Good Samaritan Catholic Primary School - Fairy Meadow

1. Overview (1–2 paragraphs max) Good Samaritan Catholic Primary School, Fairy Meadow, is a Catholic co-educational primary school serving families in Fairy Meadow and surrounding suburbs. The school provides a faith-based, values-driven education within the NSW Catholic education system, with a focus on holistic development, academic growth and community engagement. It aims to nurture compassionate, responsible young people who respect others and strive for excellence in all aspects of life. The atmosphere is welcoming and inclusive, with a nurturing culture that supports students academically, spiritually and socially. Class sizes are kept purposefully manageable to encourage personal attention, student participation and a sense of belonging within a faith-centered community. ⸻ 2. Academics & Learning • Academic strengths: Literacy and numeracy foundations are a core focus, with emphasis on critical thinking, comprehension, writing and mathematical reasoning. The school also prioritises STEM activities, English/language development and leadership opportunities for students. • Special programs: Religious education and sacramental preparation are integrated into the curriculum. The school supports gifted and talented learners and provides differentiated learning experiences. EAL/D support and Inclusion practices help diverse learners access the curriculum. • NAPLAN / trends: Historically, the school shows stable to improving trends in literacy and numeracy over recent years, with ongoing attention to targeted interventions where needed. • Student-teacher ratios: Class sizes are typically in the low-to-mid 20s, with teacher assistance and specialist support helping to maintain a favorable student–teacher ratio for guidance and feedback. • Support for diverse learners: A learning support team, EAL/D assistance and inclusive classroom practices help students with varying needs access the full curriculum. Individual learning plans and targeted interventions are available as appropriate. ⸻ 3. Sports & Extracurricular Strengths • Sports offered: Common primary offerings such as soccer, basketball, netball, cricket and athletics, with opportunities to participate in inter-school sport programs within the region. • Strong teams or achievements: The school participates in regional sport events and builds school pride through regular inter-school competitions and community involvement. • Music, arts, drama programs: Dedicated music and performing arts activities, choir or vocal groups and opportunities to engage in drama and performance. • Clubs: Robotics, coding, chess and debating clubs are available to extend student interests beyond the classroom. • Partnerships: Collaborations with local sports clubs and regional competitions provide additional pathways for skill development and healthy competition. ⸻ 4. Wellbeing & Pastoral Care • Anti-bullying approach: The school adopts a whole-school anti-bullying and positive behavior framework, emphasising respect, kindness and responsible conduct. • House system: A house system fosters positive competition, teamwork and school spirit through regular inter-house activities and celebrations. • Counsellors / wellbeing officers: A designated wellbeing team or school counsellor supports student mental health, resilience and social-emotional learning. • Transition support: Orientation programs, buddy systems and targeted support help new students settle into the school community smoothly. ⸻ 5. Facilities • Sports grounds: Access to on-site or nearby playing fields suitable for a range of physical activities. • Libraries: A well-equipped library supporting literacy and independent learning. • Science labs: Science facilities that enable hands-on investigations and inquiry-based learning. • Music/performing arts centers: Space for music, drama and performance activities. • Tech/innovation labs: Technology and digital learning spaces support coding, design and STEAM activities. • Cafeteria: On-site canteen or lunch facilities with a focus on healthy choices. • Updated playgrounds: Modern outdoor spaces designed for safe play and active recreation. ⸻ 6. School Values & Community Culture • School values / mission: A faith-informed mission centred on Christian values such as respect, compassion, service and integrity. • Leadership style: Collaborative and inclusive, with opportunities for student leadership and involvement in school initiatives and service projects. • Behaviour expectations: Clear expectations grounded in respect, responsibility and positive conduct, with consistent reinforcement and restorative practices where needed. • Community reputation: A supportive, faith-filled community with active parent involvement and strong relationships between families, staff and parish. • Diversity & inclusion: A welcoming environment for students and families from diverse backgrounds, with inclusive practices evident across the classroom and school life. ⸻ 7. School Logistics & Daily Operations • School hours: Regular school day with morning start and afternoon finish aligned to NSW public school patterns; includes assemblies and routines that support daily learning. • Before/after school care: Out-of-school-hours care (OSHC) or similar arrangements are typically available to families. • Uniform requirements: Standard formal school uniform with seasonal options (summer/winter uniforms) and a focus on neat, tidy appearance. • Transport (train/bus routes): Public transport access via local bus services and walking routes; family arrangements for drop-off/pick-up are common. • Canteen availability: Canteen or lunch program offering healthy meal options on select days. • Fees (low/medium/high ranges): Fees are generally in the moderate range for NSW Catholic primary schools, with additional costs for uniforms, excursions and activities as applicable. ⸻ 8. Enrolment & Admissions 11. What is the enrolment process and timeline? - Enquiries typically begin with an expression of interest or application through the school (and/or parish) website. Families may be invited to an information session or open day. Documentation (birth certificate, immunisation records, baptism/confirmation details where applicable, proof of address) is usually required. Offers for enrolment are made in a defined timeline, with spaces allocated based on availability and alignment with the school’s enrolment priorities. The timeline often runs from term 2 to term 4 for the following year. 12. Is there a waiting list, and how does it work? - Waiting lists are common when enrolment capacity is reached. Applications are placed on a waitlist with positions allocated according to established criteria (e.g., parish affiliation, sibling attendance, catchment considerations, order of receipt). Families are notified when space becomes available. 13. Are there any entry requirements, tests, or interviews? - Entry typically involves an interview or meeting with the principal or enrolments officer and may include a discussion about faith formation, family involvement and readiness for school. There are usually no formal academic entrance tests for primary-level enrolment; documentation and alignment with school expectations are the primary criteria. 14. Does the school accept mid-year transfers? - Yes, mid-year transfers are considered based on space availability and readiness to integrate into the current cohort. Prospective families should contact the enrolments team promptly to discuss options and timelines. ⸻ 9. Frequently Asked Questions • Why Parents Choose This School? - A values-based Catholic education, strong pastoral care, a supportive community, solid academic foundations and balanced development across faith, academics, sport and arts. • What type of student thrives at this school? - Students who are engaged, respectful, curious and motivated across academics, faith formation, sport and creative pursuits tend to thrive, with a readiness to contribute to the school community. • What opportunities are available for students to extend their skills (academics, sports, arts)? - Opportunities include targeted literacy and numeracy support and extension where appropriate, STEM and coding activities, music and drama programs, and participation in inter-school sport and regional competitions. • How does the school communicate with parents? - Regular newsletters, emails, parent portals or apps, and scheduled parent-teacher conferences. Information is shared about student progress, events and changes to routines. • What is the school’s approach to teaching and learning? - A student-centred approach that combines faith formation with evidence-based teaching, differentiated instruction, inquiry-based learning, and opportunities for collaboration and hands-on activities. • How does the school support students who need extra academic help? - A learning support team, targeted interventions, EAL/D assistance and individualized plans are available to support students with diverse needs. • What support is available for academic challenges? - Early identification, small-group instruction, tailored interventions and regular communication with families to monitor progress and adjust supports as needed. • How does the school communicate with parents? (repeated) - See above: regular updates through multiple channels, with opportunities for dialogue during conferences and at school events. • What are the class sizes and how much individual attention do students receive? - Class sizes are typically in the low-to-mid 20s, with teacher support and small-group work to ensure individual feedback and attention. • What extracurricular and sports opportunities are available? - A range of sports (soccer, basketball, netball, cricket, athletics), music and drama programs, and clubs such as robotics, coding, chess and debating. • What facilities does the school offer (sports, science, arts)? - Modern facilities include sports grounds, a library, science labs, a music/performing arts space, technology/innovation labs and a canteen, with updated outdoor play areas. • What is the school’s approach to technology and digital learning? - Integration of digital tools and resources to support learning, with appropriate supervision and opportunities for student-led inquiry in coding, design and digital literacy. • What transport and accessibility options are available? - Access via local bus routes and walking paths; provisions for students with mobility needs where applicable; convenient drop-off and pick-up arrangements. • What are the typical school fees or additional costs? - Fees are in the moderate range for NSW Catholic primary schools, with additional costs for uniforms, excursions, activities and optional programs. ⸻ 10. Short Pros & Cons list Pros - Strong pastoral care and faith-based community - Inclusive, values-driven culture - Solid literacy and numeracy foundations - Broad range of extracurriculars (sports, arts, clubs) - Support for diverse learners (EAL/D, SEN) Cons - Uniforms and additional costs for excursions can add to overall expense - Class sizes may be larger in higher intake years depending on enrolment - Transport options depend on local routes and availability ⸻