Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Primary School - Fairfield

## Overview Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Primary School is a Catholic, parish-based primary school serving families in Fairfield and surrounding areas. The school offers a warm, faith-informed learning community with a focus on holistic development,.values-based education and service to others. It operates as a private Catholic school within the NSW education system, providing a medium-sized school environment where every student can be known and nurtured. The school provides a welcoming, inclusive culture with small-to-medium class sizes that support individualized attention and strong student–teacher relationships. Classes are designed to foster collaboration, faith formation and a positive, respectful atmosphere where students are encouraged to grow academically, socially and spiritually. ⸻ ## Academics & Learning - Academic strengths: Strong emphasis on literacy and numeracy, with integration of STEM concepts and opportunities for creative arts and leadership development. Religious Education is embedded across the curriculum, supporting values-based learning. - Special programs: Opportunities for extension in core areas, with differentiation to meet learning needs. Catholic faith formation and commented religious education programs are central to the curriculum. - NAPLAN / trends: Trends typically show steady progress in reading and numeracy with continued focus on writing and comprehension; schools in this sector often report positive year-to-year improvements and consistent performance. - Student-teacher ratios: Class sizes are kept small-to-medium to support individual attention, with approximate ratios commonly around 1:12 to 1:18 depending on year level and class. - Support for diverse learners: Strong support for EAL (English as an Additional Language) and SEN (Special Educational Needs), including targeted interventions, inclusive practices and access to specialist staff as needed. ⸻ ## Sports & Extracurricular Strengths - Sports offered: Soccer (football), netball, basketball, cricket, AFL, rugby league, athletics and swimming are commonly available, with participation in inter-school and local district events. - Strong teams or achievements: Active involvement in district-level competitions; teams often achieve notable results and provide opportunities for student athletes to develop teamwork and sportsmanship. - Music, arts, drama programs: Activities such as school choir, band and drama productions are typical, with regular opportunities to perform in school and community events. - Clubs: Robotics, coding, chess and debating clubs are commonly offered, with lunch-time and after-school options to suit different interests. - Partnerships: Connections with local clubs, community organisations and diocesan programs support competitions, performances and enrichment opportunities. ⸻ ## Wellbeing & Pastoral Care - Anti-bullying approach: Clear anti-bullying policies supported by pastoral programs, restorative practices and student-led initiatives to promote respectful behaviour. - House system: A house-based system (with student leadership opportunities) to foster belonging, healthy competition and community spirit. - Counsellors / wellbeing officers: Access to school-based wellbeing staff or counsellors to support emotional health, resilience and social skills. - Transition support for new students: Orientation programs, buddy systems and targeted transition support to help new students settle in smoothly. ⸻ ## Facilities - Sports grounds: Dedicated playing fields and outdoor spaces for PE and recreation. - Libraries: On-site library with resources to support literacy and independent reading. - Science labs: Dedicated science facilities to support hands-on experiments and inquiry. - Music/performing arts centers: A space for music, drama and rehearsals, with opportunities to showcase work. - Tech/innovation labs: Computer labs or makerspace-style areas to support digital learning and project-based activities. - Cafeteria: On-site canteen offering healthy meal options and snacks. - Updated playgrounds: Modern, safe playgrounds and outdoor play areas for different year levels. ⸻ ## School Values & Community Culture - School values / mission: Values-based education rooted in Catholic faith, with emphasis on respect, responsibility, compassion and service to others. - Leadership style: Collaborative, inclusive leadership that involves staff, students and families in decision-making and student wellbeing. - Behaviour expectations: Clear expectations focused on respect, honesty, kindness and responsibility; consistent routines and positive reinforcement. - Community reputation: Strong ties with parish and local community, known for welcoming families and fostering a supportive school environment. - Diversity & inclusion: Commitment to inclusive education, welcoming students from diverse backgrounds and providing equitable access to learning opportunities. ⸻ ## School Logistics & Daily Operations - School hours: Usually a morning-to-afternoon schedule (e.g., 9:00 am–3:15 pm), with possible earlier start or staggered times on certain days. - Before/after school care: Out of School Hours Care (OSHC) options are typically available before and after school. - Uniform requirements: School uniform is required, with summer and winter options; logo polo shirts, shorts or skirts, and approved footwear; sports uniform for physical education days. - Transport (train/bus routes): Access to public transport and local bus routes is typically available; families often rely on car drop-off/pick-up zones around the school. - Canteen availability: On-site canteen or lunch program offering healthy options. - Fees (low/medium/high ranges): Fees are in the moderate range for private Catholic primary schools; additional costs may apply for excursions, camps and certain programs, with possible subsidies or family discounts. ⸻ ## Enrolment & Admissions 11. What is the enrolment process and timeline? - Begin with an expression of interest or online enquiry, followed by information sessions or orientation for prospective families. Submit the completed enrolment application with required documents (birth certificate, baptism certificate if applicable, immunisation records). The school may request a family interview and may provide a timeline for timelines from application to offer, depending on vacancies and year level. 12. Is there a waiting list, and how does it work? - Yes, there can be a waiting list when year levels reach capacity. Offers are typically made based on vacancy, application date, and often parish or Catholic Education guidelines. Families may be kept informed with regular updates during the process. 13. Are there any entry requirements, tests, or interviews? - Entry commonly involves a family interview and discussion of faith formation, rather than formal academic testing for primary years. Some year levels may include a brief assessment or readiness discussion to determine appropriate placement and support needs. 14. Does the school accept mid-year transfers? - Mid-year transfers are considered subject to vacancy and completion of the standard enrolment process. Parents may need to provide records from the current school and facilitate a smooth transition plan. ⸻ ## Frequently Asked Questions - Why Parents Choose This School? - A faith-centered community with supportive staff, strong literacy and numeracy foundations, inclusive practices and opportunities for service and leadership. - What type of student thrives at this school? - Students who respond well to a values-based environment, collaborative learning, and opportunities to participate in sports, arts and service activities. - What opportunities are available for students to extend their skills (academics, sports, arts)? - Extension in core subjects, access to robotics/coding clubs, music and drama programs, and local inter-school sports events. - How does the school communicate with parents? - Through newsletters, a school portal or app, parent-teacher meetings, and annual reports; ongoing channels for feedback and updates. - What is the school’s approach to teaching and learning? - Inclusive, differentiated instruction with a faith-informed approach, emphasis on inquiry, critical thinking and hands-on learning. - How does the school support students who need extra academic help? - Targeted interventions, small-group or one-on-one support, EAL and SEN considerations, and access to specialist staff as needed. - What support is available for academic challenges? - Early identification, learning support plans, progress monitoring and collaboration with families to set goals. - How does the school communicate with parents? (Repeated) - See above; additional channels may include school apps, SMS alerts for urgent notices and regular progress updates. - What are the class sizes and how much individual attention do students receive? - Class sizes are designed to be small-to-medium (roughly 20–22 students per class), allowing teachers to provide differentiated and attentive instruction. - What extracurricular and sports opportunities are available? - A range of sports (soccer, netball, basketball, cricket, AFL, etc.), plus clubs in robotics, coding, chess and debating, and music/drama programs. - What facilities does the school offer (sports, science, arts)? - Sports grounds, libraries, science labs, music/performing arts spaces, technology labs, a canteen and updated playgrounds. - What is the school’s approach to technology and digital learning? - Integration of ICT across the curriculum, with computer labs or devices for student use and a focus on digital literacy and online safety. - What transport and accessibility options are available? - Access to public transport and local bus routes; car drop-off zones and accessible facilities as part of daily operations. - What are the typical school fees or additional costs? - Fees are in the moderate range for private Catholic primary schools; additional costs may apply for excursions, camps and some programs, with potential discounts for families. ⸻ ## Short Pros & Cons list - Pros - Catholic, values-based education with strong sense of community - Moderate class sizes enabling individualized attention - Support for EAL and SEN; inclusive learning environment - Diverse extracurriculars: sports, music, arts, robotics, coding - Positive culture with emphasis on wellbeing, faith and service - Cons - Fees are applicable as a private school; some costs for excursions and activities - Limited year-level availability may lead to waitlists in certain cohorts - Transport options rely on public routes or car commuting in some areas - Religious-affiliated school may require participation in faith-based activities for interested families ⸻