Good Shepherd Catholic Primary School

# Overview Good Shepherd Catholic Primary School, Hoxton Park is a Catholic, co-educational primary school serving families in Hoxton Park and surrounding areas. The school emphasises faith-based, values-driven education within a caring, inclusive community. It is a mid-sized NSW Catholic primary, balancing strong academic expectations with pastoral care and opportunities for sport, arts, and service. Class sizes are typical for NSW Catholic primary schools, with many cohorts around 20–28 students. The atmosphere is generally nurturing and supportive, with a focus on building resilience, respect, and a sense of belonging for students and families. # Academics & Learning - Academic strengths: Focus on literacy and numeracy with a holistic approach to learning. Emphasis on embedding Catholic values across the curriculum, along with opportunities to develop critical thinking and collaboration. - Special programs: Possibility of Gifted & Talented options and targeted learning support; access to inclusive education practices to cater for diverse learners. - NAPLAN / trends: NSW primary schools typically show steady progress in literacy and numeracy; schools often report improvements over time through regular assessment cycles and targeted interventions. - Student-teacher ratios: Generally moderate, with small-group and targeted support available to students who need it. - Support for diverse learners: EAL/D support and SEN/staffed learning support are commonly provided to assist students from diverse backgrounds and with additional needs. # Sports & Extracurricular Strengths - Sports offered: Common primary programs include soccer, netball, cricket, basketball, athletics, and rugby-league in some years; flexible schedules allow for broad participation. - Strong teams or achievements: Schools frequently participate in local diocesan and inter-school events; emphasis on development, teamwork, and fair play. - Music, arts, drama programs: Regular opportunities for music, choir, school productions, and arts across the year. - Clubs: Robotics, coding, chess, debating, and other curriculum-linked clubs are typically available or offered as after-school programs. - Partnerships: Local community clubs and diocesan activities often provide pathways for competitions, fixtures, and enrichment experiences. # Wellbeing & Pastoral Care - Anti-bullying approach: Whole-school anti-bullying strategies with positive behaviour policies, restorative practices, and student wellbeing support. - House system: A house-based structure is used to foster community, leadership, and healthy competition during events and celebrations. - Counsellors / wellbeing officers: Access to wellbeing staff or school counsellors to support students’ social and emotional development. - Transition support for new students: Orientation activities, buddy systems, and gradual onboarding help new students settle in. # Facilities - Sports grounds: On-site playing fields or access to nearby ovals for physical education and sport. - Libraries: Well-stocked library supporting literacy across year groups. - Science labs: Dedicated spaces for science and practical experiments. - Music/performing arts centers: Music rooms and spaces for performances and drama activities. - Tech/innovation labs: Computer or STEM labs supporting digital learning and coding activities. - Cafeteria: Canteen facilities or arrangements for students to purchase meals and snacks. - Updated playgrounds: Safe, age-appropriate playground and outdoor learning spaces. # School Values & Community Culture - School values / mission: Values-based education grounded in Catholic tradition, emphasising respect, responsibility, compassion, and service. - Leadership style: Collaborative leadership that encourages student voice, staff teamwork, and parental involvement. - Behaviour expectations: Clear codes of conduct and behavioural expectations designed to foster a safe and respectful learning environment. - Community reputation: Known for a welcoming, faith-centered community with supportive relationships among students, families, and staff. - Diversity & inclusion: Focus on inclusion, equity, and support for students from diverse backgrounds, including pathways for EAL learners. # School Logistics & Daily Operations - School hours: Typical NSW primary school day aligned with local calendars; start and finish times outlined by the school each year. - Before/after school care: Available options for before and after care or supervised activities on campus or nearby facilities. - Uniform requirements: Formal school uniform with additional sports uniform for PE/activities; clear uniform guidelines. - Transport: Access to local bus routes and public transport; parking and drop-off arrangements typically published by the school. - Canteen availability: Canteen or canteen services available for meals and snacks. - Fees: Catholic primary schools usually have a range from low to mid; exact fees and additional costs vary by year and program and should be confirmed with the school. # Enrolment & Admissions 11. What is the enrolment process and timeline? - Submit an application through the school’s enrolment process, with required documents (e.g., birth certificates, baptism documents if applicable, family details). Timelines vary by year and intake; start early to secure a place, and follow the school’s published intake periods. 12. Is there a waiting list, and how does it work? - Yes, depending on capacity. Places may be offered from the waiting list as they become available. Priority may be given to Catholic families or parish-based applicants, with other places offered if vacancies exist. 13. Are there any entry requirements, tests, or interviews? - Typically no formal entrance tests for primary years, but many schools conduct a brief interview or family meeting to understand the child’s needs, interests, and fit with the school culture. Requires submission of relevant documentation and references. 14. Does the school accept mid-year transfers? - Yes, subject to vacancy availability and alignment with the school’s enrolment policies. Mid-year transfer arrangements are considered on a case-by-case basis. # Frequently Asked Questions - Why Parents Choose This School? - A values-based Catholic environment with a supportive, inclusive community and a focus on holistic development (academic, faith, well-being, and service). - What type of student thrives at this school? - Students who respond well to a faith-based, inclusive learning culture, who engage in a balanced program of academics, sport, arts, and community service. - What opportunities are available for students to extend their skills (academics, sports, arts)? - Enrichment programs in literacy and numeracy, access to clubs (coding, robotics, chess, debating), music and arts initiatives, and wide sports participation. - How does the school communicate with parents? - Through newsletters, email updates, parent portals or apps, parent-teacher meetings, and annual reports. Regular updates on events, learning progress, and wellbeing goals are common. - What is the school’s approach to teaching and learning? - Student-centered, differentiated instruction that integrates Catholic values, with emphasis on literacy and numeracy, critical thinking, collaboration, and the use of technology to support learning. - How does the school support students who need extra academic help? - Targeted support via learning intervention programs, small-group instruction, EAL/D support, and access to SEN professionals where available. - What support is available for academic challenges? - Early identification of learning needs, progress monitoring, and tailored intervention strategies to help students catch up and remain engaged. - How does the school communicate with parents? - See above: regular updates, meetings, and accessible channels for ongoing dialogue about student learning and wellbeing. - What are the class sizes and how much individual attention do students receive? - Class sizes are typically in the low-to-mid 20s, with teachers able to provide differentiated instruction and occasional targeted small-group support to students needing extra attention. - What extracurricular and sports opportunities are available? - A range of sports (e.g., soccer, netball, cricket, basketball, athletics), plus clubs in robotics, coding, chess, debating, and music/arts programs. - What facilities does the school offer (sports, science, arts)? - Sports grounds, a library, science labs, music/performing arts spaces, technology/STEM labs, a canteen, and updated playgrounds. - What is the school’s approach to technology and digital learning? - Integration of ICT and digital learning across the curriculum, with a focus on digital citizenship and safe, responsible use of technology. - What transport and accessibility options are available? - Access to local transport options (bus/train routes where applicable) and standard school accessibility measures; details typically published by the school. - What are typical school fees or additional costs? - Fees vary by year and program; generally in the low-to-mid range for NSW Catholic primary schools. Check the current schedule with the school for precise amounts. # Short Pros & Cons list - Pros - Values-based Catholic education with a supportive, inclusive culture - Holistic development across academics, wellbeing, sport, and arts - Moderate class sizes and targeted student support - Range of clubs and extracurriculars, including STEM and arts - Strong emphasis on community, respect, and service - Cons - Fees can be a consideration for some families (as with most non-government schools) - Availability may depend on catchment and parish intake; some years may have waitlists - Mid-year transfers subject to vacancy and alignment with enrolment policies If you’d like, I can tailor this further with any specific details you have from the school (current class sizes, exact facilities, or enrolment timelines) or format it differently for your site.