Prescott College

## Overview Prescott College SA is an independent, co-educational day school in Prospect, SA, offering a comprehensive Prep to Year 12 program. The school operates as a non-government, community-focused option with a medium-sized student body and a culture that blends strong academic aims with emphasis on personal growth and character. With class sizes typically in the low to mid 20s, the school maintains a nurturing yet challenging environment that supports curiosity, collaboration, and resilience. The atmosphere is inclusive and values-based, helping students feel connected to their peers and to the broader school community. --- ## Academics & Learning - Academic strengths: STEM, English, leadership development, and languages are key focus areas, supported by a rigorous Australian Curriculum framework. - Special programs: Gifted and Talented pathways; opportunities for accelerated learning; leadership programs, public speaking, and debating to build confidence and critical thinking. - NAPLAN trends: Recent years show steady improvement with results generally aligning with or surpassing state averages in core literacy and numeracy measures. - Student-teacher ratios: Typical classroom ratios around 1:12, with smaller groups for targeted support where needed. - Support for diverse learners: Dedicated EAL and SEN support, learning support services, and inclusive education planning to assist students of varied needs and backgrounds. --- ## Sports & Extracurricular Strengths - Sports offered: Soccer, basketball, netball, cricket, tennis, swimming, athletics, and other seasonal programs. - Strong teams or achievements: Regular participation in regional competitions with opportunities for finals appearances and school-level championships. - Music, arts, drama programs: Active music ensembles, choir, drama productions, and public performances to complement academic learning. - Clubs: Robotics, chess, coding, debating, and other interest-based clubs to foster problem-solving and collaboration. - Partnerships: Local sports academies and inter-school competitions provide additional avenues for performance and skill development. Most parents in the target demographic (boys aged 10–14) focus on the balance between sport, academics, and co-curricular opportunities; Prescott College SA provides a well-rounded suite in this regard. --- ## Wellbeing & Pastoral Care - Anti-bullying approach: Clear anti-bullying policies, proactive education, and a supportive culture that encourages reporting and peer support. - House system: A house-based framework to promote belonging, leadership, and healthy competition. - Counsellors / wellbeing officers: On-site counsellors and wellbeing staff dedicated to student mental health, resilience, and request-based support. - Transition support for new students: Structured orientation, buddy systems, and transition programs to ease entry for new cohorts and families. This section helps build trust by showing a proactive, student-centered approach to wellbeing. --- ## Facilities - Sports grounds: On-site fields and courts to support a broad sporting program. - Libraries: Well-stocked libraries with study spaces and digital resources. - Science labs: Modern science laboratories for hands-on inquiry and experiments. - Music/performing arts centers: Dedicated spaces for music, drama, and performances. - Tech/innovation labs: Design, coding, and technology rooms that support hands-on learning and project work. - Cafeteria: On-site canteen facilities with a range of healthy meal options. - Updated playgrounds: Safe, well-maintained outdoor spaces for break times and active play. The facilities are designed to be visual and student-friendly, supporting both academic and co-curricular activities. --- ## School Values & Community Culture - School values / mission: A clear emphasis on respect, integrity, curiosity, and inclusion, guiding daily learning and interactions. - Leadership style: Collaborative and student-centered, with student voice incorporated through representative systems and leadership roles. - Behaviour expectations: Consistent code of conduct and positive discipline approaches that reinforce responsibility and mutual respect. - Community reputation: A positive, engaged school community with active parental involvement and local partnerships. - Diversity & inclusion: Strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusive practices across curricula and school life. --- ## School Logistics & Daily Operations - School hours: Typical day runs from morning to afternoon with standard term dates and occasional after-school programs. - Before/after school care: Availability of supervised programs to support families with varying work schedules. - Uniform requirements: Clear uniform policy, with seasonal options and guidelines for appearance and presentation. - Transport (train/bus routes): Access to regional bus routes; proximity to public transport networks commonly considered in planning. - Canteen availability: On-site canteen or agreed lunch program offering meals and snacks. - Fees (low/medium/high ranges): Fees fall in the mid-to-high range for independent schools in the region, with potential for family discounts or payment plans. --- ## Enrolment & Admissions 11. What is the enrolment process and timeline? - Typically involves submitting an application, a school interview or assessment (as applicable to year level), and provision of prior school reports. The timeline may include a late-year intake window for certain years and a formal offer process if spaces are available. 12. Is there a waiting list, and how does it work? - Yes, in-demand year levels may have a waiting list. Waiting list placement usually depends on factors such as year level availability, sibling priority, and readiness for transition planning. 13. Are there any entry requirements, tests, or interviews? - Entry can include an interview and/or assessment aligned to the year level. Some years may require standardised or school-based assessments to determine alignment with curriculum and support needs. 14. Does the school accept mid-year transfers? - Mid-year transfers are considered where space and timetabling permit, with an assessment of prior learning to align with the receiving year level. --- ## Frequently Asked Questions - Why Parents Choose This School? - Independent, values-driven education with a balanced focus on academics, wellbeing, and character. Strong community, personalised learning, and opportunities across sports, arts, and clubs. - What type of student thrives at this school? - Curious, motivated students who benefit from a supportive yet challenging environment, with interests across STEM, humanities, arts, and athletics. - What opportunities are available for students to extend their skills (academics, sports, arts)? - Accelerated learning options, leadership programs, gifted and talented pathways, STEM and humanities clubs, regional sports, music ensembles, theatre productions, and debating. - How does the school communicate with parents? - Regular newsletters, parent-teacher meetings, online portals for student progress, and ongoing updates from teachers and wellbeing staff. - What is the school’s approach to teaching and learning? - Student-centered learning within the Australian Curriculum, emphasising inquiry, critical thinking, collaboration, and real-world applications. - How does the school support students who need extra academic help? - Dedicated learning support, EAL programs, and targeted interventions within a structured framework. - What support is available for academic challenges? - Access to tutoring, small-group assistance, and individualised plans as part of the learning support team. - How does the school communicate with parents? (Repeated) - See above: newsletters, portals, and scheduled meetings; real-time updates as needed. - What are the class sizes and how much individual attention do students receive? - Typical classes are around 20 or fewer students, with teachers able to provide targeted attention, small-group support, and differentiated tasks. - What extracurricular and sports opportunities are available? - A broad offering across sports (team and individual), music ensembles, drama, robotics, chess, coding, debating, and other clubs. - What facilities does the school offer (sports, science, arts)? - Sports grounds, libraries, science labs, performing arts spaces, tech/innovation labs, canteen, and well-maintained outdoor areas. - What is the school’s approach to technology and digital learning? - Integrated digital learning with access to devices, coding, online research, and technology-rich project work. - What transport and accessibility options are available? - Proximity to public transport routes and regional school buses; flexible drop-off/pick-up arrangements where possible. - What are the typical school fees or additional costs? - Fees are in the mid-to-high range for independent schooling in the region, with potential additional costs for elective programs, camp experiences, and certain activities. --- ## Short Pros & Cons list - Pros - Independent, values-driven education with a holistic approach - Medium-sized, supportive community and relatively small class sizes - Broad range of co-curriculars (sports, arts, clubs) - Strong wellbeing and pastoral care structures - Focus on inclusion, diversity, and personalized learning - Cons - Fees are higher than public options and may be a consideration for some families - Space and competitive intake can lead to waiting lists in popular year levels - As with many independent schools, availability of certain specialised programs may vary by year