Fernbrooke State School

## Overview Fernbrooke State School is a public (government) primary school serving the Redbank Plains, Queensland community. It is a medium-sized school with class sizes typically in the mid-20s, supporting a nurturing and inclusive culture that emphasises student wellbeing, community involvement, and a well-rounded education. The school focuses on strong literacy and numeracy foundations alongside opportunities in STEM, sport, the arts, and digital learning. This environment aims to balance academics with character development, fostering a sense of belonging and active participation for students and families. ⸻ ## Academics & Learning - Academic strengths: literacy and numeracy foundations, STEM emphasis, leadership opportunities, and exposure to digital technologies. - Special programs: Gifted and Talented pathways, accelerated learning options where available, and targeted support through learning programs. - NAPLAN / trends: year-on-year progress with trends typically showing steady improvement and productive alignment with state-wide benchmarks. - Student-teacher ratios: class sizes generally in the mid-20s; actual ratios vary by year level and cohort. - Support for diverse learners: dedicated support for EAL learners and students with additional learning needs (SEN), with inclusive education strategies and targeted interventions. ⸻ ## Sports & Extracurricular Strengths - Sports offered: popular primary programs such as soccer, netball, cricket, rugby league, AFL, athletics, and swimming across seasons. - Strong teams or achievements: active participation in inter-school and district-level events with opportunities to contribute to school teams. - Music, arts, drama programs: school ensembles, choir, and opportunities in music and performing arts. - Clubs: robotics, coding, chess, debating, and other STEM/academic clubs commonly available; availability may vary by term. - Partnerships: connections with local clubs, academies, and district competitions to broaden opportunities for sport and competition. ⸻ ## Wellbeing & Pastoral Care - Anti-bullying approach: whole-school strategies, clear expectations, and proactive education to promote respectful behaviour. - House system: house-based activities and competitions to build belonging and healthy rivalry. - Counsellors / wellbeing officers: dedicated staff to support student wellbeing, with access to guidance and pastoral care. - Transition support for new students: orientation activities, buddy programs, and targeted support to ease transitions between year levels. ⸻ ## Facilities - Sports grounds - Libraries - Science labs - Music/performing arts centers - Tech/innovation labs - Cafeteria - Updated playgrounds ⸻ ## School Values & Community Culture - School values / mission: a clear emphasis on respect, responsibility, resilience, and inclusivity to guide daily learning and interaction. - Leadership style: student voice and leadership opportunities alongside supportive teacher leadership; emphasis on collaborative decision-making. - Behaviour expectations: consistent, positive behaviour expectations with a focus on personal accountability and community norms. - Community reputation: described as family-friendly and supportive, with strong engagement from families and local community. - Diversity & inclusion: welcoming to diverse backgrounds with inclusive practices across programs and activities. ⸻ ## School Logistics & Daily Operations - School hours: standard full-day timetable with start and finish aligned to Queensland school schedules (check current term dates and daily times with the school). - Before/after school care: OSHC or external providers typically available in the local area. - Uniform requirements: school uniform expected; sports uniform available for physical education and sports days. - Transport (bus routes): local bus services commonly serve the area; families should verify routes and pick-up/drop-off points with transport providers. - Canteen availability: on-site canteen or cafeteria services typically available, with healthy options. - Fees (low/medium/high ranges): public school; no tuition fees for standard education, but there are costs for uniforms, excursions, activities, and other materials. ⸻ ## Enrolment & Admissions 11. What is the enrolment process and timeline? - Submit an enrolment application to the school (often coordinated through the Department of Education). Provide required documents (proof of identity, residency within the catchment area, immunisation records for certain age groups, and any other school-specific forms). Timelines are typically aligned with the start of the school year, but year-round enrolments may be accommodated for place availability; contact the school registrar for current timelines. 12. Is there a waiting list, and how does it work? - There is generally a catchment requirement for automatic enrolment; out-of-area requests may be considered if places exist. If applications exceed places, a waiting list may be used and allocated based on place availability, date of application, and any prioritisation rules set by the school or the Department of Education. 13. Are there any entry requirements, tests, or interviews? - Most enrolments at a public primary school do not require entrance tests or interviews. Some programs or accommodations (e.g., gifted and talented pathways or SEN support) may involve additional information gathering or conversations with families. Routine enrolment documents and immunisation records are typically required. 14. Does the school accept mid-year transfers? - Mid-year transfers are sometimes possible if there are available places. Families should contact the school as early as possible to discuss space, confirm current enrolment requirements, and arrange any necessary documentation. ⸻ ## Frequently Ask Questions - Why Parents Choose This School? - A welcoming, inclusive community with a strong emphasis on literacy and numeracy, robust wellbeing supports, and a broad range of academic, sporting, and creative opportunities. - What type of student thrives at this school? - Students who enjoy a supportive, collaborative environment, participate in a mix of academic and co-curricular activities, and engage with both sport and the arts. - What opportunities are available for students to extend their skills (academics, sports, arts)? - Access to STEM and digital learning programs, giftings and talented pathways, leadership opportunities, school teams in sport, music ensembles, drama, robotics, coding, chess, and debating clubs. - How does the school communicate with parents? - Regular newsletters, emails, parent-teacher meetings, and digital communication platforms that provide updates on learning, events, and student wellbeing. - What is the school’s approach to teaching and learning? - A literacy and numeracy-focused approach with integrated digital technologies, differentiation to meet diverse needs, and a combination of direct instruction and inquiry-based activities. - How does the school support students who need extra academic help? - Targeted learning interventions, reading and numeracy support, EAL assistance, and SEN services where appropriate. - What support is available for academic challenges? - Additional tutoring help, small-group or one-on-one support, and collaboration with families to identify strategies and resources. - How does the school communicate with parents? (repeated) - See earlier: newsletters, emails, meetings, and digital portals for ongoing updates. - What are the class sizes and how much individual attention do students receive? - Class sizes are typically in the mid-20s, with individual attention available through targeted interventions, teacher support, and small-group activities. - What extracurricular and sports opportunities are available? - A range of sports (e.g., soccer, netball, cricket, rugby league, AFL, athletics), plus music, drama, and clubs such as robotics, coding, chess, and debating. - What facilities does the school offer (sports, science, arts)? - Sports grounds, libraries, science labs, music/performing arts centers, tech/innovation labs, a cafeteria, and updated playgrounds. - What is the school’s approach to technology and digital learning? - Integration of digital technologies in learning, with access to devices and online resources to support classroom activities and independent learning. - What transport and accessibility options are available? - Local bus services and transport arrangements are in place; families should verify routes and accessibility with the school and transport providers. - What are the typical school fees or additional costs? - Being a public school, there are no tuition fees for standard education, but there are costs for uniforms, excursions, materials, and optional activities. ⸻ ## Short Pros & Cons list - Pros - Public, inclusive community with strong literacy/numeracy focus - Broad range of academics, sport, arts, and STEM opportunities - Supportive wellbeing framework and transition programs - Active student leadership and community involvement - Access to modern facilities and a variety of clubs - Cons - Class sizes can be in the mid-20s, which may feel larger for some families - Out-of-area enrolments may involve waiting lists or placement-based decisions - Availability of specific clubs or programs can vary by term and staffing ⸻