## Overview
St Anthony's Parish School, Wanniassa is a Catholic, co-educational primary school serving families in Canberra's ACT region. The school emphasises faith-informed learning in a nurturing, inclusive environment and aims to support students to grow academically, socially and morally. Class sizes are small to medium, allowing for personalised attention and strong teacher-student relationships. The atmosphere is characterised by care, community involvement and a clear focus on values alongside academics.
Key traits:
- School type: Catholic primary school
- School size: small to medium
- Class size: typically in the low 20s
- Atmosphere/culture: nurturing, inclusive, faith-based, supportive
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## Academics & Learning
St Anthony's places a solid emphasis on core academic skills while embedding values-based education. Students generally experience strength in literacy and numeracy, with opportunities to develop leadership, critical thinking and collaboration.
Academic strengths:
- Literacy and numeracy, with a focus on comprehension, writing and mathematical reasoning
- Religious education and ethical development
- Leadership development and student voice
Special programs:
- Gifted and talented/accelerated opportunities where available
- Language studies (e.g., French or Indonesian) as part of a broader curriculum
- Enrichment and capability-building activities embedded in classroom learning
NAPLAN / trends:
- Consistent year-to-year growth in reading, writing and numeracy; steady progress across cohorts
- Positive trends showing students building foundational skills at key year levels
Student-teacher ratios:
- Class sizes in the low 20s are common, supporting a favorable student-teacher interaction
- Overall student-teacher ratios aligned with a supportive learning environment
Support for diverse learners:
- EAL (English as an Additional Language) support
- SEN (Special Educational Needs) supports and inclusive education practices
- Access to targeted interventions and learning support as needed
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## Sports & Extracurricular Strengths
This is a key area for many families, with a balanced mix of sport, arts and clubs.
Sports offered:
- Netball, basketball, soccer (football), athletics, cricket and Australian rules football are commonly supported
- Opportunities for inter-school events and local competitions
Strong teams or achievements:
- Regular participation in inter-school sports events with a focus on teamwork and sportsmanship
Music, arts, drama programs:
- Music ensembles and performing arts activities
- Opportunities to participate in school plays and showcases
Clubs:
- Robotics, coding, chess, debating and other interest-based clubs are typically available
Partnerships:
- Links with local clubs and regional competitions to broaden participation and competition
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## Wellbeing & Pastoral Care
Wellbeing is a high priority, with systems in place to foster a safe and supportive school life.
Anti-bullying approach:
- Proactive anti-bullying programs and a clear reporting framework
- Emphasis on respectful behaviour, kindness and restorative approaches
House system:
- House groups provide structure for intra-school events, sharing leadership opportunities and fostering community
Counsellors / wellbeing officers:
- Access to school-supplied wellbeing staff or counsellors as part of pastoral care
Transition support for new students:
- Orientation activities, buddy systems and gradual familiarisation to ease transitions
- Clear communication with families during entry periods
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## Facilities
Facilities are designed to support a broad, engaging curriculum and a vibrant school life.
- Sports grounds and multi-use play spaces
- Library and reading areas
- Science labs for practical inquiry
- Music and performing arts spaces
- Tech/innovation labs or makerspace facilities
- Canteen or school-wide food service area
- Updated playgrounds and outdoor learning spaces
Visuals are used to create an inviting environment that supports learning across all subject areas.
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## School Values & Community Culture
Families often look for a school with a strong sense of values and a welcoming community culture.
School values / mission:
- Faith-inspired learning, with emphasis on respect, integrity, compassion and service
- Mission aligned with Catholic identity and community involvement
Leadership style:
- Collaborative and student-involved leadership opportunities
- Emphasis on accountability, respect and shared responsibility
Behaviour expectations:
- Clear behavioural expectations underpinned by restorative practices and pastoral support
Community reputation:
- Positive reputation for caring staff, family engagement and inclusive practices
Diversity & inclusion:
- Welcome for families from diverse backgrounds and backgrounds of faith
- Active commitment to inclusive education and equitable access to learning opportunities
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## School Logistics & Daily Operations
Practical, quick-access details families often need.
- School hours: standard daytime schedule with clear start and finish times
- Before/after school care: typically available or facilitated through on-site or partner programs
- Uniform requirements: formal uniform with specified items for daily wear and events
- Transport (bus routes): bus services usually available or coordinated with local networks
- Canteen availability: canteen or lunch program providing healthy options
- Fees (low/medium/high ranges): generally in the low to medium range for primary Catholic schools; occasional family contributions for activities or excursions
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## Enrolment & Admissions
What families typically want to know about getting a place at St Anthony's.
11. What is the enrolment process and timeline?
- Applications are usually invited prior to the start of each school year; timelines may include an initial expression of interest, submission of required documents, and a confirmation of enrolment. Interview or information sessions may be part of the process.
12. Is there a waiting list, and how does it work?
- There may be a waiting list when intake capacity is reached. Applications are typically placed on a waitlist and processed as spaces become available, prioritising siblings and parish/family considerations where applicable.
13. Are there any entry requirements, tests, or interviews?
- Primary school entry typically does not involve entrance exams. An information interview or meeting with the principal or admissions team is common, along with documentation such as birth certificates and immunisation records.
14. Does the school accept mid-year transfers?
- Mid-year transfers are often possible subject to space in the year level and completion of the standard enrolment process, with transitional support for the student.
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## Frequently Ask Questions
- Why Parents Choose This School?
- A values-driven Catholic education that emphasises faith, community, and strong academic foundations in a nurturing environment.
- What type of student thrives at this school?
- Students who value collaborative learning, respectful behaviour, and opportunities to participate in faith-based activities, sports and clubs.
- What opportunities are available for students to extend their skills (academics, sports, arts)?
- Enrichment in literacy/numeracy, leadership opportunities, language study, sports teams, music and performing arts, robotics, coding and debating clubs.
- How does the school communicate with parents?
- Regular newsletters, parent-teacher meetings, online portals for assignments and attendance, and briefings around events and developments.
- What is the school’s approach to teaching and learning?
- A focus on foundational skills in literacy and numeracy, integrated faith education, and learning that supports inquiry, collaboration and student voice.
- How does the school support students who need extra academic help?
- Targeted interventions, EAL and SEN support, small-group instruction and ongoing progress monitoring.
- What support is available for academic challenges?
- Access to tutors or classroom adjustments, alongside specialist support staff and teacher collaboration to tailor learning plans.
- How does the school communicate with parents? (duplicate)
- See above: newsletters, portals, meetings, and event communications.
- What are the class sizes and how much individual attention do students receive?
- Class sizes are typically in the low 20s, enabling more frequent teacher-student interaction and personalised feedback.
- What extracurricular and sports opportunities are available?
- A broad range of sports (netball, basketball, soccer, athletics, cricket), music and drama, plus clubs such as robotics, coding, chess and debating.
- What facilities does the school offer (sports, science, arts)?
- Comprehensive facilities including sports grounds, library, science labs, music/performing arts spaces, technology makerspaces and well-equipped classrooms.
- What is the school’s approach to technology and digital learning?
- Emphasis on safe, age-appropriate use of technology to support learning, with digital literacy integrated into the curriculum and appropriate safeguarding measures.
- What transport and accessibility options are available?
- Local transport options and accessible facilities; details typically provided during enrollment information.
- What are the typical school fees or additional costs?
- Fees fall in the low to medium range for primary Catholic schools, with possible additional costs for excursions, activities or special programs.
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## Short Pros & Cons list
- Pros:
- Catholic, values-based education with a nurturing and inclusive environment
- Small to medium class sizes enabling personalised attention
- Strong emphasis on literacy, numeracy and faith formation
- Wide range of extracurricular activities and clubs
- Supportive wellbeing and pastoral care with a house system
- Cons:
- Religious environment may not align with all families’ beliefs
- Smaller school size may mean fewer, or more selective, specialist programs compared with larger schools
- Transport options may depend on location and availability
