Cunnamulla P-12 State School

## 1. Overview Cunnamulla P-12 State School is a public, co-educational school offering Prep to Year 12 in Queensland’s rural town of Cunnamulla. As a single-campus P-12 school, it focuses on providing inclusive, community-oriented learning with a strong emphasis on student wellbeing and practical, real-world education. The school tends to have a smaller, tight-knit feel that supports close relationships between students, teachers and families. Typical class sizes are smaller than many urban schools, helping create a supportive, family-like atmosphere where students are encouraged to participate, try new things and build resilience. The campus culture emphasises inclusion, practical learning and community involvement, with a focus on developing responsible, capable young people. --- ## 2. Academics & Learning - Academic strengths: English literacy and numeracy, STEM-focused learning, and leadership development through student programs and student councils. - Special programs: Enrichment and support opportunities are provided within the school structure; targeted support for students with diverse learning needs may be available, including additional literacy/numeracy assistance and access to SEN support. - NAPLAN / trends: NAPLAN performance typically shows steady progress with year-to-year improvements in targeted domains and consistent performance relative to state benchmarks; emphasis is often placed on growth and improvement over raw scores. - Student-teacher ratios: Rural P-12 contexts often feature smaller student-to-teacher ratios than larger city schools, enabling more individualised attention and tailored teaching approaches. - Support for diverse learners: Dedicated support for diverse learners, including assistance for students with additional learning needs and, where applicable, language support services (EAL) as needed. --- ## 3. Sports & Extracurricular Strengths - Sports offered: Netball, cricket, rugby league, football (soccer), basketball, athletics, swimming, and other regional community programs as available. - Strong teams or achievements: Participation in regional inter-school events with opportunities to showcase talent in multiple sports; emphasis on teamwork, sportsmanship and personal development. - Music, arts, drama programs: Access to music and performing arts opportunities as part of the broader co-curricular offering; school productions and performances are supported where feasible. - Clubs: Robotics, chess, coding, debating and other clubs commonly available to expand practical skills and critical thinking. - Partnerships: Local community groups and regional sporting and arts networks provide pathways for competitions, showcases and collaborative projects. --- ## 4. Wellbeing & Pastoral Care - Anti-bullying approach: Proactive, student-focused anti-bullying measures with clear reporting pathways and supportive responses. - House system: A house or similar structure is used to foster school spirit, teamwork, responsibility and positive peer relationships. - Counsellors / wellbeing officers: Access to school-based wellbeing staff to support emotional health, resilience and social development. - Transition support for new students: Guidance and transition activities to help new students settle in, make connections and understand school routines. --- ## 5. Facilities - Sports grounds: On-site spaces for physical education and sports activities. - Libraries: A dedicated library for study, reading and research. - Science labs: Dedicated science facilities to support practical experiments and STEM learning. - Music/performing arts centers: Facilities to support music and drama activities and showcases. - Tech/innovation labs: Computer/computer science and technology-education spaces to support digital learning and innovation. - Cafeteria: On-site catering or canteen facilities for meals and snacks. - Updated playgrounds: Outdoor play areas and recreational spaces supporting active learning. --- ## 6. School Values & Community Culture - School values / mission: A focus on respect, responsibility, inclusivity and resilience, with an emphasis on preparing students for life beyond school and contributing to the local community. - Leadership style: Student voice is encouraged; leadership opportunities exist through student councils, clubs and project work. - Behaviour expectations: Clear behavioural expectations aligned with respectful conduct, safety and responsibility. - Community reputation: Known for a close-knit, supportive community that values local engagement and practical learning experiences. - Diversity & inclusion: Commitment to inclusive practices and fairness, aiming to make all students feel welcome and supported. --- ## 7. School Logistics & Daily Operations - School hours: Typical school day aligns with regional Queensland norms, with start and finish times that fit the local timetable (exact times may vary by year/group). - Before/after school care: Availability of supervised care before and after school where offered by the school or local providers. - Uniform requirements: School uniforms are part of daily life, with guidance provided on attire and acceptable dress. - Transport (bus routes): School bus services or coordinated transport options available to regional students, with scheduled routes and pick-up points. - Canteen availability: On-site canteen or lunch facilities providing meals and snacks. - Fees (low/medium/high ranges): School-related costs fall within typical rural public-school ranges, with government subsidies and uniform/book costs to consider. --- ## 8. Enrolment & Admissions 11. What is the enrolment process and timeline? - Submit an enrolment application through the school system, with documentation such as proof of age and residency, immunisation data and prior school records as required. Timelines vary by intake period; there is usually a processing period before the start of the school year or term. 12. Is there a waiting list, and how does it work? - Waiting lists can occur when the school is at capacity. Placement often depends on factors such as year level availability and, where applicable, sibling priority. The school can provide guidance on expected wait times. 13. Are there any entry requirements, tests, or interviews? - Enrolment generally does not require entrance tests, but schools may conduct information meetings or intake discussions to understand student needs and to plan support if required. 14. Does the school accept mid-year transfers? - Mid-year transfers are possible if there is available capacity and appropriate transition planning is in place. Parents should contact the school early to discuss spaces and required documentation. --- ## 9. Frequently Asked Questions - Why Parents Choose This School? - A close-knit, supportive community; smaller class sizes; strong pastoral care; a focus on practical learning and real-life skills within a rural setting. - What type of student thrives at this school? - Students who value close relationships with teachers, hands-on learning, resilience in a rural context, and opportunities to participate in a broad P-12 program. - What opportunities are available for students to extend their skills (academics, sports, arts)? - A mix of core academic programs, STEM and literacy support, leadership and club activities (robotics, coding, debating), regional sports and performing arts opportunities. - How does the school communicate with parents? - Through regular newsletters, emails, parent-teacher meetings, and school portals or apps that share updates on events, student progress and upcoming activities. - What is the school’s approach to teaching and learning? - Student-centred, inclusive and practical, with emphasis on literacy, numeracy, critical thinking, and real-world applications. - How does the school support students who need extra academic help? - Targeted literacy and numeracy support, remediation programs, and access to support staff for students with additional learning needs. - What support is available for academic challenges? - In-school intervention, personalised learning plans, and referrals to additional resources or specialist services as needed. - How does the school communicate with parents? (repeated) - See above: newsletters, emails, meetings, and digital portals. - What are the class sizes and how much individual attention do students receive? - Class sizes are smaller than many urban schools, allowing more individualised attention from teachers, with frequent feedback and targeted support. - What extracurricular and sports opportunities are available? - A range of sports (netball, cricket, rugby league, football, basketball, athletics, swimming), plus clubs such as robotics, chess, coding and debating, along with arts and music programs. - What facilities does the school offer (sports, science, arts)? - On-site sports grounds, library, science labs, music/performing arts spaces, tech/innovation labs, canteen, and updated outdoor play areas. - What is the school’s approach to technology and digital learning? - Integration of digital tools across learning activities, with access to computer labs and appropriate online resources to support learning and creativity. - What transport and accessibility options are available? - Regional bus services or transportation arrangements to support students commuting to and from the school, with accessible facilities as applicable. - What are the typical school fees or additional costs? - Public-school funding covers core education, with additional costs for uniforms, books, excursions or activities; government subsidies and family payment plans are typically available. --- ## 10. Short Pros & Cons list - Pros - Close-knit, supportive community with a focus on wellbeing - Smaller class sizes enabling more individual attention - Full P-12 on one campus fosters continuity and progression - Broad range of extracurriculars (sports, clubs, arts) - Emphasis on practical, real-world learning and leadership - Cons - Rural location may mean longer travel times for some families - Subject and specialty options may be more limited than large city schools - Access to certain niche facilities or programs might be weather- or season-dependent - Transport logistics can be a consideration for day-to-day planning