Our Lady of Lourdes School

## 1. Overview Our Lady of Lourdes School is a Catholic (co-educational) primary school in Dardanup, Western Australia, serving families in the local community and surrounding areas. The school emphasizes faith-based education, strong community connections, and a values-driven approach to learning. Typical class sizes are small to medium, with around 20–25 students per class, supporting personalized attention and supportive relationships between students and staff. The atmosphere is nurturing and inclusive, emphasising service, respect, and collaboration within a faith-filled context. As a parish-aligned school, it fosters partnerships with families and the local parish to support students’ academic, social, and spiritual development. The school aims to build confident, responsible learners who contribute positively to their community. --- ## 2. Academics & Learning - Academic strengths: strong focus on literacy and numeracy, with integrated Religious Education to support character development and ethical learning; emphasis on critical thinking, reading comprehension, and writing across the curriculum; attention to Science, Social Studies, and the arts within a well-rounded curriculum. - Special programs: opportunities for leadership development through student council and classroom responsibilities; exposure to STEM activities and digital technologies; faith-based programs that complement academic learning. - NAPLAN / trends: WA Catholic primary schools in similar settings typically show steady performance with gradual improvements in reading and numeracy over time; progress is often tracked against state benchmarks and local cohort trends. - Student-teacher ratios: generally small to medium class sizes with supportive teacher-to-student ratios enabling targeted instruction and individualized feedback. - Support for diverse learners: inclusive education approach with targeted support for students needing extra help; literacy and numeracy interventions; access to additional support staff and EAL/SEN accommodations where required. --- ## 3. Sports & Extracurricular Strengths - Sports offered: common primary-level sports include soccer (football), netball, cricket, athletics, and cross-country; opportunities for participation in local inter-school events. - Strong teams or achievements: active involvement in school teams and local competitions; emphasis on teamwork, fair play, and school spirit. - Music, arts, drama programs: inclusive music and performing arts opportunities, school choirs, and regular opportunities to participate in theatre or concert presentations. - Clubs: robotics, chess, coding, debating, and other STEM/academic clubs are encouraged to broaden interests and collaboration. - Partnerships: connections with local community groups, parish activities, and regional competitions to extend learning beyond the classroom. --- ## 4. Wellbeing & Pastoral Care - Anti-bullying approach: clear anti-bullying policies, proactive student wellbeing programs, and restorative practices to resolve issues and promote respect. - House system: a house-based structure that encourages healthy competition, teamwork, and school pride. - Counsellors / wellbeing officers: access to school wellbeing staff or trained professionals to support students’ emotional and social needs. - Transition support for new students: orientation programs, buddy systems, and family support to help new students settle into the school community. --- ## 5. Facilities - Sports grounds: well-maintained outdoor play and sports spaces suitable for a range of physical activities. - Libraries: a well-stocked library supporting reading and inquiry across year levels. - Science labs: dedicated science spaces or labs for practical experiments and inquiry-based learning. - Music/performing arts centers: designated music room and performance spaces for rehearsals and productions. - Tech/innovation labs: ICT suites or technology-enabled learning spaces that support digital literacy and coding. - Cafeteria: canteen or servery options available on certain days to support student nutrition. - Updated playgrounds: modern and safe play areas with age-appropriate equipment. --- ## 6. School Values & Community Culture - School values / mission: values-based education grounded in Catholic faith, with emphasis on respect, compassion, responsibility, and service. - Leadership style: collaborative and student-centered, encouraging student voice and teacher-student partnerships. - Behaviour expectations: clear codes of conduct, positive reinforcement, and consistent expectations across year levels. - Community reputation: strong ties with families and the local parish, contributing to a supportive and engaged community. - Diversity & inclusion: welcoming environment that respects and supports diverse backgrounds and needs. --- ## 7. School Logistics & Daily Operations - School hours: typical school day runs during standard WA hours, with assemblies and instructional time distributed across the day. - Before/after school care: availability of before/after school care or organized arrangements with approved providers. - Uniform requirements: school uniform policy with specific items required; guidance on when to wear each item. - Transport (train/bus routes): transport options typically include local bus services and school transport arrangements; families coordinate drop-off/pick-up. - Canteen availability: canteen or lunch program available on select days or via agreed arrangements. - Fees (low/medium/high ranges): fee levels align with mid-range for Catholic primary schools in WA, with transparency around necessary charges for curriculum, activities, and levies. --- ## 8. Enrolment & Admissions 11. What is the enrolment process and timeline? - Submit an expression of interest or enrolment application by the school’s published cut-off dates. - Interview or meeting with administration to discuss placement, family needs, and school alignment. - Confirmation of enrolment and communication of welcome/enrolment package; orientation information provided for new families. 12. Is there a waiting list, and how does it work? - There is a waiting list when the year level reaches capacity; placement often prioritizes parish affiliations, year of application, and space availability. Families are kept informed of their status and expected timelines. 13. Are there any entry requirements, tests, or interviews? - Typically, there is a family interview or meeting and discussion of enrolment details; no formal entrance exam is usually required. Some assessments may occur to identify additional support needs or English as an Additional Language (EAL) considerations. 14. Does the school accept mid-year transfers? - Mid-year transfers are considered subject to space, placement balance, and alignment with the student’s needs and the school program. Transfer timing may require documentation and coordination with current school records. --- ## 9. Frequently Asked Questions - Why Parents Choose This School? - A faith-based community that emphasizes values, small-to-medium class sizes, strong pastoral care, and a welcoming, supportive environment for families. - What type of student thrives at this school? - Students who value community, faith-informed education, collaboration, and a well-rounded program that balances academics, sports, arts, and service. - What opportunities are available for students to extend their skills (academics, sports, arts)? - Extension in literacy, numeracy and STEM activities; leadership opportunities; sports teams; music and drama programs; robotics and coding clubs. - How does the school communicate with parents? - Regular newsletters, emails, parent-teacher meetings, and school communications channels that keep families informed about learning and events. - What is the school’s approach to teaching and learning? - Curriculum aligned with WA standards, differentiated instruction, and a focus on inclusive, faith-informed education that supports each student’s growth. - How does the school support students who need extra academic help? - Targeted interventions, small-group support, and access to support staff to assist with learning needs and skill development. - What support is available for academic challenges? - Additional tutoring, reading/numeracy support, and collaboration with teachers and families to create individualized plans. - How does the school communicate with parents? (repeat) - See above: newsletters, emails, parent-teacher meetings, and digital platforms for ongoing updates. - What are the class sizes and how much individual attention do students receive? - Class sizes are small to medium, with a focus on providing individual feedback and targeted support within the classroom. - What extracurricular and sports opportunities are available? - A range of clubs (robotics, chess, coding, debating) and sports (soccer, netball, cricket, athletics) along with music and drama programs. - What facilities does the school offer (sports, science, arts)? - Libraries, science labs, music/performing arts spaces, tech/ICT labs, sports grounds, and a canteen. - What is the school’s approach to technology and digital learning? - Integrated digital literacy programs, ICT resources, and guidance on responsible use of technology within learning activities. - What transport and accessibility options are available? - Local bus routes and transport arrangements; accessibility features and parent coordination for drop-off/pick-up. - What are the typical school fees or additional costs? - Fees are mid-range for WA Catholic primary schools, with transparent information on essential items, uniforms, and approved excursions. --- ## 10. Short Pros & Cons list - Pros - Strong Catholic values and faith-based ethos integrated with academics - Small-to-medium class sizes for individualized attention - Comprehensive wellbeing and pastoral care - Broad range of extracurriculars (sports, arts, clubs) - Supportive community with active family and parish connections - Cons - May have fewer elective options than larger schools - Transit options depend on family logistics and location - Uniform requirements and associated costs - Availability of places can vary by year level; mid-year transfers subject to space