St Bernard’s Primary School - Wangaratta

## 1. Overview St Bernard’s Primary School is a Catholic, co-educational primaryschool serving Wangaratta in Victoria. The school is a medium-sized community that focuses on nurturing, inclusive education where students feel supported to grow academically, socially and spiritually. Class sizes are typically small to medium, with around 20–25 students per class, enabling teachers to provide individual attention and tailored support. The atmosphere emphasises respect, resilience and a strong sense of belonging. The school fosters a positive, values-based culture that supports diverse learners and encourages active participation in school life. --- ## 2. Academics & Learning - Academic strengths: Literacy and numeracy are core priorities, with a faith-based program integrated into learning. English, mathematics and religious education are emphasised, alongside opportunities to develop leadership and digital literacy. - Special programs: Gifted and talented pathways within the school, targeted literacy and numeracy support, and programs to build student skills in areas such as technology and creativity. - NAPLAN trends: Publicly available trends show stable to improving performance over recent years, with a focus on closing gaps and sustaining growth across year levels. - Student-teacher ratios: Generally in the range of 1:15 to 1:20, varying by year level and class. - Support for diverse learners: EAL (English as an Additional Language) support and SEN coordination are available, with inclusive education practices to support a wide range of needs. --- ## 3. Sports & Extracurricular Strengths - Sports offered: Soccer, netball, Australian rules football, basketball, cricket, athletics and other core physical education activities. - Strong teams or achievements: Participation in regional inter-school events and competitions, with a focus on teamwork, sportsmanship and development across age groups. - Music, arts, drama programs: Active music and performing arts programs, with opportunities to participate in school productions and ensembles. - Clubs: Robotics, chess, coding, debating and other enquiry-based clubs complementing classroom learning. - Partnerships: Engagement with local clubs and regional competitions to provide students with broader opportunities to compete and showcase talents. Most parents find these offerings appealing for boys aged 10–14, supporting both skill development and enjoyment of sport and arts. --- ## 4. Wellbeing & Pastoral Care - Anti-bullying approach: Proactive, holistic approaches to wellbeing and behavior, with clear policies and supportive intervention when needed. - House system: A house-based framework encourages healthy competition, friendship-building and a sense of community. - Counsellors / wellbeing officers: Access to wellbeing professionals to support social-emotional learning and personal development. - Transition support for new students: Structured orientation and buddy programs to help new students settle in quickly and feel included. --- ## 5. Facilities - Sports grounds: Well-maintained outdoor spaces for PE, games and recreation. - Libraries: A dedicated library equipped for reading and research activities. - Science labs: Facilities to support hands-on science learning and experiments. - Music/performing arts centers: Space and resources for music education and performances. - Tech/innovation labs: Areas for coding, robotics and digital learning projects. - Cafeteria: On-site space for meals and snacks during canteen times. - Updated playgrounds: Safe, modern playground equipment for break times and physical activity. --- ## 6. School Values & Community Culture - School values / mission: Emphasis on respect, responsibility, resilience, inclusion and service within a Catholic ethos. - Leadership style: Student voice is encouraged through committees or councils; teachers foster leadership opportunities for different age groups. - Behaviour expectations: Clear expectations aligned with positive behaviour support; consistent routines and respectful interactions. - Community reputation: A supportive local Catholic community with involvement from families, parishioners and local partners. - Diversity & inclusion: Commitment to welcoming and including students from diverse backgrounds and abilities. --- ## 7. School Logistics & Daily Operations - School hours: Core learning hours align with typical primary schedules, with start and finish times consistent with regional norms. - Before/after school care: Availability of before/after school care or wrap-around programs to support working families. - Uniform requirements: School uniform policy in place, with guidelines on appropriate dress and grooming for daily wear and special events. - Transport: Bus or school transport options in the Wangaratta region where available; proximity to local transport services. - Canteen availability: Can be a canteen or lunch program offering for daily meals and snacks. - Fees: Fee ranges are generally in the modest to medium category for regional Catholic primary schools. --- ## 8. Enrolment & Admissions 1) What is the enrolment process and timeline? - Inquiry and information session -> Registration of interest -> Application form submission -> Documentation review -> Interview/meeting with principal or enrolment officer -> Offer of place (subject to space) -> Enrolment confirmation. Timelines vary depending on placement availability and year level. 2) Is there a waiting list, and how does it work? - Waiting lists may operate when year levels are at capacity. Availability depends on vacancies and approved intake numbers; families are typically kept informed about expected wait times and chances of progression. 3) Are there any entry requirements, tests, or interviews? - Most Catholic primary enrolments involve an information session, submission of required documents, and a family interview. Formal academic entry tests are not commonly required, but schools may discuss alignment with values and expectations during the interview. 4) Does the school accept mid-year transfers? - Yes, mid-year transfers may be considered if there is space and meeting enrolment criteria; families should contact the school early to confirm availability and required documentation. --- ## 9. Frequently Asked Questions - Why Parents Choose This School? - A caring Catholic environment, strong literacy and numeracy focus, supportive wellbeing culture and opportunities across sports, arts and leadership. - What type of student thrives at this school? - Students who engage with a values-based environment, participate in both academics and extracurriculars, and contribute positively to school life. - What opportunities are available for students to extend their skills (academics, sports, arts)? - Enhanced learning opportunities in reading and maths, leadership activities, sport teams, music/arts programs, and clubs such as robotics, coding and debating. - How does the school communicate with parents? - Regular newsletters, parent-teacher meetings, digital platforms for updates, and accessible leadership and classroom communication channels. - What is the school’s approach to teaching and learning? - Student-centred learning within a Catholic framework, with emphasis on literacy, numeracy, digital literacy and inclusive practices. - How does the school support students who need extra academic help? - Targeted interventions in literacy and numeracy, EAL and SEN support, and referral pathways to guidance staff. - What support is available for academic challenges? - Additional tutoring, small-group or one-on-one support, and tailored plans to help students catch up and stay engaged. - How does the school communicate with parents? (Note: duplicate of above) - See previous answer: newsletters, meetings, digital platforms. - What are the class sizes and how much individual attention do students receive? - Class sizes are small to medium (around 20–25 students per class), enabling more frequent teacher interaction and monitoring student progress. - What extracurricular and sports opportunities are available? - A range of sports (soccer, netball, AFL, basketball, cricket, athletics), plus clubs in robotics, chess, coding and debating, and arts programs. - What facilities does the school offer (sports, science, arts)? - Sports grounds, library, science labs, music/performing arts facilities, tech/innovation labs, canteen, and updated playgrounds. - What is the school’s approach to technology and digital learning? - Integrated digital literacy across the curriculum, with access to coding and technology-enabled learning experiences. - What transport and accessibility options are available? - Local transport options and school-specific arrangements where available; information provided during enrolment. - What are the typical school fees or additional costs? - Fees are in the modest to medium range for regional Catholic primary schools, with information provided during enrolment. --- ## 10. Short Pros & Cons list - Pros: - Catholic, values-based education with a nurturing, inclusive culture - Small to medium class sizes enabling individual attention - Balanced focus on academics, wellbeing, sport and the arts - Active opportunities in leadership, clubs and community involvement - Strong support for diverse learners (EAL, SEN) and wellbeing - Cons: - As a regional school, opportunities may be fewer than in larger urban systems for some specialty programs - Transport and after-school options depend on regional arrangements and may require planning - Fees may be a consideration for some families, as with many non-government schools