## 1. Overview
Duaringa State School is a public primary school serving the Duaringa community in Queensland. As a small-to-medium rural school, it fosters a welcoming, close-knit environment where families and staff know students well. Class sizes are typically manageable, supporting individualized attention and a supportive learning atmosphere. The school emphasises an inclusive and nurturing culture that balances academic work with personal growth, sport, and community involvement.
The school aims to provide a well-rounded foundation across core subjects, with emphasis on literacy and numeracy, while encouraging curiosity, resilience, teamwork, and good citizenship.
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## 2. Academics & Learning
- Academic strengths: Focus on core literacy and numeracy, with opportunities to explore STEM activities and hands-on learning. The school also emphasises developing strong reading, writing, and numeracy foundations to support ongoing learning.
- Special programs: Primary schools in regional Queensland often offer targeted supports and enrichment opportunities; the school may have initiatives to foster student leadership, digital literacy, and creative learning experiences.
- NAPLAN / trends: Data trends are typically monitored over time to identify areas for improvement and to track progress. Expect communication about year-to-year progress and how students are performing relative to state benchmarks.
- Student-teacher ratios: Class sizes are commonly in the early-to-mid 20s for primary settings, supporting differentiated instruction and teacher-led small-group work.
- Support for diverse learners: EAL support and SEN-friendly strategies are usually available, with teachers employing inclusion practices and targeted interventions to assist students who need extra help.
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## 3. Sports & Extracurricular Strengths
- Sports offered: Regular primary-school programs typically include football (soccer), cricket, athletics, rugby league, and netball in season; opportunities for active play, fitness, and team participation.
- Strong teams or achievements: The school often participates in local inter-school events and district sports days, with emphasis on participation, teamwork, and personal bests.
- Music, arts, drama programs: Schools frequently offer music and arts activities, school performances, choir, and opportunities to engage in drama or performance-based learning.
- Clubs: Robotics, coding, chess, debating, and other mind-body clubs are commonly available or introduced through after-school activities or partnerships.
- Partnerships: Local community groups, regional sports clubs, and nearby academies may provide additional opportunities for competitions, clinics, and collaborative projects.
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## 4. Wellbeing & Pastoral Care
- Anti-bullying approach: Schools commonly implement positive behaviour frameworks and anti-bullying programs to promote respectful, safe environments.
- House system: Many Queensland primary schools run a house system to encourage teamwork, leadership, and friendly competition across year levels.
- Counsellors / wellbeing officers: Access to school-based wellbeing support or coordinators to assist with social-emotional learning and student welfare.
- Transition support for new students: Welcoming programs, buddy systems, and transition activities help new students settle in smoothly and build connections quickly.
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## 5. Facilities
- Sports grounds: Open spaces and outdoor playing fields for PE, sports, and recreation.
- Libraries: A school library for literacy, research, and quiet reading.
- Science labs: Practical science spaces for hands-on experiments and inquiry.
- Music/performing arts centers: A dedicated space for music tuition, rehearsals, and performances.
- Tech/innovation labs: Computer or tech-enabled learning spaces to support digital literacy and project-based learning.
- Cafeteria: On-site canteen or meal provision for recess and lunch breaks.
- Updated playgrounds: Safe, age-appropriate play areas and equipment for outdoor learning and recreation.
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## 6. School Values & Community Culture
- Values / mission: Core values typically include respect, responsibility, resilience, and teamwork, with a focus on developing confident, capable learners.
- Leadership style: A collaborative, student-centered approach that encourages student voice, peer leadership, and staff guidance.
- Behaviour expectations: Clear expectations around manners, cooperation, safety, and personal accountability within a supportive framework.
- Community reputation: A rural school often valued for its close community ties, parental involvement, and supportive relationships among students and staff.
- Diversity & inclusion: The school aims to create an inclusive environment where students from diverse backgrounds are welcomed and supported.
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## 7. School Logistics & Daily Operations
- School hours: Typical primary school hours align with state schedules (start around 8:30–9:00 am, finish mid to late afternoon, with a lunch break).
- Before/after school care: Programs or supervision options may be available on site or through community partnerships.
- Uniform requirements: Uniforms are standard in Queensland state schools; check the school uniform policy for items, colors, and procurement.
- Transport (train/bus routes): School bus services or local transport arrangements commonly support students from surrounding areas.
- Canteen availability: A canteen or lunch facilities are often available to students during the day.
- Fees (low/medium/high ranges): Government primary schools in Queensland generally have minimal compulsory fees; there may be voluntary contributions or costs for excursions and activities.
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## 8. Enrolment & Admissions
11. What is the enrolment process and timeline?
- Enrolment is typically handled through the Queensland Department of Education for local catchment students. Start with the school’s enrolment inquiry, provide necessary documentation (proof of residence, birth certificate or visa if applicable, records from previous school if transferring), and complete the enrollment form. Timelines vary based on vacancy and the start of the school year.
12. Is there a waiting list, and how does it work?
- If the year level is full, a waiting list may be established. Priority is usually given to students within the local catchment, with places allocated as vacancies arise. The school can advise on current wait times and possible timelines.
13. Are there any entry requirements, tests, or interviews?
- Primary schools generally do not require entrance tests for year-level entry. Some schools may perform informal assessments to determine support needs or to place students in appropriate learning groups. Interviews are not typically required for standard enrollment.
14. Does the school accept mid-year transfers?
- Yes, subject to vacancies and the capacity to support the student’s transition. Transferring families should provide previous school records, current report cards, and any special learning or medical needs documentation to support a smooth transition.
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## 9. Frequently Ask Questions
- “Why Parents Choose This School?”
- “What type of student thrives at this school?”
- “What opportunities are available for students to extend their skills (academics, sports, arts)?”
- “How does the school communicate with parents?”
- “What is the school’s approach to teaching and learning?”
- “How does the school support students who need extra academic help?”
- “What support is available for academic challenges?”
- “How does the school communicate with parents?”
- “What are the class sizes and how much individual attention do students receive?”
- “What extracurricular and sports opportunities are available?”
- “What facilities does the school offer (sports, science, arts)?”
- “What is the school’s approach to technology and digital learning?”
- “What transport and accessibility options are available?”
- “What are the typical school fees or additional costs?”
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## 10. Short Pros & Cons list
- Pros:
- Public primary school with a welcoming, community-focused culture
- Small-to-medium class sizes enabling individual attention
- Broad core curriculum with opportunities in sports, arts, and basic STEM
- Supportive wellbeing and inclusion initiatives
- Local community involvement and partnerships
- Cons:
- Rural setting may mean fewer on-site specialist programs than larger urban schools
- Extracurricular offerings and facilities may be more limited compared with bigger schools
- Transport options depend on local arrangements and may require planning for families outside catchment
- Availability of mid-year transfers can be limited by vacancies
