Our Lady of Fatima Parish Primary School

## 1. Overview School Our Lady of Fatima Parish Primary School is a Catholic primary school in Rosebud, VIC, rooted in parish-based Catholic education. The school combines faith formation with a solid academic program to support the holistic development of each child. As a small-to-medium community, classes are intimate enough to allow personalised attention and strong relationships. The atmosphere is nurturing and inclusive, with a focus on respect, responsibility, and teamwork that helps students feel supported as they learn and grow. - School type: Catholic - School size: Small to medium - Class size: Typically around 20–25 students - Atmosphere/culture: Nurturing, inclusive, faith-based, values-driven --- ## 2. Academics & Learning - Academic strengths: Strong foundations in literacy and numeracy, complemented by a solid religious education program. Emphasis on developing critical thinking, reading comprehension, and confident written and oral communication. - Special programs: Catholic identity and faith formation embedded in learning; differentiated instruction to meet diverse needs; opportunities for leadership and community involvement. - NAPLAN / trends: Steady, ongoing progress in literacy and numeracy with a consistent achievement trajectory over recent years. - Student-teacher ratios: General classroom ratios commonly around 1:12–1:20, enabling closer teacher support. - Support for diverse learners: EAL/D support where needed; targeted support for students requiring additional assistance in literacy or numeracy; access to small-group and in-class adjustments as appropriate. --- ## 3. Sports & Extracurricular Strengths - Sports offered: A range of traditional primary school sports (e.g., netball, basketball, soccer, cricket, athletics); opportunities to participate in local inter-school sport programs. - Strong teams or achievements: Active involvement in district-level events and school-level teams with a focus on participation, teamwork, and sport for all. - Music, arts, drama programs: Regular music and performing arts opportunities, school concerts, choir or vocal programs, and creative arts activities integrated into the curriculum. - Clubs: Robotics, coding, chess, debating, and other practical clubs to extend learning beyond core subjects. - Partnerships: Collaborations with local community groups and sport/arts activities to provide additional opportunities and competitions. --- ## 4. Wellbeing & Pastoral Care - Anti-bullying approach: Whole-school anti-bullying policy supported by restorative practices and mentoring programs to foster a safe and respectful environment. - House system: House groups used to promote tradition, teamwork, and positive competition through regular activities and events. - Counsellors / wellbeing officers: Access to wellbeing staff or dedicated support for student welfare, with programs aimed at social-emotional learning. - Transition support for new students: Orientation programs, buddy systems, and targeted transition activities to help new students settle in smoothly. --- ## 5. Facilities - Sports grounds: External and internal spaces for physical activity and games. - Libraries: Well-stocked library supporting reading for pleasure and research. - Science labs: Practical spaces for science experiments and inquiry-based learning. - Music/performing arts centers: Venues and spaces for music, drama, and performance. - Tech/innovation labs: Modern spaces for technology, coding, and digital learning activities. - Cafeteria: On-site eating area to support daily meals and snack options. - Updated playgrounds: Safe, well-maintained play spaces conducive to active breaks and outdoor learning. --- ## 6. School Values & Community Culture - School values / mission: Catholic values such as respect, compassion, honesty, and responsibility underpin daily learning and community life. - Leadership style: Collaborative, student-involved, and service-oriented leadership that encourages initiative and community contribution. - Behaviour expectations: Clear guidelines and positive-behaviour expectations rooted in respect and accountability. - Community reputation: Supportive parish and local community with a focus on caring for others and contributing positively to society. - Diversity & inclusion: Inclusive culture that welcomes students from diverse backgrounds and promotes belonging. --- ## 7. School Logistics & Daily Operations - School hours: Typical primary school day with start around 9:00 am and finish around 3:15 pm, with supervised arrival/dismissal periods. - Before/after school care: Availability of before/after school care arrangements, often via an in-house program or a local provider. - Uniform requirements: Catholic school uniform policy with specified dress items for daily wear and excursion days. - Transport (train/bus routes): Local bus services and family-driven transport options; proximity to public transport and local routes. - Canteen availability: On-site or nearby canteen options offering lunch and snack choices. - Fees (low/medium/high ranges): Fees aligned with local Catholic primary schools; generally in the low-to-mid range, with possible additional costs for excursions and activities. --- ## 8. Enrolment & Admissions 11. What is the enrolment process and timeline? - Inquiries can be made to arrange a school visit or information session. - Submit an enrolment application with required documentation (birth certificate, immunisation status, proof of address, etc.). - Family preferences (parish affiliation, local postcode, and sibling considerations) may influence prioritisation. - Interview or informal meeting with families and a school representative to discuss fit and expectations. - Offers are issued according to capacity and policy timelines; accepted offers confirm enrolment by a stated date. 12. Is there a waiting list, and how does it work? - Yes, there is a waiting list when places are full. Allocation is typically based on factors such as parish preference, geographical catchment, sibling status, and availability. The school can provide current wait times and criteria on request. 13. Are there any entry requirements, tests, or interviews? - Generally, no entrance test is required. A friendly interview or meeting helps assess readiness, values alignment, and family expectations. Documentation such as birth certificate and immunisation records are usually requested. 14. Does the school accept mid-year transfers? - Mid-year transfers are considered subject to place availability and meeting enrolment requirements. Families should contact the school early to discuss options and the transfer process. --- ## 9. Frequently Asked Questions - Why Parents Choose This School? - A strong Catholic identity, caring and skilled staff, a supportive community, and a focus on holistic development and academic growth. - What type of student thrives at this school? - Students who are engaged, values-based, collaborative, and who enjoy participation in faith, academics, sports, and the arts. - What opportunities are available for students to extend their skills (academics, sports, arts)? - Opportunities include advanced literacy/numeracy supports, leadership roles, robotics/coding clubs, chess, debating, school teams, music and drama programs, and inter-school sports. - How does the school communicate with parents? - Regular newsletters, emails, school app or portal updates, and scheduled parent-teacher interviews. - What is the school’s approach to teaching and learning? - Student-centred, differentiated instruction, strong literacy and numeracy focus, and integration of faith values into daily learning. - How does the school support students who need extra academic help? - Targeted interventions, small-group instruction, and access to specialist staff to support literacy, numeracy, and other learning needs. - What support is available for academic challenges? - Early identification, personalised support plans, and ongoing monitoring to help students progress. - How does the school communicate with parents? (Repeated question) - See above: newsletters, emails, app/portal, and conferences. - What are the class sizes and how much individual attention do students receive? - Class sizes are small-to-medium (around 20–25 students), enabling regular teacher-student interaction and personalised support. - What extracurricular and sports opportunities are available? - A broad range including team and individual sports, robotics/coding, chess, debating, music and drama, and arts-related activities. - 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 learning with access to devices, coding activities, and age-appropriate technology use within the curriculum. - What transport and accessibility options are available? - Local bus routes, walking/cycling options where appropriate, and school-supported drop-off arrangements. - What are typical school fees or additional costs? - Fees are in the low-to-mid range for Catholic primary schools, with occasional costs for excursions, activities, and materials. --- ## 10. Short Pros & Cons list - Pros - Strong Catholic identity and values-based education - Nurturing, inclusive community and relatively small class sizes - Solid literacy and numeracy foundations with broad extracurricular options - Welcoming wellbeing and pastoral support - Well-equipped facilities across sports, science, arts, and technology - Cons - As a parish school, the environment is Catholic-biased, which may not suit all families - Location may be less convenient for families outside the immediate Rosebud area - Fees and some activity costs may be a consideration for some households - Availability of places can be limited during peak intake periods (board/term transitions)