Mandurama Public School

1. Overview Mandurama Public School is a public primary school serving the local rural community. It offers a small-school environment with a tight-knit culture that prioritises inclusivity, support, and student wellbeing. The school focuses on delivering strong foundations in literacy and numeracy while fostering curiosity and local community involvement. - School type: Public - School size: Small - Class size: Typically 15–20 students per class - Atmosphere/culture: Nurturing, inclusive, community-focused ⸻ 2. Academics & Learning Mandurama Public School emphasises core literacy and numeracy with opportunities for learning beyond the classroom in STEM, arts, and leadership. The school aims to develop confident, curious learners who can think critically and collaborate effectively. - Academic strengths: Literacy and numeracy with a growing focus on STEM, inquiry-based learning, and student leadership opportunities - Special programs: Gifted and Talented (G&T) pathways or targeted enrichment where available; occasional specialist sessions and programs aligned with NSW curricula - NAPLAN trends: Trends are monitored year to year; as with many small rural schools, fluctuations can occur, but staff actively respond with targeted supports to improve reading and numeracy - Student-teacher ratios: Small class sizes support frequent teacher interaction; ratio typically in the vicinity of 1:10–1:15 in many classes - Support for diverse learners: EAL and SEN support through in-class differentiation, learning support staff, and targeted small-group instruction ⸻ 3. Sports & Extracurricular Strengths This section highlights activities that many Aussie and UK parents look for, especially for boys aged 10–14. - Sports offered: Cricket, soccer/football, athletics, cross-country, rugby league/Touch in appropriate years, swimming - Strong teams or achievements: Participation in local and regional interschool events; emphasis on teamwork, sportsmanship, and consistent participation - Music, arts, drama programs: In-school music sessions, school choir or ensembles, and opportunities to participate in school productions or performances - Clubs: Robotics, coding, chess, debating, and other interest clubs offered through school programs or partnerships - Partnerships: Local community clubs and regional inter-school competitions; collaborations with nearby facilities for fixtures, training, and events ⸻ 4. Wellbeing & Pastoral Care Top priority for today’s families, with practices aimed at creating a safe and supportive learning environment. - Anti-bullying approach: Positive and proactive behaviours, with restorative practices and a clear anti-bullying policy - House system: House groups to promote spirit, teamwork, and healthy competition - Counsellors / wellbeing officers: Access to wellbeing staff or a school counsellor on a part-time basis; ongoing wellbeing supports for students - Transition support for new students: Orientation activities, buddy systems, and targeted supports to ease transitions between year levels and to high school ⸻ 5. Facilities Facilities are designed to be practical and welcoming, supporting a range of learning and activity. - Sports grounds: On-site outdoor sport spaces for PE and games - Libraries: A school library with age-appropriate resources - Science labs: Science spaces or well-equipped science resources aligned with the NSW curriculum - Music/performing arts centers: A multi-use space for music and drama activities - Tech/innovation labs: Basic ICT resources and digital learning supports - Cafeteria: On-site canteen or access to a simple meal/snack space - Updated playgrounds: Age-appropriate play equipment and safe outdoor areas ⸻ 6. School Values & Community Culture Parents want to know the character of the school and the student body. - School values / mission: Respect, responsibility, inclusion, and everyday integrity; focus on student voice and community contribution - Leadership style: Distributed leadership with opportunities for student involvement and teacher collaboration - Behaviour expectations: Clear, consistently applied expectations; positive reinforcement and restorative approaches - Community reputation: Warm, friendly, and close-knit; strong links with families and local community - Diversity & inclusion: Commitment to inclusive practices and supporting students of varied backgrounds and abilities ⸻ 7. School Logistics & Daily Operations Practical logistics help families plan around school life. - School hours: Generally aligns with NSW public school timetables (roughly 9:00 am–3:00 pm; exact times published by the school) - Before/after school care: ONSH or OSHC options may be available through local providers - Uniform requirements: School uniform compulsory; details provided by the school - Transport (train/bus routes): Bus routes or local transport options available; check with NSW transport services and the school - Canteen availability: Canteen or snack provision available on certain days; dependent on facilities and volunteers - Fees (low/medium/high ranges): Public schools have low to modest voluntary contributions; additional costs may arise for excursions or optional programs ⸻ 8. Enrolment & Admissions 11. What is the enrolment process and timeline? - Check eligibility and community catchment requirements - Contact the school to obtain the enrolment package and arrange a meeting - Submit the completed enrolment form with required documents (birth certificate, immunisation records, proof of address, custody documents if applicable) - Receive confirmation and participate in any orientation or preparation activities - Timeline varies; early preparation helps align with term start dates and intake periods 12. Is there a waiting list, and how does it work? - Small rural schools may have waiting lists depending on vacancies - Priority often given to siblings of current students and to families within the local catchment - If a waiting list exists, families are informed of expected wait times and the process to move up the list 13. Are there any entry requirements, tests, or interviews? - Generally no entrance tests or formal interviews for public primary schools - Some information sessions or casual meetings may occur to support transition and enrolment - Immunisation requirements and proof of age are typically required 14. Does the school accept mid-year transfers? - Yes, subject to vacancy and availability of places - Parents should contact the school promptly to discuss transfer options and complete the required paperwork ⸻ 9. Frequently Asked Questions - Why Parents Choose This School? - A welcoming, close-knit community with small class sizes and strong support for every student - What type of student thrives at this school? - Students who benefit from a nurturing environment, close teacher-student relationships, and opportunities to participate in a range of activities - What opportunities are available for students to extend their skills (academics, sports, arts)? - Strong focus on literacy and numeracy; STEM and leadership opportunities; sports programs; music and drama; clubs like robotics, coding, chess, and debating - How does the school communicate with parents? - Regular newsletters, emails, school apps or portals, parent-teacher interviews, and open communications channels - What is the school’s approach to teaching and learning? - Student-centred, evidence-informed instruction with differentiation to meet diverse needs; emphasis on core skills and active engagement - How does the school support students who need extra academic help? - In-class differentiation, targeted small-group instruction, learning support staff, and referrals to external services as needed - What support is available for academic challenges? - Additional tutoring, counselling and wellbeing supports, and access to specialist staff for academic planning - How does the school communicate with parents? (Repeated) - See above: newsletters, portals, interviews, and timely updates - What are the class sizes and how much individual attention do students receive? - Classes are small (typically 15–20 students); teachers provide frequent individual attention through in-class support and targeted interventions - What extracurricular and sports opportunities are available? - A range of sports (cricket, soccer, athletics, swimming, etc.), plus clubs in robotics, coding, chess, debating, and arts activities - What facilities does the school offer (sports, science, arts)? - Sports grounds, library, science resources, music/drama spaces, and basic technology and ICT facilities - What is the school’s approach to technology and digital learning? - Integration of ICT across learning with access to devices, digital resources, and interactive learning tools - What transport and accessibility options are available? - Local bus routes or school transport arrangements; safe access and drop-off options - What are the typical school fees or additional costs? - Public school fees are generally low with some voluntary contributions; additional costs may arise for excursions and certain programs ⸻ 10. Short Pros & Cons list Pros - Small class sizes and close teacher-student relationships - Nurturing, inclusive, and supportive school culture - Strong community involvement and local connections - Opportunities across academics, sports, arts, and clubs - Focus on wellbeing, safety, and positive behaviour Cons - Limited specialist facilities or breadth of programs compared to larger schools - Fewer in-house elective options may require external activities - Travel considerations for some families in a rural area - Availability of some programs can depend on volunteer support and local partnerships ⸻