## 1. Overview
Living School is a public, co-educational NSW government school serving families in Lismore. The school focuses on inclusive education, strong community partnerships, and a balanced approach to academics, arts, and sport. With a medium-sized student body, it fosters a nurturing, supportive environment where students are encouraged to do their best and feel included.
Class sizes are typically around 22–25 students, supporting differentiated teaching and individual attention. The atmosphere is family-minded and focused on well-being, academic growth, and opportunities for students to explore their interests within a collaborative, respectful culture.
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## 2. Academics & Learning
- Academic strengths: English, Mathematics, Science, STEM, and Languages (with emphasis on literacy and numeracy foundations; opportunities to explore diverse learning areas).
- Special programs: Gifted & Talented pathways, accelerated learning options where available, and targeted support programs to assist diverse learners.
- NAPLAN trends: Over recent years, trends indicate steady improvement in Reading and Writing, with Mathematics maintaining strong performance and gradual growth across cohorts.
- Student-teacher ratios: Approximately 1:22–1:25, with class sizes varying by year level.
- Support for diverse learners: EAL (English as an Additional Language) support, SEN (Special Educational Needs) support, inclusive practices, IEPs (Individual Education Plans), and access to learning support staff.
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## 3. Sports & Extracurricular Strengths
- Sports offered: Soccer, Netball, Rugby, Athletics, Cricket, Swimming, and general physical education programs.
- Strong teams or achievements: Competitive regional teams and consistent participation in inter-school events, with a focus on teamwork and sportsmanship.
- Music, arts, drama programs: School choir, instrumental group, ensemble performances, school productions, and drama activities.
- Clubs: Robotics, Chess, Coding, Debating, and various student-led interest groups.
- Partnerships: Collaborations with local community clubs and regional competitions to broaden opportunities for students.
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## 4. Wellbeing & Pastoral Care
- Anti-bullying approach: Whole-school anti-bullying policy, clear reporting channels, restorative practices, and wellbeing education integrated into the curriculum.
- House system: House-based structure supporting pastoral care, events, and friendship across year levels.
- Counsellors / wellbeing officers: Access to school counsellors and wellbeing staff to support mental health, social-emotional learning, and student resilience.
- Transition support for new students: Orientation programs, buddy systems, and targeted transition support to help new students settle in smoothly.
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## 5. Facilities
- Sports grounds: On-site fields and courts for physical education and sports.
- Libraries: Dedicated library with seating, study spaces, and resource access.
- Science labs: Modern science laboratories for hands-on learning.
- Music/performing arts centers: Music rooms and spaces for drama and performance.
- Tech/innovation labs: Computers/tech labs and maker spaces to support digital learning and projects.
- Cafeteria: On-site canteen offering healthy meal options.
- Updated playgrounds: Modern outdoor play and learning areas supporting active breaks.
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## 6. School Values & Community Culture
- School values / mission: Emphasis on Respect, Responsibility, Inclusion, and Excellence; a commitment to equitable opportunities for all students.
- Leadership style: Distributed leadership with student voice through councils and active staff collaboration; strong partnerships with families.
- Behaviour expectations: Clear code of conduct, restorative approaches to discipline, and consistent practices across year levels.
- Community reputation: Positive relationships with local families and community groups; growing inclusive culture and strong parent involvement.
- Diversity & inclusion: Focus on equity and inclusion, with supports for language differences, learning needs, and cultural diversity.
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## 7. School Logistics & Daily Operations
- School hours: Typical day runs from morning start around 8:30 am to afternoon finish around 3:00 pm (check current timetable for exact times).
- Before/after school care: Available through on-site or partner providers; programs run before and after school hours.
- Uniform requirements: School uniform required; details provided by the school (seasonal variations and year-level options).
- Transport (train/bus routes): Local bus routes and public transport options available; school may offer drop-off zones and stable pick-up/personal transport arrangements.
- Canteen availability: On-site canteen offering a selection of healthy options.
- Fees (low/medium/high ranges): Public schools generally have low costs; additional contributions may include uniforms, excursions, and certain activity fees.
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## 8. Enrolment & Admissions
### 11. What is the enrolment process and timeline?
- Check boundary eligibility and determine the appropriate stage (kindy, primary, or other admission path).
- Submit an enrolment application via the NSW Department of Education portal or school process.
- Provide required documents (birth certificate, immunisation records, proof of address, previous school records if applicable).
- School may invite you to an information session or orientation; if a place is available, an offer will be made and enrolment completed.
- Orientation or transition activities are scheduled prior to start date.
### 12. Is there a waiting list, and how does it work?
- Wait lists can occur when applications exceed available places.
- Offers are typically prioritised by residential boundary and date of application; schools may consider sibling placement and program availability.
- It’s important to maintain ongoing contact with the school to stay updated on space availability.
### 13. Are there any entry requirements, tests, or interviews?
- For most public school placements, there is no selective entrance test.
- Some programs or specific year levels may require brief interviews or information sessions, but this is not typical for standard enrolment.
- Documentation and eligibility (boundary rules) determine placement.
### 14. Does the school accept mid-year transfers?
- Mid-year transfers are possible if there are spaces available.
- Requirements typically include current school records, a transfer note, and confirmation of enrolment boundaries; timing depends on space and administrative processing.
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## 9. Frequently Ask Questions
- Why Parents Choose This School?
- A welcoming, inclusive environment; strong emphasis on literacy and numeracy; supportive staff; balanced focus on academics, arts, and wellbeing; active community involvement.
- What type of student thrives at this school?
- Curious, respectful, collaborative students who value a supportive community and a well-rounded education.
- What opportunities are available for students to extend their skills (academics, sports, arts)?
- Gifted & Talented pathways, clubs (robotics, coding, chess, debating), sports teams, music programs, theatre, and inter-school competitions.
- How does the school communicate with parents?
- Regular newsletters, email updates, a parent portal, phone calls, and scheduled parent-teacher interviews; information is also posted on the school’s communications channels.
- What is the school’s approach to teaching and learning?
- Student-centered, differentiated instruction with evidence-based practices, collaboration, and integration of technology to support learning.
- How does the school support students who need extra academic help?
- In-class support, targeted intervention, reading recovery, EAL/SEN support, and access to learning support staff.
- What support is available for academic challenges?
- Learning support teams, individualised plans, referrals to specialists when needed, and ongoing progress monitoring.
- How does the school communicate with parents?
- See above: multiple channels including newsletters, portal, and meetings.
- What are the class sizes and how much individual attention do students receive?
- Typical class sizes around 20–25 students; teachers differentiate instruction and provide targeted support, with additional small-group or one-on-one time as needed.
- What extracurricular and sports opportunities are available?
- A range of sports teams, clubs (robotics, coding, chess, debating), music and drama programs, and community partnerships for competitions.
- What facilities does the school offer (sports, science, arts)?
- Sports grounds, library, science labs, music/performing arts spaces, tech/innovation labs, canteen, and updated outdoor play areas.
- What is the school’s approach to technology and digital learning?
- Technology integrated into daily learning, device access in classrooms, digital literacy and safety education, and opportunities for coding and online learning.
- What transport and accessibility options are available?
- Local bus routes and public transport options; accessible facilities and safe drop-off/pick-up arrangements.
- What are the typical school fees or additional costs?
- Public school costs are generally low; additional costs may include uniforms, excursions, and optional activities or programs.
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## 10. Short Pros & Cons list
- Pros
- Supportive, inclusive culture with strong community ties
- Solid academic foundations in literacy and numeracy
- Broad range of extracurriculars across sports, arts, and STEM
- Dedicated wellbeing supports and a House-based pastoral system
- Moderate class sizes enabling more individual attention
- Good facilities including libraries, labs, and performance spaces
- Cons
- As a medium-size public school, some programs may have limited capacity or waitlists
- Not a selective or specialised-entry school; highly targeted programs may be limited
- Some costs for uniforms, excursions, and optional activities
- Availability of certain activities can vary year to year depending on enrolments and staffing
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