St Anthony's Catholic School

# Overview St Anthony's Catholic School is a faith-based Catholic primary school located in Riverside, TAS. The school emphasizes a values-driven education within a welcoming, community-focused environment. It operates as a Catholic independent school with a small-to-medium size, fostering close relationships between students, teachers, and families. Class sizes are designed to be manageable (typically around 20–25 students per class), supporting individualized attention and a nurturing atmosphere where faith, learning, and character develop in tandem. The atmosphere is nurturing and inclusive, with a strong emphasis on academic growth, social responsibility, and participation in school life. Parents can expect a community that values collaboration, faith formation, and opportunities for students to contribute to the school and wider community. ⸻ # Academics & Learning - Academic strengths: Strong foundations in English and numeracy, with an emphasis on literacy and maths mastery. Religious education is integrated throughout the curriculum, alongside opportunities to explore STEM concepts, science inquiry, and critical thinking. - Special programs: Catholic faith formation and school-wide values programs; possible access to gifted/talented or accelerated learning opportunities where available; music and arts extensions may be offered through school activities and partnerships. - NAPLAN / Tasmanian trends: The school typically tracks student progress against state benchmarks, with emphasis on steady improvement in reading and numeracy over time. For exact trend data, refer to the school’s annual reports and official publications. - Student-teacher ratios: Class sizes are kept small-to-medium with favorable student-teacher ratios to support engaged learning and individual support (approximately in the range of 1:12–1:18, depending on year level). - Support for diverse learners: Inclusive education approach with support for diverse learners, including targeted literacy/numeracy assistance, and access to support for students needing extra help. EAL and SEN supports are provided where needed, in line with the school’s inclusive education framework. ⸻ # Sports & Extracurricular Strengths - Sports offered: Netball, soccer, Australian rules football (AFL), basketball, cricket, athletics, swimming and other school-based physical activities. - Strong teams or achievements: Active participation in interschool and district competitions with focus on team development, sportsmanship, and competitive spirit. - Music, arts, drama programs: School ensembles, choir or band opportunities, involvement in school productions and performing arts activities. - Clubs: Robotics, chess, coding, debating, and other interest-based clubs offered to broaden skills and curiosity. - Partnerships: Connections with local clubs, community organizations, and interschool events to extend competition opportunities and real-world learning experiences. ⸻ # Wellbeing & Pastoral Care - Anti-bullying approach: Strong emphasis on a safe, respectful school culture with clear anti-bullying policies and proactive wellbeing programs. - House system: A house-based framework promotes belonging, teamwork, and healthy competition across activities and events. - Counsellors / wellbeing officers: Access to on-site counselling or wellbeing staff to support students’ social-emotional needs and resilience. - Transition support for new students: Orientation activities, buddy programs, and targeted supports to help students settle in smoothly and build friendships. ⸻ # Facilities - Sports grounds: On-site athletics spaces and fields suitable for a range of sports and outdoor activities. - Libraries: Well-resourced library supporting reading and research across year levels. - Science labs: Dedicated science spaces for practical experiments and inquiry-based learning. - Music/performing arts centers: Facilities to support music, drama, and arts activities. - Tech/innovation labs: ICT and technology spaces for coding, robotics, and digital learning. - Cafeteria: On-site canteen or dining facilities supporting student meals and breaks. - Updated playgrounds: Modern playground areas and outdoor learning spaces for break times and physical activity. ⸻ # School Values & Community Culture - School values / mission: A faith-centered mission focusing on compassion, respect, responsibility, and service in daily learning and community life. - Leadership style: Collaborative and inclusive, with opportunities for student leadership and active family involvement. - Behaviour expectations: Clear behavioural guidelines aligned with the school’s values, promoting respectful, responsible, and kind conduct. - Community reputation: Strong sense of community within the school and local parish, with ongoing engagement between families and staff. - Diversity & inclusion: Welcoming environment that supports families from diverse backgrounds and fosters belonging for all students. ⸻ # School Logistics & Daily Operations - School hours: Typical school day runs from morning start to afternoon finish, with variations by year level. - Before/after school care: Available or facilitated through partnered programs or school-based options. - Uniform requirements: Standard school uniform policy with required attire and insignia consistent with Catholic school guidelines. - Transport (train/bus routes): Bus routes and transport options available to serve families in the Riverside area and surrounding communities. - Canteen availability: On-site or school community canteen providing meals and snacks during the day. - Fees (low/medium/high ranges): Fees are generally mid-range for Catholic primary education in Tasmania, with additional costs for uniforms, activities, and certain excursions. Specific fee schedules are published by the school each year. ⸻ # Enrolment & Admissions 11. What is the enrolment process and timeline? - Start by submitting an enrolment application to the school's admissions office, including required documents (child’s birth certificate, immunisation records, and proof of Catholic baptism or parish involvement if applicable). Timeline typically aligns with term starts, with applications open year-round but guidance provided for term-by-term intake. The school may hold information sessions or interviews as part of the process. 12. Is there a waiting list, and how does it work? - Waiting lists may apply when vacancies are limited. Priorities are determined by the school and parish guidelines, with consideration given to sibling attendance, Catholic family affiliation, and availability. The school will advise families of their position and expected timelines. 13. Are there any entry requirements, tests, or interviews? - Entry generally focuses on alignment with the school's Catholic ethos and readiness for primary education. Some years may include information sessions or brief interviews as part of the process; formal testing is not typically required for standard primary intake, though there may be assessments for gifted/talented pathways or support planning if needed. 14. Does the school accept mid-year transfers? - Mid-year transfers are possible if vacancies exist. Families seeking mid-year placement should contact the admissions team to discuss availability, transfer documentation, and transition support arrangements. ⸻ # Frequently Asked Questions - Why Parents Choose This School? - A values-based Catholic education with a strong sense of community, supportive pastoral care, and opportunities for faith formation alongside academics. - What type of student thrives at this school? - Students who are cooperative, respectful, curious, and engaged in both learning and community life, and who respond well to a caring, faith-inspired environment. - What opportunities are available for students to extend their skills (academics, sports, arts)? - A broad mix of academic support and extension where needed, sports teams and interschool competitions, music and performing arts programs, and clubs such as robotics, coding, chess, and debating. - How does the school communicate with parents? - Regular newsletters, a school information portal, parent-teacher meetings, and involvement through the P&F or community events. Digital platforms may be used to share updates and student progress. - What is the school’s approach to teaching and learning? - Student-centered and faith-informed instruction that emphasizes literacy and numeracy, inquiry-based learning, and inclusive practices to meet diverse learner needs. - How does the school support students who need extra academic help? - Targeted literacy and numeracy support, small-group or one-on-one interventions, and collaboration with families to plan learning adjustments. - What support is available for academic challenges? - Access to teachers, learning support staff, and wellbeing resources to address academic and social-emotional needs; referrals to external supports if required. - How does the school communicate with parents? - See above (regular updates via newsletters, portal, and meetings). - What are the class sizes and how much individual attention do students receive? - Class sizes are small-to-medium (approximately 20–25 students per class in primary), with teacher attention and differentiated instruction to support individual needs. - What extracurricular and sports opportunities are available? - A range of sports (netball, soccer, AFL, basketball, cricket, athletics), music/arts programs, and clubs like robotics, chess, coding, and debating. - What facilities does the school offer (sports, science, arts)? - Sports grounds, library, science labs, performing arts/music spaces, tech/innovation labs, canteen, and updated playgrounds. - What is the school’s approach to technology and digital learning? - Integrated ICT across the curriculum with access to computers/tablets, coding and robotics programs, and digital learning tools to support modern education. - What transport and accessibility options are available? - Bus routes and transport options available to serve the local area; accessibility considerations aligned with school facilities. - What are the typical school fees or additional costs? - Fees are mid-range for Catholic primary schools in Tasmania, with additional costs for uniforms, excursions, and some activities. Specific charges are published annually by the school. ⸻ # Short Pros & Cons list Pros - Strong, values-based Catholic education with a warm, community-focused culture - Small-to-medium class sizes enabling personalized attention - Comprehensive wellbeing and pastoral care - Broad range of co-curriculars across sport, arts, and clubs - Modern facilities and well-equipped learning spaces Cons - As a faith-based school, student enrollment may be influenced by Catholic connections or parish involvement - Fees and uniform costs, typical of non-public schools, may be higher than some public options - Availability of certain programs or clubs may vary by year and enrollment numbers - Mid-year transfers depend on vacancies and timely paperwork ⸻