Sacred Heart Primary School - Cunnamulla

# Overview Sacred Heart Primary School in Cunnamulla is a Catholic co-educational primary school serving families in a rural Queensland setting. As a Catholic school, it emphasises faith-based education within a close-knit community. The school is small in size, fostering strong relationships between students, families, and staff, with class experiences designed to feel personalised and supportive. The atmosphere tends to be nurturing and inclusive, focusing on holistic development and a sense of belonging. Class sizes are typically small-to-medium, enabling close teacher-student interaction and personalised support. The school’s culture prioritises care, respect, and community involvement, with a shared commitment to helping students grow academically, socially, and spiritually. ⸻ # Academics & Learning - Academic strengths: Core literacy and numeracy, with emphasis on a well-rounded curriculum. Religious education is integrated as part of daily learning, alongside English, mathematics, science, and humanities. - Special programs: Opportunities for faith formation and enrichment within the Catholic school approach; potential targeted reading or maths support as needed. - NAPLAN / trends: Rural, small-cohort schools often experience stable or modest fluctuations year-to-year due to cohort size; trends typically reflect local population and enrolment numbers. - Student-teacher ratios: Generally small class sizes with strong teacher availability and support for individual students. - Support for diverse learners: Inclusive education practices with in-class support and targeted interventions; access to additional support services and referrals as required. ⸻ # Sports & Extracurricular Strengths - Sports offered: Common primary school options such as football (soccer), cricket, netball, athletics, and cross-country; programs reflect regional preferences and facilities. - Strong teams or achievements: Participation in local and regional events; emphasis on teamwork, fair play, and personal bests. - Music, arts, drama: Basic music and performing arts opportunities; celebration of student performances and assemblies. - Clubs: Possible robotics, coding, chess, and debating clubs depending on staff expertise and student interest. - Partnerships: Engagement with local community groups and regional sporting or cultural events for competitions and showcases. Most parents in rural Australia highlight the value of a school that supports ongoing participation in sport and arts, even when resources are modest. ⸻ # Wellbeing & Pastoral Care - Anti-bullying approach: Clear policies and a culture of respect, with pastoral care woven into daily routines and classroom expectations. - House system: A house grouping approach to foster belonging, healthy competition, and teamwork. - Counsellors / wellbeing officers: Access to school-based wellbeing support; referrals to external services as needed. - Transition support for new students: Welcoming programs and buddy systems to help new students settle in, with ongoing check-ins during transitions. ⸻ # Facilities - Sports grounds: On-site spaces for field and court activities, enabling a range of physical education and sport. - Libraries: A school library supporting literacy development and student research. - Science labs: Dedicated spaces for hands-on science learning (where available) or well-equipped science areas. - Music/performing arts centers: Facilities for music practice and performance activities. - Tech/innovation labs: Rooms or zones for technology-related learning and projects. - Cafeteria: On-site dining or snack facilities to support daily lunch provision. - Updated playgrounds: Age-appropriate outdoor play areas and equipment. ⸻ # School Values & Community Culture - School values / mission: A faith-based education emphasising Catholic values, character development, service, and community. - Leadership style: Primary emphasis on collaborative leadership with opportunities for student involvement in class and school activities. - Behaviour expectations: Clear codes of conduct centred on respect, responsibility, and kindness. - Community reputation: Well-regarded within the local community for a supportive, faith-focused learning environment. - Diversity & inclusion: Inclusive practices that welcome families from diverse backgrounds and encourage respectful, shared learning. ⸻ # School Logistics & Daily Operations - School hours: Regular school day structure with start and finish times typical of primary schools. - Before/after school care: Availability of supervision or wrap-around care options (subject to current offering). - Uniform requirements: School uniform policy with specified attire for everyday wear and sport. - Transport (train/bus routes): Local bus or transport arrangements may be provided or coordinated by families; check current routes and timetables. - Canteen availability: On-site or school-managed canteen or lunch options; sometimes food programs run on certain days. - Fees (low/medium/high ranges): Fees reflective of rural Catholic primary schools; consult current schedule for exact amounts and any additional costs. ⸻ # Enrolment & Admissions 11. What is the enrolment process and timeline? - Applications are typically submitted through the school’s admissions process within the published window. Timelines vary by year and intake priorities; contact the school for the latest dates and required documents (birth certificate, immunisation records, etc.). 12. Is there a waiting list, and how does it work? - Waiting lists can apply, especially in smaller schools. The school will advise on the process, length of wait, and any priority considerations (such as parish-based enrolment). 13. Are there any entry requirements, tests, or interviews? - Entry requirements may include documentation and confirmation of eligibility. Some or all of the following could apply: interview or meeting with the principal or enrolment officer, and review of prior school records; specific tests are not always required for primary-age entry. 14. Does the school accept mid-year transfers? - Mid-year transfers are possible depending on space and staffing; inquiries should be made with the school so they can confirm availability and the admission steps. ⸻ # Frequently Asked Questions - Why Parents Choose This School? Families value a close-knit, faith-based community with personalised attention, strong relationships with teachers, and a supportive environment for holistic growth. - What type of student thrives at this school? Students who value community, faith-inspired values, and a collaborative, respectful learning culture typically thrive here; those who respond well to small class sizes and individual support often do well. - What opportunities are available for students to extend their skills (academics, sports, arts)? Opportunities include core academic programs, potential enrichment in literacy and numeracy, participation in sports and clubs (e.g., chess, coding, debating where offered), and performances in music/arts. - How does the school communicate with parents? Regular channels such as newsletters, notices, parent-teacher meetings, and digital platforms are used to keep families informed about student progress and school events. - What is the school’s approach to teaching and learning? A balanced, faith-informed approach that prioritises literacy and numeracy, social-emotional learning, and hands-on, inclusive learning experiences. - How does the school support students who need extra academic help? In-class differentiation, targeted intervention, and access to additional support services as needed. - What support is available for academic challenges? Structured interventions, collaboration with families, and referrals to external services as appropriate to the student’s needs. - How does the school communicate with parents? (Repeat) See above: newsletters, meetings, phone and digital communications. - What are the class sizes and how much individual attention do students receive? Class sizes are small-to-medium, allowing for frequent teacher-check-ins, tailored feedback, and closer supervision. - What extracurricular and sports opportunities are available? Sport offerings typically include common primary-school activities; clubs such as robotics, coding, chess, and debating may be available depending on staff and resources. - What facilities does the school offer (sports, science, arts)? Facilities commonly include sports grounds, libraries, science spaces, music/arts areas, technology spaces, and a canteen. - What is the school’s approach to technology and digital learning? Integration of technology in learning, with opportunities for students to engage with digital tools and projects aligned to curriculum goals. - What transport and accessibility options are available? Local transport options (bus routes, school drop-offs) vary; families should confirm current arrangements with the school. - What are the typical school fees or additional costs? Fees reflect the rural Catholic primary school context; exact amounts and any additional costs should be obtained from the school’s current fee schedule. ⸻ # Short Pros & Cons list - Pros - Small-to-medium class sizes foster close teacher-student relationships - Strong sense of community and faith-based values - Supportive pastoral care and emphasis on wellbeing - Local, family-friendly environment with community ties - Cons - Fewer extracurricular options than larger urban schools due to size and location - Limited specialist facilities or staff compared with metropolitan schools - Transport and travel may be a consideration for families depending on location ⸻