Mother Teresa School

# 1. Overview Mother Teresa School Harrison is a Catholic, co-educational primary school serving students in the ACT. The school aims to foster a warm, faith-filled community where families feel welcomed and supported. With a medium-sized student body, class sizes typically sit within the 20–25 range, allowing for more individual attention and a caring classroom atmosphere. The culture emphasises nurturing relationships, inclusive practice, and a balance of faith formation with academic achievement. Students are encouraged to participate in leadership roles, service, and a range of extracurricular activities that reflect shared values and community spirit. # 2. Academics & Learning - Academic strengths: The school emphasises strong literacy and numeracy foundations, with a focus on reading, writing, and mathematical problem-solving. there is attention to faith-based education and opportunities for character development alongside academic work. - Special programs: Catholic Education ACT programs are typical, with potential opportunities for leadership development, extension tasks, and gifted/talented pathways woven into the daily learning. International Baccalaureate (IB) programs are not standard at Australian primary level in this context; families should confirm current offerings. - NAPLAN / trends: Schools in this sector commonly publish annual NAPLAN data; trends typically show steady progress year over year with targeted improvement in reading and numeracy. For precise trends, refer to the school’s published reports or parent communications. - Student-teacher ratios: Class sizes generally around 20–25 students, with teaching staff focusing on differentiated instruction to meet diverse needs. - Support for diverse learners: The school offers inclusive education practices, with support for diverse learners including EAL (English as an Additional Language) entrants and SEN (Special Educational Needs) support, along with access to targeted interventions as needed. # 3. Sports & Extracurricular Strengths - Sports offered: A broad range of school sports, including team and individual activities such as soccer, basketball, netball, cricket, athletics, and swimming, with opportunities to compete in inter-school events. - Strong teams or achievements: The school participates in local and inter-school competitions and aims to recognise achievements across sports and physical education. - Music, arts, drama programs: Active programs in music, performing arts, and drama contribute to a well-rounded arts curriculum and school productions. - Clubs: Robotics, coding, chess, debating, and other interest-based clubs are offered to extend learning beyond the classroom. - Partnerships: The school may engage with local clubs, community groups, and inter-school competitions to provide additional opportunities for students to showcase talents. # 4. Wellbeing & Pastoral Care - Anti-bullying approach: A proactive, whole-school approach to wellbeing and safety, with clear anti-bullying policies and supportive responses to concerns. - House system: A house structure is typically used to promote belonging, teamwork, and healthy competition across year levels. - Counsellors / wellbeing officers: Access to school wellbeing staff or counsellors to support social-emotional learning and student welfare. - Transition support for new students: Orientation activities, buddy systems, and targeted transition support help new students settle in smoothly. # 5. Facilities - Sports grounds: On-site sports facilities and access to nearby playing fields for games and PE. - Libraries: A dedicated library space supporting literacy and inquiry-based learning. - Science labs: Well-equipped science spaces for hands-on experiments and STEM activities. - Music/performing arts centers: Areas for music education, rehearsals, and performances. - Tech/innovation labs: ICT and maker-space environments to support digital learning and project-based work. - Cafeteria: An on-site canteen or lunch facilities supporting student nutrition. - Updated playgrounds: Well-maintained outdoor play areas and recreational spaces. # 6. School Values & Community Culture - School values / mission: A faith-centered mission grounded in Catholic ideals of compassion, respect, integrity, and service to others. - Leadership style: A collaborative leadership approach that includes student voice, teacher collaboration, and family partnerships. - Behaviour expectations: Clear behavioural guidelines built around respect, safety, and inclusion; consistent expectations across the school. - Community reputation: Positive relationships with parish and local community groups, reflecting a welcoming school culture. - Diversity & inclusion: Commitment to an inclusive environment that supports students from diverse backgrounds and abilities. # 7. School Logistics & Daily Operations - School hours: Typical daily schedule runs through a morning and afternoon session, with start and finish times aligning with ACT norms (exact times published by the school). - Before/after school care: Before and after school care or supervision is often available through the school or local providers. - Uniform requirements: A formal school uniform is required, with guidelines for sports or activity dress on appropriate days. - Transport (train/bus routes): Access via public transport and local bus routes; information on bus stops and routes is provided by the school or local transport authorities. - Canteen availability: Canteen or food service options are available on site or nearby, with age-appropriate meals and snacks. - Fees (low/medium/high ranges): Fees are typically in the low-to-mid range for Catholic primary schools; additional costs may apply for excursions, activities, and camps. # 8. Enrolment & Admissions - 11. What is the enrolment process and timeline? - Submit an application through the school's enrolment channel (often via the Catholic Education ACT process or the school’s online portal). - Provide required documents (identity/birth details, immunisation records, proof of residence, prior school reports as applicable). - Complete any family/personal interviews or information sessions as part of the intake process. - Receive notification of outcomes and next steps; timelines vary by intake year and grade level. - 12. Is there a waiting list, and how does it work? - Waiting lists are common when demand exceeds places. Applications are placed on a waiting list by date of submission and eligibility, with priority often given to siblings or Catholic families, depending on the school’s policy. - Parents are typically updated periodically about their status. - 13. Are there any entry requirements, tests, or interviews? - Entry generally involves an interview or information session for families and sometimes the student. There are usually no formal entrance exams for primary grades, though some interviews may assess readiness and fit with school values. - Families may be asked to provide information about religious affiliation and conduct at home as part of faith formation alignment. - 14. Does the school accept mid-year transfers? - Mid-year transfers can be possible if there is available space. Prospective families should contact the school early to discuss openings, transfer procedures, and required documentation. # 9. Frequently Asked Questions - Why Parents Choose This School? - Parents value the Catholic ethos, a caring and inclusive community, strong well-being support, and a focus on both academic and faith development in a welcoming environment. - What type of student thrives at this school? - Students who appreciate a values-based education, active involvement in community and service, strong relationships with teachers, and participation in a range of academic and extracurricular activities. - What opportunities are available for students to extend their skills (academics, sports, arts)? - Access to extension tasks within core subjects, leadership opportunities, robotics and coding clubs, sports teams, music ensembles, drama productions, and inter-school competitions. - How does the school communicate with parents? - Regular newsletters, parent portals or apps, scheduled parent-teacher interviews, and timely updates on events, notices, and student progress. - What is the school’s approach to teaching and learning? - A differentiated, faith-informed approach that combines high-quality literacy and numeracy instruction with inquiry-based learning, character education, and opportunities for collaboration. - How does the school support students who need extra academic help? - Targeted interventions, learning support staff, EAL programs, SEN plans, and collaboration with families to tailor assistance. - What support is available for academic challenges? - Additional tutoring, small-group or in-class interventions, and referrals to specialists as required to address specific learning needs. - What are the class sizes and how much individual attention do students receive? - Class sizes typically around 20–25 students, with teachers differentiating instruction to meet diverse learning needs and provide individual feedback. - What extracurricular and sports opportunities are available? - A broad calendar including team sports (soccer, basketball, netball, etc.), arts and music programs, robotics, coding, chess, debating, and drama productions. - What facilities does the school offer (sports, science, arts)? - Sports grounds, library, science labs, music/performing arts spaces, tech/innovation labs, cafeterias, and updated play areas. - What is the school’s approach to technology and digital learning? - Integration of digital tools to support learning, with age-appropriate devices, digital citizenship education, and safe online practices. - What transport and accessibility options are available? - Access to public transport and school-contracted or local bus services, with information on routes and accessibility features as needed. - What are the typical school fees or additional costs? - Fees tend to be in the low-to-mid range for Catholic primary schools, with additional costs for excursions, camps, and optional activities. # 10. Short Pros & Cons list - Pros - Catholic, values-based education with a nurturing community - Medium-sized, family-friendly environment - Strong wellbeing and pastoral care - Broad range of extracurriculars (sports, arts, clubs) - Modern facilities and a focus on inclusive education - Cons - Fees are applicable (typical of non-government schools) - Availability can vary by grade; some year levels may have waiting lists - IB programs are not commonly part of ACT primary schools (confirm current offerings if IB is a priority) - Location may require commuting for some families If you’d like, I can tailor this content with more precise details from the school’s current publications or communicate specific questions to the school to verify programs, facilities, and fees.