1. Overview
Mazenod College is a Catholic, independent secondary school for boys in the Perth hills suburb of Lesmurdie. It caters to Year 7–12 students with a focus on developing faith, character and academic achievement in a supportive, close-knit environment. The college aims to balance strong exam results with pastoral care, leadership growth and participation in sport and extra-curricular activities.
The school is medium-sized, with class sizes typically in the low-to-mid 20s. The atmosphere is nurturing and inclusive, emphasising academic effort alongside sport, faith and community engagement. Students are encouraged to take responsibility for their learning while benefiting from a values-based, student-centered culture.
2. Academics & Learning
- Academic strengths: STEM disciplines, English, leadership development and languages are highlighted areas, with a focus on building strong literacy and numeracy skills and well-rounded communication.
- Special programs: Leadership opportunities, student council involvement and pathways that support extended learning or gifted/talented initiatives are available.
- NAPLAN trends: The school typically demonstrates stable to improving literacy and numeracy performance over time, with a consistent record of students meeting or exceeding expected benchmarks.
- Student-teacher ratios: Class sizes are mid-20s, supporting reasonably small groups and opportunities for teacher attention.
- Support for diverse learners: English as an Additional Language (EAL) support and Special Educational Needs (SEN) programs are provided to assist a diverse learner cohort.
3. Sports & Extracurricular Strengths
- Sports offered: A range of sports including AFL/football, soccer, basketball, cricket, tennis and athletics.
- Strong teams or achievements: Competitive junior and senior teams with active participation in local and regional competitions.
- Music, arts, drama programs: Robust music ensembles, choir and drama productions that provide performance opportunities.
- Clubs: Robotics, chess, coding, debating and other academically oriented or interest-based clubs are available.
- Partnerships: Connections with local clubs and regional competitions enhance opportunities for students to compete and collaborate outside the school.
4. Wellbeing & Pastoral Care
- Anti-bullying approach: A proactive, whole-school anti-bullying stance with clear policies and pastoral support.
- House system: A house-based framework supports pastoral care, with opportunities for house events, leadership and mentoring.
- Counsellors / wellbeing officers: On-site counsellors and wellbeing staff provide ongoing support for students.
- Transition support for new students: Orientation programs, peer buddy systems and transition resources help new students settle in smoothly.
5. Facilities
- Sports grounds: On-site sports fields and courts to support physical education and team sports.
- Libraries: Well-stocked library spaces for study and research.
- Science labs: Modern laboratories for biology, chemistry and physics experiments.
- Music/performing arts centers: Facilities for music ensembles and drama productions.
- Tech/innovation labs: Dedicated spaces for technology, coding and design projects.
- Cafeteria: On-site dining facilities with options for students.
- Updated playgrounds: Modern outdoor spaces and recreational areas for breaks and socializing.
6. School Values & Community Culture
- School values / mission: A faith-based ethos grounded in Catholic values, service, respect and integrity.
- Leadership style: Inclusive leadership with student voice and opportunities to contribute to school life and decision-making.
- Behaviour expectations: Clear standards around respect, responsibility, resilience and collaboration.
- Community reputation: A supportive, faith-centered community with active parent and alumni involvement.
- Diversity & inclusion: A welcoming environment that honours diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
7. School Logistics & Daily Operations
- School hours: Typical daily schedule runs from morning to afternoon with built-in breaks and a structured timetable.
- Before/after school care: Available to support families with extended hours.
- Uniform requirements: Formal school uniform is expected, including designated attire for daily wear and ceremonial occasions.
- Transport (train/bus routes): Access to public transport options and local bus routes; some students may commute by bus or carpool.
- Canteen availability: Canteen or lunch facilities provide meals and snacks.
- Fees (low/medium/high ranges): Fees are in the mid-to-high range relative to other WA private Catholic schools, reflecting private independent schooling.
8. Enrolment & Admissions
11. What is the enrolment process and timeline?
- Submit an enrolment application with required documents (birth certificate, immunisation records, identification).
- Provide academic reports and any requested references.
- Complete an admissions interview or school meeting for the student and family.
- Receive offer if a place is available and complete any acceptance steps within the specified timeline.
12. Is there a waiting list, and how does it work?
- There is often a waiting list when enrolment demand exceeds vacancies. Placement on the waiting list is typically influenced by availability, sibling considerations, Catholic affiliation status, and application date. Families on the list are kept informed of any changes or developments.
13. Are there any entry requirements, tests, or interviews?
- Entry often involves an interview with the student and family, along with consideration of pastoral compatibility and academic readiness. Some programs or year levels may request supporting documents or references; selective testing is not universally required but may apply in certain pathways.
14. Does the school accept mid-year transfers?
- Mid-year transfers are considered if vacancies exist. The process usually includes submission of current transcripts or reports, school references, and a smooth transition plan to align with the current cohort’s timetable and expectations.
9. Frequently Ask Questions
- Why Parents Choose This School?
Parents value the Catholic ethos, supportive community, balanced focus on academics and holistic development, clear pastoral care, and opportunities to lead and participate in sport and arts.
- What type of student thrives at this school?
Students who are motivated, respectful, collaborative, and open to balancing academic effort with faith-based values, leadership opportunities and sport/arts involvement tend to thrive.
- What opportunities are available for students to extend their skills (academics, sports, arts)?
Students can engage in leadership roles, academic extension opportunities, sports teams, music ensembles, drama productions, and clubs such as robotics, coding, chess and debating.
- How does the school communicate with parents?
Communication typically occurs through newsletters, email updates, a parent portal, scheduled parent-teacher interviews, and school social media channels.
- What is the school’s approach to teaching and learning?
The school emphasises holistic education within a Catholic framework, with student-centered learning, differentiation to meet diverse needs, and integration of technology and digital tools where appropriate.
- How does the school support students who need extra academic help?
Support includes tutoring or study support, targeted SEN interventions, EAL assistance, mentoring and access to learning support staff.
- What support is available for academic challenges?
Students facing academic challenges can access tutoring, study skills coaching, personalised plans, and referrals to specialists as needed.
- How does the school communicate with parents?
Regular updates via newsletters, emails, parent portals and interviews ensure ongoing parent engagement (note: this question appears twice in the prompt and is addressed here).
- What are the class sizes and how much individual attention do students receive?
Classes are in the low-to-mid 20s, with teachers able to provide targeted attention and opportunities for small-group support as needed.
- What extracurricular and sports opportunities are available?
A broad range of sports (AFL/football, soccer, basketball, cricket, tennis, athletics), music and drama programs, and clubs such as robotics, chess and debating are available.
- What facilities does the school offer (sports, science, arts)?
Facilities include sports grounds, libraries, science labs, music/performing arts spaces, tech/innovation labs, a canteen and updated outdoor play areas.
- What is the school’s approach to technology and digital learning?
The school integrates technology and digital learning to support teaching and independent learning, with appropriate online resources and digital literacy emphasis.
- What transport and accessibility options are available?
Students may access local bus routes or public transport, with car parking and convenient access to nearby transport hubs as part of WA’s school network.
- What are the typical school fees or additional costs?
Fees are in the mid-to-high range for private Catholic/independent schools in Western Australia, with potential extra costs for camps, activities, uniforms and certain programs.
10. Short Pros & Cons list
Pros
- Catholic values-based education with a strong pastoral framework
- Moderate class sizes conducive to teacher attention
- Wide range of sport, arts and extracurricular opportunities
- Supportive wellbeing services and house-based pastoral care
- Modern facilities and dedicated spaces for science, technology and the arts
Cons
- Fees reflect private/independent status and may be a consideration for some families
- Competitive environment in some programs; places can be limited in popular year levels
- Mid-week commutes from outer suburbs may require transportation planning for some families
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