Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School

1. Overview Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School is a Catholic primary school serving families in Terrigal, NSW. As a faith-based, community-focused school, it emphasises values, service, and academic growth in a nurturing environment. The school operates as a small-to-medium-sized campus designed to support individual students while fostering strong community connections. - School type: Catholic - School size: Small to medium - Class size: Typically around 20–25 students per class - Atmosphere/culture: Nurturing, inclusive, academic, values-driven 2. Academics & Learning The school prioritises a balanced, faith-informed approach to learning with a focus on foundational literacy and numeracy, digital literacy, and a broad curriculum. - Academic strengths: Literacy and numeracy, STEM/Science exploration, leadership development, and language exposure through core curriculum and enrichment programs - Special programs: Gifted and Talented opportunities, accelerated learning options where appropriate, and regular faith formation supported by the Catholic Education framework - NAPLAN / trends: Steady improvement and positive trends in literacy and numeracy over recent years within the local context - Student-teacher ratios: Typical classroom ratio around 1:18–1:22, with additional learning support as needed - Support for diverse learners: EAL support and targeted SEN/learning support available through a dedicated learning support team 3. Sports & Extracurricular Strengths This area is a strong focus for many Australian families and is well-supported at the school. - Sports offered: Rugby (varying by season), soccer, netball, cricket, athletics, and general fitness programs - Strong teams or achievements: Participation in district/inter-school competitions and school-wide teams that emphasise teamwork and personal growth - Music, arts, drama programs: Active music and drama activities with performance opportunities; visual arts programs - Clubs: Robotics, coding, chess, debating, and other enrichment clubs available - Partnerships: Connections with local community clubs and competitions to extend opportunities beyond the classroom 4. Wellbeing & Pastoral Care Wellbeing is a central priority, with a supportive framework to help students thrive academically and personally. - Anti-bullying approach: Proactive, whole-school anti-bullying strategies and respectful conduct expectations - House system: House groups contribute to a sense of belonging, teamwork, and positive competition - Counsellors / wellbeing officers: Access to wellbeing staff and counselling support as needed - Transition support for new students: Structured programs to help new students settle in and feel connected 5. Facilities The school provides welcoming, functional spaces designed to support learning and development. - Sports grounds: Outdoor courts and fields for physical education and sport - Libraries: Central library with resources for reading and research - Science labs: Equipped spaces for hands-on experiments and inquiry - Music/performing arts centers: Dedicated spaces for music, drama, and performances - Tech/innovation labs: Resources for digital literacy, coding, and STEM activities - Cafeteria: On-site canteen or food service for break times - Updated playgrounds: Safe, modern outdoor play areas 6. School Values & Community Culture The school promotes a values-based culture grounded in faith, respect, and inclusion. - School values / mission: Faith-informed education emphasising compassion, honesty, responsibility, and service - Leadership style: Collaborative and inclusive; opportunities for student leadership and voice - Behaviour expectations: Clear conduct expectations aligned with school values and pastoral care - Community reputation: Welcoming, supportive community with active parental involvement - Diversity & inclusion: Commitment to welcoming students from diverse backgrounds and abilities 7. School Logistics & Daily Operations Practical information to help families plan around school days and routines. - School hours: Traditional school day with start and finish times consistent with local calendars - Before/after school care: Available through approved external providers or school programs - Uniform requirements: Standard school uniform with approved styles and logos; details provided by the school - Transport (train/bus routes): Local bus transportation options where available - Canteen availability: Canteen or snack facilities for students - Fees (low/medium/high ranges): Fees aligned with Catholic education sector norms; financial assistance and information on payment options available 8. Enrolment & Admissions 11. What is the enrolment process and timeline? - Parents typically submit an application during the intake period, with available places announced according to the school’s admissions timeline. Open days or information sessions are often held for prospective families. The process usually includes submission of required documents and a confirmation of placement. 12. Is there a waiting list, and how does it work? - If the number of applicants exceeds places, a waiting list is used. Waiting list position is usually determined by the order of application and may consider siblings, parish affiliation, and other factors as defined by the school or diocese. 13. Are there any entry requirements, tests, or interviews? - Entry may involve an interview or conversation with the family and student to understand fit with the school’s values and environment. Academic testing is not always required for primary entry, but some cases may involve basic assessments as part of the admissions process. 14. Does the school accept mid-year transfers? - Mid-year transfers are considered based on available vacancies and alignment with grade placement. Families interested in mid-year transfers should contact the school early to discuss options and required documentation. 9. Frequently Ask Questions - Why Parents Choose This School? Parents often choose a Catholic school for values-based education, sense of community, pastoral care, and a balance of academics, faith, and extracurriculars. - What type of student thrives at this school? Students who respond well to a supportive, inclusive environment with emphasis on literacy, numeracy, faith formation, and participation in a range of activities tend to thrive. - What opportunities are available for students to extend their skills (academics, sports, arts)? Opportunities include enrichment programs in literacy/numeracy, STEM and coding clubs, gifted/talented options where available, sports teams, music and drama, and debating or robotics clubs. - How does the school communicate with parents? Regular communications via newsletters, emails, school portal, parent-teacher meetings, and timely updates on events and student progress. - What is the school’s approach to teaching and learning? A balanced, student-centered approach with faith-informed values, a focus on foundational skills, differentiated learning, and opportunities for hands-on inquiry and collaboration. - How does the school support students who need extra academic help? Targeted learning support and interventions are available through a dedicated support team, with classroom adaptations and referrals as needed. - What support is available for academic challenges? Access to additional tutoring, small-group or one-on-one support, and collaboration with families to implement effective strategies at home and school. - How does the school communicate with parents? (Duplicate) See above: newsletters, emails, portals, meetings, and updates. - What are the class sizes and how much individual attention do students receive? Class sizes are typically around 20–25 students, with teachers able to provide targeted instruction and small-group support as part of the learning framework. - What extracurricular and sports opportunities are available? A range of sports (in-season and inter-school activities), music and drama, robotics, coding, chess, debating, and other clubs depending on term offerings. - What facilities does the school offer (sports, science, arts)? Sports grounds, library, science labs, performing arts spaces, tech/innovation labs, and canteens. - What is the school’s approach to technology and digital learning? Emphasis on digital literacy, integrated technology use in lessons, and opportunities to engage with coding and innovative learning tools. - What transport and accessibility options are available? Local bus routes and transport options where available; accessibility considerations are part of school planning. - What are the typical school fees or additional costs? Fees align with local Catholic education sector norms; information on tuition, uniforms, excursions, and other costs is provided by the school and available on request. 10. Short Pros & Cons list Pros - Strong sense of community and values-based education - Supportive staff and pastoral care - Balanced focus on academics, faith, and extracurriculars - Inclusive environment with attention to diverse learners - Clear communication with families Cons - Smaller-to-medium school size may mean fewer specialist facilities than larger independent schools - Availability of certain niche programs can vary by year or cohort - Transport options depend on local routing; some families may require multiple arrangements If you’d like, I can tailor any section with more precise details or adjust tone to suit a specific audience.