Emmaus Catholic School

## 1. Overview Emmaus Catholic School Woodcroft is a Catholic, co-educational school serving families in the western Adelaide suburbs. The school aims to provide a faith-filled, values-based education that supports both academic growth and personal development within a caring community. As a medium-sized school, it offers a close-knit sense of belonging while giving students access to a broad range of subjects and activities. Class sizes are designed to balance individualized attention with collaborative learning, contributing to a nurturing and inclusive atmosphere. The culture at Emmaus reflects Catholic values, a focus on community, and a commitment to student wellbeing. Families can expect a supportive environment that emphasises respect, service, and the development of well-rounded young people. --- ## 2. Academics & Learning - Academic strengths: literacy and numeracy foundations, STEM activities, and a faith-informed approach to learning. The school also supports leadership development and digital literacy as part of a holistic education. - Special programs: opportunities for religious education within a Catholic framework, plus targeted literacy and numeracy support, enrichment for motivated students, and pathways to foster leadership and digital skills. - NAPLAN / trends: Publicly available standardized-trend data for individual Catholic schools in SA is not routinely published. For trend information, check the school's annual report or contact the school directly. - Student-teacher ratios: Official ratios are not typically published publicly; the school aims for small-to-medium class sizes to support individualized attention and effective learning. - Support for diverse learners: programs and supports for EAL (English as an Additional Language) learners and SEN (special educational needs), with differentiated instruction and targeted student supports to promote inclusive learning. --- ## 3. Sports & Extracurricular Strengths - Sports offered: a range of team and individual sports appropriate to the year levels, with opportunities for participation in inter-school and regional events. - Strong teams or achievements: school participation in local competitions and events; success varies by year and cohort. - Music, arts, drama programs: active music and performing arts programs, with opportunities to participate in choir, instrumental ensembles, theatre productions, and related arts activities. - Clubs: robotics, chess, coding, debating, and other clubs may be available to extend learning beyond the classroom. - Partnerships: involvement with local community activities and competitions, with opportunities to connect with external clubs and programs through school partnerships. --- ## 4. Wellbeing & Pastoral Care - Anti-bullying approach: formal anti-bullying policies and clear procedures for reporting and supporting students; emphasis on a safe, respectful school culture. - House system: a house-based structure to foster belonging, teamwork, and healthy competition across key events and activities. - Counsellors / wellbeing officers: access to wellbeing staff or counsellors to support students’ social, emotional, and mental health needs. - Transition support for new students: orientation programs, buddy systems, and transitional activities to help students settle into the school community. --- ## 5. Facilities - Sports grounds: dedicated spaces for physical education and outdoor activities. - Libraries: on-site library facilities that support reading, research, and learning programs. - Science labs: practical science spaces to support hands-on experimentation and inquiry. - Music/performing arts centers: spaces for music practice, rehearsals, and performances. - Tech/innovation labs: learning spaces that support technology, coding, and digital projects. - Cafeteria: on-site canteen or catering facilities supporting student meals and breaks. - Updated playgrounds: modern and safe playground areas for various year levels. --- ## 6. School Values & Community Culture - School values / mission: a Catholic, faith-centered mission with emphasis on service, respect, integrity, and care for others. - Leadership style: collaborative and student-centered, with opportunities for student leadership and involvement in school life. - Behaviour expectations: a positive behaviour framework that promotes respect, responsibility, and collegial conduct. - Community reputation: a supportive, faith-based community that partners with families and parish life to foster a sense of belonging. - Diversity & inclusion: commitment to an inclusive environment that welcomes students from diverse backgrounds and needs. --- ## 7. School Logistics & Daily Operations - School hours: typical school days start in the morning and finish in the afternoon, with times that may vary by year level. - Before/after school care: community- or school-operated programs (OSHC) may be available to provide care outside standard school hours. - Uniform requirements: a school uniform is required, with details provided by the school (and any approved sports uniforms). - Transport (train/bus routes): access to local public transport and school-arranged or recommended bus routes; information on routes and drop-off/pick-up is available from the school. - Canteen availability: a canteen or dining facilities are available to students during the day. - Fees (low/medium/high ranges): ongoing costs exist (fees and levies) typical for the sector; families are encouraged to check the latest fee schedule for precise amounts. --- ## 8. Enrolment & Admissions 11. What is the enrolment process and timeline? - Applications are submitted to begin the enrolment process, followed by required documentation, assessment if applicable, and an enrolment decision within the school’s timelines. There may be a processing window for offers and confirmations, with orientation or transition activities planned for new families. 12. Is there a waiting list, and how does it work? - If enrolment spaces are limited, a waiting list may be used. Priorities often include siblings of current students and available space, with a defined process for moving candidates from the waitlist when space becomes available. 13. Are there any entry requirements, tests, or interviews? - Entry requirements typically include standard documentation, and some schools may conduct interviews or informal assessments as part of the process. Details are provided by the school during the application stage. 14. Does the school accept mid-year transfers? - Mid-year transfers are possible subject to space and meeting enrolment criteria. Families may need to provide student records and complete transfer arrangements with the current school. --- ## 9. Frequently Asked Questions - Why Parents Choose This School? - A values-based Catholic education that emphasises community, care, and character development alongside academics. - What type of student thrives at this school? - Students who are engaged, respectful, and motivated; those who value a supportive, faith-informed learning environment. - What opportunities are available for students to extend their skills (academics, sports, arts)? - A range of academic programs, sports, music and performing arts, and clubs such as robotics, coding, chess, and debating; leadership and service opportunities are often available. - How does the school communicate with parents? - Through newsletters, emails, parent portals, and formal meetings (e.g., interviews and annual reports). - What is the school’s approach to teaching and learning? - A student-centered, differentiated approach that integrates faith-based education with inquiry, collaboration, and digital learning. - How does the school support students who need extra academic help? - Targeted literacy/numeracy support, learning support staff, EAL and SEN services, and personalized interventions. - What support is available for academic challenges? - Early identification, targeted tutoring, and collaboration between teachers, specialists, and families. - How does the school communicate with parents? (repeated) - See above: newsletters, portals, emails, and meetings. - What are the class sizes and how much individual attention do students receive? - Class sizes are designed to be small-to-medium, enabling more individual attention and classroom support. - What extracurricular and sports opportunities are available? - A broad range of sports plus clubs such as robotics, chess, coding, and debating; music and drama programs. - What facilities does the school offer (sports, science, arts)? - Sports grounds, library, science labs, music/performing arts spaces, tech/innovation labs, canteen, and updated playgrounds. - What is the school’s approach to technology and digital learning? - Integrated use of technology in learning, with emphasis on digital literacy and responsible use of devices. - What transport and accessibility options are available? - Local transport options and school-arranged routes; information about accessibility and parking is available on request. - What are typical school fees or additional costs? - Fees and additional costs exist; families should refer to the current fee schedule for precise amounts. --- ## 10. Short Pros & Cons list - Pros - Values-based Catholic education with a supportive, caring community - Inclusive environment with attention to wellbeing and pastoral care - Range of academic and extracurricular programs (STEM, arts, clubs) - Facilities that support learning across sciences, arts, and technology - Opportunities for leadership, service, and community involvement - Cons - Enrolment availability can be limited in some years; there may be a waiting list - Ongoing costs (fees/levies) are part of school life, as with many independent or Catholic schools - Access to specialist programs may vary by year level and cohort - Transport options depend on location and route availability If you’d like, I can tailor this draft further with more precise data from the school’s official materials or help format it for your site’s CMS.