## Overview
Comet Bay College is a public, co-educational high school serving students in Secret Harbour and surrounding areas. As a WA Department of Education school, it supports students from Year 7 through Year 12 with a comprehensive Western Australian curriculum.
The school generally functions as a medium-to-large campus with class sizes in the mid-20s to low-30s. The atmosphere is typically described as supportive, inclusive, and focused on both academic development and student wellbeing, with a culture that values community involvement and respect.
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## Academics & Learning
- Academic strengths: The school focuses on strong literacy and numeracy foundations, with emphasis on STEM, English, leadership opportunities, and language development as part of a well-rounded curriculum.
- Special programs: Access to extension and leadership initiatives, with pathways that may include vocational education and training (VET) opportunities and opportunities for project-based or accelerated learning where available.
- NAPLAN trends: Public WA high schools typically show steady or improving performance across key domains (reading, writing, numeracy) over time; CB College participates in the regular NAPLAN testing cycle with trends monitored by the school.
- Student-teacher ratios: Class sizes are generally in the mid-teens to low-30s range, with typical student-teacher ratios that allow for individual support within a whole-class setting.
- Support for diverse learners: Dedicated support for EAL (English as an Additional Language) learners and students with special needs, along with inclusive education practices and access to targeted support where appropriate.
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## Sports & Extracurricular Strengths
- Sports offered: A range of interschool sports and in-house programs, including team sports such as football, netball, basketball, soccer, cricket, and athletics, with opportunities to participate in school and regional competitions.
- Strong teams or achievements: Active involvement in inter-school events and representative teams, with regular opportunities to compete and demonstrate achievement across sport.
- Music, arts, drama programs: School ensembles and performing arts opportunities, including concert bands, choir, drama productions, and related arts activities.
- Clubs: Robotics, chess, coding, debating, and other practical and academic clubs commonly available to extend student interests.
- Partnerships: Connections with local clubs, industry and community groups, and participation in regional or interschool competitions to broaden experiences for students.
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## Wellbeing & Pastoral Care
- Anti-bullying approach: Whole-school commitment to a safe and respectful environment, with programs and clear reporting pathways for safeguarding all students.
- House system: A house-based structure is used to foster school spirit, teamwork, and healthy competition in events and activities.
- Counsellors / wellbeing officers: Access to guidance and wellbeing staff to support student mental health, career planning, and transition.
- Transition support for new students: Orientation activities, buddy programs, and ongoing support to help new students settle in and connect with peers and staff.
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## Facilities
- Sports grounds: Access to on-site sports fields and outdoor facilities for physical education and games.
- Libraries: Dedicated library spaces supporting study, research, and quiet reading.
- Science labs: Equipped science laboratories for practical experiments and STEM learning.
- Music/performing arts centers: Venues for music ensembles, productions, and arts education.
- Tech/innovation labs: Space for creative tech, digital learning, and practical projects.
- Cafeteria: On-site canteen or meal facilities to service students during the day.
- Updated playgrounds: Well-maintained outdoor spaces suitable for break times and social activities.
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## School Values & Community Culture
- Values / mission: A focus on respect, responsibility, excellence, and inclusion within a supportive school community.
- Leadership style: Distributed leadership with opportunities for student voice and leadership roles, encouraging participation in school improvement and decision-making.
- Behaviour expectations: Clear code of conduct emphasizing respectful behavior, personal accountability, and positive relationships.
- Community reputation: Generally viewed as a welcoming, community-oriented public school with active parental and local engagement.
- Diversity & inclusion: Commitment to a diverse and inclusive environment that supports all students to participate and thrive.
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## School Logistics & Daily Operations
- School hours: Typical school days run in the standard WA timetable, with start and finish times aligned to the public-school calendar.
- Before/after school care: Availability of supervision or care programs before and after school hours through school-supported or community services.
- Uniform requirements: School uniform policy in place, with details provided through the school’s communications.
- Transport (train/bus routes): Access via local bus routes and public transport; families should check current routes and schedules for the Secret Harbour area.
- Canteen availability: On-site canteen or lunch facilities providing options during the school day.
- Fees (low/medium/high ranges): As a public school, there is no tuition fee for standard enrollment; there may be optional costs for activities, camps, extracurriculars, or materials.
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## Enrolment & Admissions
11. What is the enrolment process and timeline?
- Enrolment for Year 7 (and other year levels as spaces allow) is typically handled through the WA Public School Online Applications system. Families should apply within the specified application window (dates vary by year) and provide required documentation (proof of residency, immunisation records, and any program-specific information). Offers are made in line with public schooling timelines and space availability, with priorities generally given to local intake and siblings as per Department of Education policies.
12. Is there a waiting list, and how does it work?
- Waiting lists can apply when year-level vacancies are limited. Local intake priority and sibling placements are common considerations; if a place becomes available, offers are extended according to the published policy and the applicant’s position on the wait list.
13. Are there any entry requirements, tests, or interviews?
- For standard enrollment in a public high school, there are typically no entrance exams. Some programs or selective opportunities may involve additional selection processes (interviews or criteria) depending on the year level and available programs. Immunisation records and proof of residency are usually required.
14. Does the school accept mid-year transfers?
- Mid-year transfers may be possible if vacancies exist and the school can accommodate the student within its timetables. Approval is subject to vacancy, student records from the previous school, and alignment with Department of Education policies. Parents may need to provide a current school report and other supporting documentation.
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## Frequently Asked Questions
- Why Parents Choose This School?
- Public option with a supportive community, established programs, and a focus on wellbeing and academics. Strong opportunities across core subjects and extracurriculars, with pathways for diverse learner needs.
- What type of student thrives at this school?
- Students who value a balanced mix of academics, sport, arts, and wellbeing; those who engage in team activities, clubs, and leadership opportunities tend to do well.
- What opportunities are available for students to extend their skills (academics, sports, arts)?
- Extension programs, leadership opportunities, sports teams, performing arts ensembles, robotics, coding, debating clubs, and language development.
- How does the school communicate with parents?
- Regular updates through parent newsletters, the school portal, email, and scheduled information nights; responsive staff and student services teams facilitate ongoing communication.
- What is the school’s approach to teaching and learning?
- A comprehensive curriculum aligned with the WA standards, student-centered approaches, differentiated instruction, and opportunities for practical, project-based learning.
- How does the school support students who need extra academic help?
- Access to learning support staff, EAL and SEN services, tutoring or targeted programs, and tailored intervention where appropriate.
- What support is available for academic challenges?
- Counseling, study support, and coordination with teachers to adapt learning plans; involvement of families in monitoring progress.
- How does the school communicate with parents? (duplicate question addressed above)
- What are the class sizes and how much individual attention do students receive?
- Class sizes are typically mid-20s to low-30s, with teachers providing differentiated instruction and targeted support where needed.
- What extracurricular and sports opportunities are available?
- A broad mix of sports, music and arts programs, clubs like robotics, chess, coding, and debating, plus local and regional competitions and performances.
- What facilities does the school offer (sports, science, arts)?
- Sports grounds, libraries, science labs, music/performing arts centers, tech/innovation labs, cafeteria, and updated outdoor spaces.
- What is the school’s approach to technology and digital learning?
- Integration of digital tools and resources to support learning, with access to computing facilities and online platforms as part of routine teaching.
- What transport and accessibility options are available?
- Local bus routes and public transport options; parking and accessibility considerations are typically supported for students and families.
- What are the typical school fees or additional costs?
- No tuition fees for standard enrollment; optional costs may apply for certain activities, trips, or materials.
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## Short Pros & Cons list
- Pros
- Public school with a broad curriculum and diverse extracurricular options
- Supportive wellbeing and pastoral care with a house system
- Range of facilities including science labs, music/arts spaces, and tech labs
- Inclusive environment with programs for diverse learners
- Cons
- Class sizes can vary and may be larger in some year levels
- Transport and after-school activity logistics depend on local services
- Availability of specific programs or advanced tracks may depend on student demand and spaces
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