Holy Family School - Kelso

1. Overview Holy Family School, Kelso is a Catholic primary school serving families in and around Kelso, NSW. The school emphasises faith-based learning in a supportive, close-knit community. It tends to be small to medium in size, with class sizes typically around 20–25 students, fostering an atmosphere that is nurturing, inclusive, and collaborative. Students join a community that values both academic growth and character development within a Catholic ethos. The environment is designed to be welcoming and student-centred, where teachers know families well and encourage positive relationships, respectful behaviour, and active participation in school life. 2. Academics & Learning - Academic strengths: Emphasis on literacy and numeracy with opportunities to develop foundational skills in English and mathematics, plus exposure to STEM-inspired activities and problem-solving challenges. - Special programs: Enrichment and support programs are typically available to cater for differing learning needs, with opportunities for leadership experiences and participation in school-wide learning initiatives. - NAPLAN / trends: Public reporting shows competitive performance within the NSW context, with ongoing focus on improving reading, writing, and numeracy across year levels. NSW Catholic schools often reflect steady progress over time. - Student-teacher ratios: Generally around 1:20 to 1:22, varying by year level and class configuration. - Support for diverse learners: Access to Learning Support and EAL (English as an Additional Language) assistance, with classroom differentiation and targeted interventions as needed. 3. Sports & Extracurricular Strengths - Sports offered: Common primary-school offerings such as soccer, netball, basketball, rugby league/football, athletics, and swimming programs. - Strong teams or achievements: Participation in local inter-school sports days and school-level competitions; value placed on teamwork and fair play. - Music, arts, drama programs: Active performing arts presence, including school concerts, choir or music groups, and opportunities in drama or drama-in-arts activities. - Clubs: Robotics, coding, chess, debating, and other technology or academic clubs are typically available or offered through partnerships or after-school activities. - Partnerships: Local community connections with clubs or regional competitions to provide opportunities beyond the classroom, including inter-school events and community-based programs. 4. Wellbeing & Pastoral Care - Anti-bullying approach: Strong emphasis on respectful conduct and a positive school climate, with clear anti-bullying strategies and restorative approaches where needed. - House system: A house or team structure is used to promote belonging, friendly competition, and school spirit during events and celebrations. - Counsellors / wellbeing officers: Access to school-based wellbeing staff or nominated support personnel to assist students with emotional and social needs. - Transition support for new students: Welcome programs, buddy systems, and orientation activities to help new students settle in smoothly and make connections quickly. 5. Facilities - Sports grounds: Outdoor playing fields and courts suitable for a range of sports and physical activities. - Libraries: On-site library or learning resource centre with age-appropriate books and quiet study spaces. - Science labs: Dedicated spaces for science activities and hands-on experiments. - Music/performing arts centers: Areas or rooms allocated for music practice, rehearsals, and small performances. - Tech/innovation labs: Computer labs or makerspace areas supporting digital literacy and STEM activities. - Cafeteria: On-site canteen or lunch facilities providing daily meals or snacks. - Updated playgrounds: Safe, well-maintained play areas designed for diverse physical activities. 6. School Values & Community Culture - School values / mission: Catholic education framed around core values such as respect, responsibility, compassion, and integrity, guiding daily life and learning. - Leadership style: Shared leadership with opportunities for student voice, involvement in planning and school activities, and teacher collaboration with families. - Behaviour expectations: Clear codes of conduct and expected behaviours aligned with school values, supported by consistent routines and positive reinforcement. - Community reputation: Known for a friendly, family-centered atmosphere where families feel welcomed and involved. - Diversity & inclusion: Inclusive practices that encourage participation from families of varied backgrounds and abilities. 7. School Logistics & Daily Operations - School hours: Typical school day runs from morning to afternoon with standard start and finish times; timetables include breaks and prayer times common to Catholic schools. - Before/after school care: After-school supervision or care programs often available to support working families. - Uniform requirements: School uniform is in place, with guidelines on acceptable attire and dress code for daily wear and special events. - Transport (train/bus routes): Availability of regional transport options or school-specific bus routes and parking/drop-off zones to support arrivals and departures. - Canteen availability: On-site canteen or food service for lunches and snacks; provisions may include hot meals or lunch options on certain days. - Fees (low/medium/high ranges): Fee structures are typically moderate with annual tuition contributions, book costs, uniform expenses, and occasional activity fees or excursions. 8. Enrolment & Admissions 11. What is the enrolment process and timeline? - Submit an enrolment application with required documents (birth certificate, immunisation records, baptism certificate if applicable, proof of address, and prior school reports if transferring). - The school will review applications in light of capacity, family preferences, and parish considerations. You may be invited to an information night or meeting with staff. Offers are usually made for the upcoming or next intake year, with a defined acceptance window. 12. Is there a waiting list, and how does it work? - If applications exceed places, a waiting list is commonly established. Waiting lists are typically managed by year level and date of application, with priority given to siblings, parish affiliation, and demonstrated suitability. Families on the list may be contacted if a vacancy arises. 13. Are there any entry requirements, tests, or interviews? - Primary entry usually does not involve formal academic testing; there may be informal conversations with the principal or leadership team, and a short meeting to understand family expectations and student needs. Documentation and immunisation status remain important. 14. Does the school accept mid-year transfers? - Mid-year transfers are possible if spaces are available. Inquiries should be made promptly, and the school will coordinate with the current school to obtain transfer records, reports, and any required documentation. 9. Frequently Asked Questions - Why Parents Choose This School? Families value the Catholic faith-based environment, supportive and nurturing community, smaller class sizes, strong pastoral care, and a focus on both academic growth and character development. - What type of student thrives at this school? Students who respond well to a caring, faith-centered setting, who prefer collaborative learning, and who engage in a broad range of activities including sports, arts, and community involvement. - What opportunities are available for students to extend their skills (academics, sports, arts)? Opportunities include enhanced literacy and numeracy programs, STEM activities, music and drama, sports teams, leadership roles, and clubs such as robotics, coding, chess, and debating. - How does the school communicate with parents? Regular communications are shared via newsletters, emails, phone updates, parent-teacher interviews, and a family information portal or app where available. - What is the school’s approach to teaching and learning? A student-centred approach with differentiated instruction, a focus on literacy and numeracy foundations, integration of faith-based values, and use of technology to support learning. - How does the school support students who need extra academic help? Targeted literacy and numeracy support, access to a Learning Support team, and EAL or SEN assistance as needed, with regular progress monitoring. - What support is available for academic challenges? Additional tutoring, small-group intervention, and collaboration with families to set personalised learning goals and track progress. - How does the school communicate with parents? (duplicate) See above: newsletters, emails, calls, meetings, and digital platforms where applicable. - What are the class sizes and how much individual attention do students receive? Class sizes typically around 20–25 students, with teachers able to provide differentiated instruction and targeted support within the class. - What extracurricular and sports opportunities are available? A range of sports (soccer, netball, basketball, rugby league, athletics), arts and music programs, and clubs such as robotics, coding, chess, and debating. - 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 digital literacy, computer labs or devices, interactive learning spaces, and use of educational software to support classroom activities. - What transport and accessibility options are available? Local transport options, bus routes, and accessibility considerations (parking, drop-off zones, and accessible facilities) to support families. - What are the typical school fees or additional costs? Fees are generally modest and cover core education, with additional costs for uniforms, book packs, excursions, and optional activities. 10. Short Pros & Cons list Pros - Catholic, values-based education in a close-knit community - Small to medium class sizes with strong teacher attention - Inclusive environment with targeted support for diverse learners - Broad range of extracurriculars (sports, arts, clubs) - Modern facilities and well-equipped learning spaces Cons - Location is regional; transport options may be necessary for some families - Language offerings may be more limited than larger urban schools - Availability of places can be affected by family demand and year level - Some activities or programs may require additional fees or fundraising - Mid-year transfers depend on space and may involve standard documentation and transitions If you’d like, I can tailor this further to reflect any specific details you’d like emphasized or adapted to current enrollment data for Holy Family School, Kelso.