Our Lady Queen of Peace School

1. Overview Our Lady Queen of Peace School is a Catholic primary school serving families in Albert Park and the surrounding area. As a Catholic school, it centers faith-based values, student wellbeing and community involvement, while delivering a broad curriculum to nurture the whole child. The school environment is small to medium in size, with class sizes typically in the 20s. This supports a warm, nurturing atmosphere where students are known well by teachers and encouraged to grow academically, socially and spiritually. The culture emphasises inclusivity, resilience and active participation in school life. 2. Academics & Learning - Academic strengths: English and literacy, numeracy, religious education, and the arts are core strengths, with opportunities to integrate STEM concepts across the curriculum. - Special programs: Gifted and Talented pathways, plus targeted support for students who benefit from extra literacy or numeracy assistance; ICT and digital learning embedded across classrooms. - NAPLAN trends: Consistent participation with steady progress over recent years, reflecting focused teaching strategies and targeted literacy/numeracy interventions. - Student-teacher ratios: Favorable ratios in line with primary schooling expectations (roughly around 1:18 for planning and small-group learning opportunities). - Support for diverse learners: Strong EAL (English as an Additional Language) support and inclusive education for students with additional learning needs (SEN), with personalised learning plans where appropriate. 3. Sports & Extracurricular Strengths - Sports offered: Cricket, football (soccer), basketball, netball, athletics, and minor codes as appropriate to the cohort. - Strong teams or achievements: Regular participation in local school sport events and inter-school competitions; emphasis on teamwork, fair play and skill development. - Music, arts, drama programs: Active music and performing arts program including choir, instrumental lessons and school productions; visual arts integrated across the curriculum. - Clubs: Robotics, chess, coding, debating and other enrichment clubs available to students. - Partnerships: Connections with local clubs and community programs to support competitions, coaching and opportunities beyond the classroom. 4. Wellbeing & Pastoral Care - Anti-bullying approach: Clear anti-bullying policies, restorative practices and a culture of respect; regular well-being lessons and student-led initiatives. - House system: House groups support collaboration, friendly competition and mentorship across year levels. - Counsellors / wellbeing officers: Access to school-based wellbeing staff to support social, emotional and behavioural needs. - Transition support for new students: Structured transition processes, orientation activities and peer buddy systems to help new students settle in smoothly. 5. Facilities - Sports grounds: On-site playing fields and courts suitable for a range of activities. - Libraries: School library with a diverse collection to promote reading for enjoyment and research. - Science labs: Dedicated science spaces for hands-on experiments and inquiry-based learning. - Music/performing arts centers: Facilities to support music, drama and production activities. - Tech/innovation labs: Digital labs and maker spaces to integrate technology and design thinking. - Cafeteria: On-site canteen offering healthy meal and snack options. - Updated playgrounds: Well-maintained play areas that encourage active play and exploration. 6. School Values & Community Culture - School values / mission: A faith-informed mission focusing on respect, responsibility, integrity and service to others. - Leadership style: Collaborative leadership with opportunities for student voice and teacher collaboration; strong pastoral care ethos. - Behaviour expectations: Clear codes of conduct rooted in respect, responsibility and community safety; consistent, fair discipline with restorative practices. - Community reputation: Positive reputation for a welcoming, inclusive atmosphere and supportive relationships among families, staff and parish communities. - Diversity & inclusion: Commitment to welcoming students from diverse backgrounds and ensuring accessible learning for all. 7. School Logistics & Daily Operations - School hours: Typical primary school day with start and finish times aligned to local schedules; consider slight variations by year level. - Before/after school care: Availability of before- and after-school care programs to support working families. - Uniform requirements: School uniform encouraged or required, with a sports uniform option for physical education and activities. - Transport (train/bus routes): Access via local transport options; school may coordinate with families on convenient pickup/drop-off arrangements. - Canteen availability: Canteen or canteen-style service offering healthy options throughout the day. - Fees (low/medium/high ranges): Fee levels represent a moderate investment for a Catholic primary school; precise figures vary by year and program and should be confirmed with the school. 8. Enrolment & Admissions 11. What is the enrolment process and timeline? - Submit an online or paper application with required documents (birth certificate, immunisation status, proof of residency, etc.). - Applications are reviewed, and short-listed applicants are invited for a family interview or information session. - Offers are made based on space availability, with a timeline that typically runs across a few months from application to placement. 12. Is there a waiting list, and how does it work? - Many Catholic primary schools maintain a waiting list when intake is full; priority is often given to siblings and parish/priority criteria. - Waiting lists are managed in order of application date and available space, with regular updates provided to families. 13. Are there any entry requirements, tests, or interviews? - Entry generally involves interviews or information sessions to understand student readiness, alongside standard documentation. - Some schools may request a short assessment or readiness check as part of the enrolment process; religious education commitments and family involvement may also be discussed. 14. Does the school accept mid-year transfers? - Mid-year transfers are possible if term and class space permit; families should apply and provide school transcripts, immunisation records and any relevant reports. - Transfer arrangements typically include a transition plan to support the student’s quick integration, including meeting teachers and potential buddy support. 9. Frequently Ask Questions - Why Parents Choose This School? This Catholic school offers a faith-centered learning community, strong pastoral care, engaging academics and a supportive environment that fosters individual growth and community involvement. - What type of student thrives at this school? Students who respond well to a nurturing, values-based education with opportunities for participation in sport, arts and community service tend to thrive here. - What opportunities are available for students to extend their skills (academics, sports, arts)? A range of enrichment options exists, including Gifted and Talented pathways, clubs (robotics, coding, debate), sports teams, music and performing arts programs. - How does the school communicate with parents? Regular newsletters, parent-teacher meetings, digital portals for assignments and progress updates, and open channels with teachers and leadership. - What is the school’s approach to teaching and learning? An integrated, child-centered approach combines core literacy and numeracy with faith-based values, inquiry-based learning and differentiated instruction. - How does the school support students who need extra academic help? Targeted literacy and numeracy support, small-group instruction, EAL/SEN support and tailored learning plans are available. - What support is available for academic challenges? Early intervention strategies, targeted tutoring, and ongoing progress monitoring to adjust instruction as needed. - How does the school communicate with parents? (Note: repeated; consolidated below) See above: regular updates, meetings, and digital platforms. - What are the class sizes and how much individual attention do students receive? Class sizes typically range in the low 20s, with opportunities for targeted small-group instruction and teacher-led support. - What extracurricular and sports opportunities are available? A broad program including team sports, music and performing arts, and clubs such as robotics, chess, coding and debating. - What facilities does the school offer (sports, science, arts)? Sports grounds, libraries, science labs, performing arts spaces, technology labs and a canteen are available. - What is the school’s approach to technology and digital learning? Integrated ICT across the curriculum, with teacher-guided use of digital tools, coding, and responsible use education. - What transport and accessibility options are available? Public transport connections and school-arranged options where possible; flexible drop-off/pick-up plans may be available. - What are the typical school fees or additional costs? Fees are structured for primary Catholic education with additional costs for activities or trips; exact amounts vary by year and program. 10. Short Pros & Cons list - Pros - Catholic values-based education with strong pastoral care - Small-to-medium school environment conducive to individual attention - Broad enrichment options: sport, arts, clubs, and leadership opportunities - Support for diverse learners: EAL and SEN services - Active community and parental involvement - Cons - Limited intake windows may mean waiting lists for certain year levels - Uniform and additional activity costs can add to overall expenses - Smaller school size may mean fewer intensive programs in some specialized areas compared with larger schools Note: Figures, programs and processes can vary by year and intake cycle. Please confirm current details with the school administration to ensure accuracy and up-to-date information.