1. Overview
Freshwater State School is a public, co-educational primary school that fosters a welcoming and inclusive community. The school prioritises strong literacy and numeracy foundations while providing opportunities across STEM, arts, and sport to develop well-rounded students.
With a medium-sized student body, class sizes typically sit in the low- to mid-20s, allowing teachers to give more individual attention and create a collaborative learning environment. The atmosphere is nurturing and student-centred, emphasising respect, resilience, and teamwork within a supportive school culture.
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2. Academics & Learning
- Academic strengths: strong literacy and numeracy programs, emphasis on STEM fundamentals, leadership opportunities, and exposure to languages where offered.
- Special programs: gifted and talented pathways, opportunities for accelerated learning within the curriculum, and targeted support to meet individual student needs.
- NAPLAN trends: consistent progress over recent years, with results trending around or above state averages in key learning areas.
- Student-teacher ratios: typically around 1:18–1:25, enabling more personalised feedback and guidance.
- Support for diverse learners: dedicated support for EAL/D students and students with special educational needs, with inclusive practices and individual learning plans.
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3. Sports & Extracurricular Strengths
- Sports offered: a range of inter-school activities such as athletics, cricket, soccer, netball, swimming, and other local fixtures; participation in district and school carnivals.
- Strong teams or achievements: active involvement in inter-school competitions and yearly carnivals, fostering teamwork and school spirit.
- Music, arts, drama programs: school ensembles or choirs, opportunities for performance in assemblies and events.
- Clubs: robotics, coding, chess, debating, and other STEM or discussion-based groups available to students.
- Partnerships: connections with local clubs and community organisations to support sport, coding, robotics, and other interests; opportunities to compete or showcase talents in regional events.
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4. Wellbeing & Pastoral Care
- Anti-bullying approach: whole-school programs and clear anti-bullying policies with regular curriculum integration and student-led initiatives.
- House system: house-based activities and competitions to promote belonging and healthy rivalry.
- Counsellors / wellbeing officers: access to school guidance and wellbeing staff to support students’ emotional and social needs.
- Transition support for new students: orientation sessions, buddy systems, and targeted supports to help students settle in smoothly.
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5. Facilities
- Sports grounds: on-site spaces for physical education and games.
- Libraries: dedicated library to support reading, research, and quiet study.
- Science labs: practical spaces for hands-on experiments and exploration.
- Music/performing arts centers: facilities for music education and performances.
- Tech/innovation labs: makerspaces or computing areas to support coding and creative projects.
- Cafeteria: on-site dining options or canteen services for students.
- Updated playgrounds: modern outdoor play areas designed for safe, active breaks.
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6. School Values & Community Culture
- School values / mission: emphasis on respect, responsibility, resilience, and inclusion as cornerstones of daily learning.
- Leadership style: student voice and leadership opportunities supported by staff; collaborative decision-making in class and school activities.
- Behaviour expectations: clear codes of conduct with consistent expectations across year levels.
- Community reputation: known for a friendly, family-inspired environment with strong family involvement and support.
- Diversity & inclusion: commitments to welcoming families from diverse backgrounds and ensuring accessible learning for all.
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7. School Logistics & Daily Operations
- School hours: typical daytime schedule aligned with the state calendar (start mid-morning to mid-afternoon, with variations by year level).
- Before/after school care: available through external providers or school-approved programs; specifics vary by year and term.
- Uniform requirements: standard school uniform with clear guidelines for everyday wear and sports apparel.
- Transport: local bus routes and walking/cycling options; accessibility and drop-off points coordinated with local transport services.
- Canteen availability: on-site canteen or packet snack options during the day.
- Fees: low to moderate implied by typical public primary schools; additional costs may relate to camps, excursions, and extracurricular activities.
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8. Enrolment & Admissions
11. What is the enrolment process and timeline?
- Enrolment is typically initiated through the school’s central enrolment process in line with state requirements. Parents submit an application with required documents and wait times can vary based on space and year level.
12. Is there a waiting list, and how does it work?
- Some year levels or out-of-area requests may have a waiting list. The school will advise on current demand, prioritisation (often catchment-based), and expected wait times if applicable.
13. Are there any entry requirements, tests, or interviews?
- For most primary enrollments, there are no entrance exams. Some programs or special circumstances may involve brief interviews or information sessions, but routine places do not require standard testing.
14. Does the school accept mid-year transfers?
- Mid-year transfers are considered where space allows. Parents should contact the school early to discuss suitability and available vacancies.
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9. Frequently Asked Questions
- Why Parents Choose This School?
- A public, community-focused environment with strong literacy and numeracy foundations, supportive staff, and opportunities across STEM, arts, and sport.
- What type of student thrives at this school?
- Students who are curious, collaborative, and engaged in a range of learning activities; those who value a caring, inclusive community.
- What opportunities are available for students to extend their skills (academics, sports, arts)?
- Access to gifted and talented pathways, accelerated learning options within the curriculum, diverse clubs (robotics, coding, chess, debating), and broad sports and performing arts programs.
- How does the school communicate with parents?
- Through newsletters, emails, school apps, parent-teacher meetings, and regular updates on student progress and events.
- What is the school’s approach to teaching and learning?
- Student-centred, evidence-based methods with differentiated instruction to meet diverse needs and provide meaningful learning experiences.
- How does the school support students who need extra academic help?
- Small-group support, targeted interventions, EAL/D and SEN services, and learning plans tailored to individual needs.
- What support is available for academic challenges?
- Additional tutoring or support programs, access to specialised staff, and ongoing progress monitoring.
- How does the school communicate with parents?
- See above: multiple channels including digital platforms and scheduled meetings.
- What are the class sizes and how much individual attention do students receive?
- Class sizes are typically in the low- to mid-20s, with regular teacher feedback and opportunities for one-on-one or small-group instruction.
- What extracurricular and sports opportunities are available?
- A range of sports, music, arts, and clubs such as robotics, coding, chess, debating, and participation in inter-school events.
- What facilities does the school offer (sports, science, arts)?
- Sports grounds, libraries, science labs, music/performing arts spaces, tech/innovation labs, canteen, and well-equipped playgrounds.
- What is the school’s approach to technology and digital learning?
- Integration of ICT across learning, coding and digital literacy opportunities, and age-appropriate use of devices to support learning and collaboration.
- What transport and accessibility options are available?
- Local bus routes and walking/cycling options; provision for accessibility and safe drop-off/pick-up arrangements.
- What are the typical school fees or additional costs?
- Core education is funded by the state; additional costs may include excursions, camp/activities, uniforms, and some voluntary contributions or P&C activities.
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10. Short Pros & Cons list
- Pros
- Public, community-focused environment with strong literacy and numeracy foundations.
- Supportive staff, inclusive culture, and opportunities across STEM, arts, and sport.
- Moderate class sizes enabling individualized attention and collaboration.
- Wellbeing and pastoral care with house-based activities and guidance support.
- Facilities include modern libraries, science labs, and dedicated arts/tech spaces.
- Cons
- As a mid-sized public school, demand can vary by year level, potentially affecting wait times for some programs.
- Extracurricular offerings may depend on current staffing and partnerships; some programs may rotate seasonally.
- Uniforms and certain activities incur additional costs; families may wish to plan for these extras.
- Transport options rely on local routes and geographic catchment; accessibility needs should be discussed with the school.
