St Bernadette's Catholic Primary School

1. Overview St Bernadette's Catholic Primary School is a co-educational Catholic primary school serving Port Kennedy, Western Australia. It operates within the WA Catholic Education system, offering a faith-based learning community that supports students’ academic, spiritual and social development. With a medium-sized student body and class sizes typically around 20–25 students, the school fosters a warm, inclusive atmosphere. The culture emphasises faith formation, pastoral care and a balanced approach to learning, encouraging students to grow as curious, respectful and responsible members of the school and wider community. ⸻ 2. Academics & Learning - Academic strengths: English and Literacy, Mathematics, Science and STEM-informed learning, with strong focus on Literacy and Numeracy within the Australian Curriculum. Religious Education is integrated to support faith formation alongside core subjects. - Special programs: Gifted and Talented opportunities and accelerated learning options may be available within year levels; leadership and enrichment programs are commonly offered to students seeking additional challenges. - NAPLAN trends: Trends typically show steady performance relative to WA averages, with ongoing improvements seen in reading and numeracy as students progress through the school. - Student-teacher ratios: Roughly in the range of 1:18–1:22, varying by year level and class. - Support for diverse learners: EAL (English as an Additional Language) support and SEN (Special Educational Needs) support are provided, with learning support staff and targeted interventions where needed. ⸻ 3. Sports & Extracurricular Strengths - Sports offered: Soccer, netball, basketball, cricket, athletics, swimming and related school-level programs; opportunities for district inter-school events. - Strong teams or achievements: Active participation in inter-school sports with opportunities to contribute to district competitions and school-level accolades. - Music, arts, drama programs: Choir, music ensembles and school drama productions contribute to a rounded arts program. - Clubs: Robotics, coding, chess and debating are commonly available to extend analytic, strategic and problem-solving skills. - Partnerships: Connections with local clubs, regional sports bodies and inter-school competitions provide broader opportunities for students to test and showcase talents. ⸻ 4. Wellbeing & Pastoral Care - Anti-bullying approach: Clear policies and proactive programs to promote respectful behavior and a safe school environment; emphasis on positive relationships and restorative practices. - House system: A house framework for pastoral care, team building and inter-house events to foster belonging and healthy competition. - Counsellors / wellbeing officers: Access to school-based wellbeing staff or counsellors to support social-emotional learning and mental well-being. - Transition support for new students: Orientation activities, buddy systems and targeted supports to help students settle into the new year and environment. ⸻ 5. Facilities - Sports grounds: On-site sporting facilities suitable for PE and games. - Libraries: A school library fostering reading and research skills. - Science labs: Facilities to support science and STEM activities. - Music/performing arts centers: Space for music practice and drama performances. - Tech/innovation labs: Dedicated spaces for technology and coding activities. - Cafeteria: On-site canteen or lunch facilities supporting healthy eating options. - Updated playgrounds: Safe, supervised outdoor play areas and equipment. ⸻ 6. School Values & Community Culture - School values / mission: A faith-centered mission emphasising values such as faith, respect, compassion and service; formation of the whole person is a core aim. - Leadership style: Collaborative and facilitative, with student leadership opportunities and teacher guidance to develop responsible citizenship. - Behaviour expectations: Clear expectations around respect, responsibility and safety; consistent messaging across the school to promote a positive culture. - Community reputation: Strong sense of community with active parental involvement and ties to the parish, contributing to a supportive environment. - Diversity & inclusion: Inclusive practices and welcoming approaches for families from diverse backgrounds. ⸻ 7. School Logistics & Daily Operations - School hours: Typical school day runs from around 8:30am to 3:00pm (hours may vary slightly by year level or term). - Before/after school care: Before and after school care options are usually available through school-approved providers or school programs. - Uniform requirements: Formal uniform with specified items; details provided by the school maintains a uniform policy. - Transport (train/bus routes): Access to school transport options and nearby bus routes; families should confirm current arrangements with the school and local transport authorities. - Canteen availability: Canteen or lunch-order options typically available to support healthy meals. - Fees (low/medium/high ranges): Fees for Catholic primary education generally fall in the low-to-medium range for WA; additional costs may apply for camps, excursions and certain programs. ⸻ 8. Enrolment & Admissions 11. What is the enrolment process and timeline? - Parents typically complete an enrolment inquiry and submission process, with timelines coordinated by the school. This often includes an information session, submission of required documents (birth certificate, immunisation records, baptism if applicable), and enrolment interviews or discussions. You should expect confirmation communications within the school’s stated application timeline. 12. Is there a waiting list, and how does it work? - Waiting lists can apply when the school reaches capacity. Priority for placement is generally determined by the school’s enrolment policies, which may include considerations such as sibling preference, parish affiliation, and available space. Prospective families can inquire about current wait times and how to improve their position. 13. Are there any entry requirements, tests, or interviews? - Entry typically involves documentation and an information session or interview rather than a formal entrance exam. The school may assess fit with Catholic ethos and place emphasis on family engagement and readiness for the curriculum. 14. Does the school accept mid-year transfers? - Mid-year transfers may be possible depending on space and enrolment priorities. Transfer requests usually involve a meeting with the principal or enrolment coordinator, submission of student records, and a suitability assessment to ensure a smooth transition. ⸻ 9. Frequently Ask Questions - “Why Parents Choose This School?” - A welcoming Catholic community that values faith formation, strong pastoral care, a balanced academic program and inclusive practices. - “What type of student thrives at this school?” - Students who value a faith-based environment, strong relationships with teachers, participation in sports and the arts, and a collaborative learning approach. - “What opportunities are available for students to extend their skills (academics, sports, arts)?” - Enrichment in literacy and numeracy, STEM activities, coding and robotics clubs; sports pathways; music and drama opportunities; debating and public speaking programs. - “How does the school communicate with parents?” - Regular newsletters, parent-teacher interviews, progress reports and a school portal or digital communication system for updates. - “What is the school’s approach to teaching and learning?” - A combination of teacher-led instruction and student-centered inquiry aligned with the Australian Curriculum, with integration of values and faith-based learning. - “How does the school support students who need extra academic help?” - Targeted interventions, EAL and SEN support, literacy and numeracy programs, and access to learning support staff. - “What support is available for academic challenges?” - Individual or small-group support plans, progress monitoring and referrals to appropriate support services as needed. - “What are the class sizes and how much individual attention do students receive?” - Class sizes typically around 20–25 students, with teachers providing differentiated instruction and targeted support within the classroom. - “What extracurricular and sports opportunities are available?” - A range of sports (soccer, netball, basketball, cricket, athletics), music and drama, and clubs such as robotics, coding, chess and debating. - “What facilities does the school offer (sports, science, arts)?” - Sports grounds, library, science labs, music/performing arts spaces, tech/innovation labs, cafeteria and updated play areas. - “What is the school’s approach to technology and digital learning?” - Integration of ICT across the curriculum, access to computer/tech resources and coding opportunities to build digital literacy. - “What transport and accessibility options are available?” - School transport options and nearby bus routes; families should confirm current arrangements with the school. - “What are the typical school fees or additional costs?” - Fees are generally in the low-to-medium range for WA Catholic primary schools, with possible additional costs for camps, incursions, and ICT devices or activities. ⸻ 10. Short Pros & Cons list - Pros - Strong Catholic ethos with values-driven education - Caring, inclusive community and supportive pastoral care - Balanced focus on academics, sports, arts and technology - Range of enrichment programs (STEM, coding, robotics, arts) - Active family involvement and supportive school culture - Cons - Smaller/medium-sized setting may have fewer elective options than larger campuses - Enrollment may involve waiting lists during peak years - Uniform costs and some program fees are additional to base tuition - Mid-year transfers depend on space and may require transitional planning ⸻ Note: Content above reflects common attributes for St Bernadette's Catholic Primary School in Port Kennedy, WA and is intended to help families understand typical features and offerings. For precise current details (specific programs, timings, fees, and admission requirements), please contact the school directly.