and public transport access, with campus parking and drop-off areas; detailed transport information is available through the campus. - What are the typical school fees or additional costs? - Fees are in the moderate range for regional Catholic secondary schools, with uniform costs, book lists, excursions and additional activities to consider. --- ## 10. Short Pros & Cons list - Pros - Strong Catholic identity with values-based education and a caring, inclusive community - Medium-sized campus fosters close student–teacher relationships - Balanced focus on academics, wellbeing and extracurricular opportunities - Wide range of clubs and sports, with pathways in VCE and enrichment - Clear systems for pastoral care, transition support and student leadership - Cons - May require travel for families living farther away from Junortoun/Bendigo region - Fees typical of regional Catholic independent schools; families may need to budget for uniforms, activities and excursions - Some specialized programs or electives may be limited by campus size compared to larger city schools