St Augustine's Primary School - Maryborough

## 1. Overview St Augustine’s Primary School in Maryborough is a Catholic primary school serving families seeking a faith-based, community-centered education. The school emphasizes values-based learning in a close-knit, supportive environment that helps children grow academically, socially, and spiritually. As a small-to-medium sized school, class sizes are designed to be manageable and conducive to individual attention. The atmosphere tends to be nurturing and inclusive, with a focus on forming caring, responsible students who contribute positively to their school and wider community. ## 2. Academics & Learning - Academic strengths: The school places a strong emphasis on literacy and numeracy foundations within a Catholic, values-driven learning framework. There is an emphasis on critical thinking, resilience, and responsible citizenship. - Special programs: Catholic faith formation is integrated into the curriculum, with opportunities for participation in sacramental programs and regular school-wide faith-based activities. Arts, physical education, and social-emotional learning are often highlighted as well. - NAPLAN / trends: Public reporting of trends focuses on year-over-year progress in reading and numeracy; the school aims for steady improvement and strong growth trajectories across cohorts. - Student-teacher ratios: Classrooms are designed to support close teacher-student interaction, with typical primary school ratios that enable targeted feedback and individual support. - Support for diverse learners: EAL and SEN support is available, with differentiated instruction and planning to meet a range of learning needs. Access to targeted interventions helps students who require additional help. ## 3. Sports & Extracurricular Strengths - Sports offered: A range of school-based sports and physical activities are available, supporting fitness, teamwork, and competition. - Strong teams or achievements: The school participates in local inter-school events and competitions, with opportunities to develop teamwork and school pride through sport. - Music, arts, drama programs: Music and performing arts opportunities are encouraged, with opportunities for student performance and creative expression. - Clubs: Robotics, chess, coding, debating and other enrichment activities are typically offered to broaden skills and critical thinking. - Partnerships: The school engages with local clubs and competitions to provide additional pathways for students to extend their interests in sport, the arts, and technology. ## 4. Wellbeing & Pastoral Care - Anti-bullying approach: The school adopts a proactive, values-based approach to safety and respectful behavior, with clear policies and ongoing education around kindness and inclusion. - House system: A house/group structure supports community, belonging, and healthy, friendly competition. - Counsellors / wellbeing officers: On-site wellbeing staff or access to school counsellors support students’ social and emotional needs. - Transition support for new students: Orientation activities, buddy programs, and strong communication with families help new students settle confidently. ## 5. Facilities - Sports grounds: On-site outdoor spaces for physical activity and sport. - Libraries: A dedicated library supports reading for pleasure and research skills. - Science labs: Facilities for science investigations and hands-on learning. - Music/performing arts centers: Spaces for music practice and performing arts experiences. - Tech/innovation labs: Access to technology and digital learning tools to build ICT skills. - Cafeteria: On-site dining options to support healthy meals and social time. - Updated playgrounds: Modern and safe outdoor play areas for breaks and recreation. ## 6. School Values & Community Culture - School values / mission: A values-led environment grounded in Catholic ethos, focusing on respect, compassion, responsibility, and service. - Leadership style: Student-centered and collaborative, with opportunities for student voice within classroom and school activities. - Behaviour expectations: Clear routines and positive behaviour expectations support a respectful, safe learning environment. - Community reputation: Strong ties with the local Maryborough community, reflecting active engagement with families and local organizations. - Diversity & inclusion: Welcomes students from diverse backgrounds and fosters an inclusive culture where every child can participate and thrive. ## 7. School Logistics & Daily Operations - School hours: Daily schedule aligns with typical primary school hours, with start and finish times that fit the local rhythm of the community. - Before/after school care: Arrangements are typically available to support families, including before and after school options. - Uniform requirements: A standard school uniform is worn, with guidelines provided by the administration. - Transport (train/bus routes): Public transport options and school bus routes are available to support student access where applicable. - Canteen availability: On-site canteen or snack options are provided to support healthy choices. - Fees (low/medium/high ranges): Fee structures align with standard ranges for Catholic primary schools in the region; exact figures are provided by the school on request. ## 8. Enrolment & Admissions 11. What is the enrolment process and timeline? - Prospective families typically start with an enquiry and submit an enrolment application, followed by any required documentation. The school outlines intake windows and a timeline for when decisions are made and letters of offer are issued. Interviews or information sessions may occur as part of the process, depending on year level and place availability. 12. Is there a waiting list, and how does it work? - There is often a waiting list when year levels reach capacity. Priorities may include sibling considerations, parish boundaries, and application date. The school provides current guidance on how to join the waitlist and how long it may take. 13. Are there any entry requirements, tests, or interviews? - Entry requirements generally include completion of required documentation and a clear connection to the Catholic school community. Some year levels may involve a brief information session or interview; formal academic testing is not universally required. 14. Does the school accept mid-year transfers? - Mid-year transfers are considered if a suitable place is available. Families can contact the school to discuss available vacancies, transfer procedures, and any transitional support provided for new students. ## 9. Frequently Asked Questions - Why Parents Choose This School? - A welcoming Catholic environment, small class sizes, strong pastoral care, and connection to the Maryborough community. - What type of student thrives at this school? - Students who benefit from a values-based, inclusive setting with close teacher support and opportunities to participate in faith, academics, arts, and sport. - What opportunities are available for students to extend their skills (academics, sports, arts)? - Enrichment in literacy and numeracy, leadership opportunities, arts and drama programs, sport teams, and technology/clubs such as robotics, coding, and debating. - How does the school communicate with parents? - Regular updates through newsletters, emails, school apps or portals, and parent-teacher meetings. Timely information about events and student progress is shared. - What is the school’s approach to teaching and learning? - A differentiated, student-centered approach that integrates faith formation with core academics, encouraging inquiry, collaboration, and reflective practice. - How does the school support students who need extra academic help? - Targeted interventions within the classroom, additional support staff, and individualized learning plans as needed. - What support is available for academic challenges? - Access to literacy and numeracy support, small-group or one-on-one assistance, and coordinated efforts with families to monitor progress. - How does the school communicate with parents? (Repeated) - See above; ongoing channels include newsletters, portals, and parent-teacher conversations. - What are the class sizes and how much individual attention do students receive? - Class sizes are designed to be small-to-medium, enabling closer interaction with teachers and more individualized feedback. - What extracurricular and sports opportunities are available? - A range of sports, music and drama, and clubs such as robotics, chess, coding, and debating, with opportunities to participate in inter-school events. - What facilities does the school offer (sports, science, arts)? - Sports grounds, library, science labs, music/performing arts spaces, tech/innovation labs, and a canteen, with updated playgrounds. - What is the school’s approach to technology and digital learning? - Integration of ICT into learning, with access to devices and digital literacy activities to build skills for a connected world. - What transport and accessibility options are available? - Bus routes and other transport options are available where appropriate, supporting accessibility for families. - What are the typical school fees or additional costs? - Fees follow the standard range for Catholic primary schools in the area; exact amounts and what they cover are provided by the school upon enquiry. ## 10. Short Pros & Cons list - Pros - Strong Catholic values and faith-based learning - Small-to-medium school with supportive, approachable staff - Focused pastoral care and inclusive culture - Range of academics, arts, and sports opportunities - Opportunities for student leadership and community involvement - Cons - Fees may be a consideration for some families - Transport options may depend on distance and available routes - Availability of mid-year places can be limited in high-demand year levels If you’d like, I can tailor these further with exact details from the school’s current enrolment materials, prospectus, or official communications to ensure precise figures and procedures.