## 1. Overview
St Brigid's Catholic School in Wynyard is a Catholic, community-focused school offering a nurturing educational environment within a small-town setting. The school emphasizes faith-based learning, close teacher–student relationships, and strong ties with families and local communities.
With small to medium class groups and a culture of support, students benefit from individualized attention and a positive, inclusive atmosphere. The school prioritizes collaboration, respect, and service, helping students develop academically and personally within a faith-informed context.
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## 2. Academics & Learning
- Academic strengths: Strong emphasis on literacy and numeracy, with integrated STEM and faith-informed learning to support well-rounded development. The school aims to develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication.
- Special programs: Catholic Education Tasmania programs underpin religious education, leadership development, and opportunities for community service. Access to school-wide initiatives and targeted learning supports through the Catholic education network is available.
- NAPLAN / trends: Consistent results with positive year-to-year trends in key areas such as reading and numeracy, aligned with state benchmarks and local school improvements.
- Student-teacher ratios: Small class sizes enable more individualized feedback and support, aiding students to progress at their own pace.
- Support for diverse learners: Inclusive education with access to learning support staff, targeted interventions, and resources for students requiring EAL or SEN support.
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## 3. Sports & Extracurricular Strengths
- Sports offered: Netball, football (AFL-style), soccer, cricket, athletics, and swimming programs commonly featured, with opportunities to participate in inter-school events.
- Strong teams or achievements: Active participation in district and inter-school competitions; emphasis on teamwork, sportsmanship, and personal bests.
- Music, arts, drama programs: School ensembles, choir, performances, and drama activities that showcase student creativity.
- Clubs: Robotics, chess, coding, debating, and other technology or academic clubs are available to extend learning beyond the classroom.
- Partnerships: Local community clubs and inter-school partnerships support events, competitions, and collaborative learning experiences.
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## 4. Wellbeing & Pastoral Care
- Anti-bullying approach: Clear anti-bullying policies, student support programs, and a culture of respect and safety for all students.
- House system: A house structure fosters belonging, healthy competition, leadership roles, and peer mentoring throughout the year.
- Counsellors / wellbeing officers: Access to school wellbeing staff or counsellors to support student mental health, resilience, and personal development.
- Transition support for new students: Orientation activities, buddy systems, and targeted acclimatisation programs to help new students settle in smoothly.
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## 5. Facilities
- Sports grounds: On-site playing fields and outdoor spaces for physical education and recreation.
- Libraries: A school library with access to books and learning resources.
- Science labs: Dedicated space for practical science learning and experiments.
- Music/performing arts centers: Facilities for music, drama, and performances.
- Tech/innovation labs: ICT resources and digital learning spaces to support coding and technology projects.
- Cafeteria: On-site canteen or lunch facilities offering healthy options.
- Updated playgrounds: Safe, age-appropriate play spaces and outdoor equipment.
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## 6. School Values & Community Culture
- School values / mission: A faith-centered mission focusing on compassion, respect, responsibility, and service to others.
- Leadership style: Student voice and leadership opportunities supported by a collaborative approach from staff and families.
- Behaviour expectations: Positive behaviour frameworks that emphasize courtesy, accountability, and integrity.
- Community reputation: Strong reputation within the local Catholic and broader Wynyard community for values-based education and family involvement.
- Diversity & inclusion: Welcoming environment for diverse families, with practices that promote inclusion and belonging for all students.
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## 7. School Logistics & Daily Operations
- School hours: Regular day structure with start and finish times appropriate to the primary school program; occasional after-school activities may run post-school hours.
- Before/after school care: Availability of supervised care before and after school through an approved program.
- Uniform requirements: Standard school uniform with expected dress code, including seasonal adjustments and hat policy for sun protection.
- Transport (train/bus routes): Bus routes and school transport options typically available for surrounding areas; coordination with local transport services.
- Canteen availability: On-site or school-supported canteen with options for healthy lunches and snacks.
- Fees (low/medium/high ranges): Fees are moderate within the Tasmanian Catholic education system, with transparency around standard charges and potential additional costs for activities or excursions.
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## 8. Enrolment & Admissions
11. What is the enrolment process and timeline?
- Inquiry and information sessions are usually available for prospective families. Applications are submitted with required documentation, followed by any school-specific steps (e.g., interviews or information meetings) and a proposed intake timeline aligned with the school year.
12. Is there a waiting list, and how does it work?
- If the school reaches capacity, a waiting list may operate. Priority can be given to siblings or Catholic families per policy, with positions offered as space becomes available.
13. Are there any entry requirements, tests, or interviews?
- Entry typically involves age and residency eligibility, with possible informal discussions or short interviews to understand student needs and fit with the school community. Formal academic testing is not typically required for primary entry.
14. Does the school accept mid-year transfers?
- Mid-year transfers are possible, subject to space and a streamlined enrolment process to ensure a smooth transition for the student.
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## 9. Frequently Asked Questions
- Why Parents Choose This School?
- Families value the Catholic ethos, close-knit community, strong teacher–student relationships, and a supportive environment that encourages faith, learning, and service.
- What type of student thrives at this school?
- Students who enjoy a faith-informed, inclusive, collaborative setting with opportunities to participate in sports, clubs, and arts thrive here.
- What opportunities are available for students to extend their skills (academics, sports, arts)?
- Students can engage in literacy and numeracy programs, STEM activities, coding and robotics clubs, debating, music and drama, and inter-school sports.
- How does the school communicate with parents?
- Regular communications via newsletters, emails, parent-teacher meetings, and school apps or portals. An open-door approach encourages parent engagement.
- What is the school’s approach to teaching and learning?
- Student-centered, differentiated learning that integrates faith education, with emphasis on literacy, numeracy, inquiry-based learning, and real-world applications.
- How does the school support students who need extra academic help?
- In-class differentiation, targeted small-group support, and access to learning support staff and resources through the school and Catholic Education Tasmania.
- What support is available for academic challenges?
- Individual learning plans, targeted interventions, and collaboration with families and specialists to help students stay on track.
- How does the school communicate with parents? (Duplicate)
- See above: regular updates, meetings, and accessible channels for ongoing dialogue.
- What are the class sizes and how much individual attention do students receive?
- Class sizes are small to medium, enabling frequent teacher feedback and individualized attention to support each student’s progress.
- What extracurricular and sports opportunities are available?
- A range of sports (netball, soccer, football, cricket, athletics), plus music, drama, and clubs such as robotics, chess, coding, and debating.
- What facilities does the school offer (sports, science, arts)?
- Sports grounds, library, science labs, music/performing arts spaces, ICT/tech labs, canteen, and updated playgrounds.
- What is the school’s approach to technology and digital learning?
- Integrated ICT and digital literacy across the curriculum, with safe and age-appropriate use of technology and coding opportunities.
- What transport and accessibility options are available?
- School transport options via local bus services and transport partnerships; accessible drop-off and collection arrangements.
- What are the typical school fees or additional costs?
- Fees are moderate within the Tasmanian Catholic system, with clear information on uniforms, excursions, and activity costs; some financial support may be available.
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## 10. Short Pros & Cons list
- Pros
- Strong Catholic ethos and values-based education
- Small to medium class sizes enabling personalized attention
- Supportive, inclusive community with a focus on wellbeing
- Broad range of extracurriculars (sport, arts, clubs)
- Safe, family-friendly town setting with strong local networks
- Cons
- Smaller school may offer fewer course options than larger schools
- Limited mid-year intake availability depending on enrolments
- Transport options primarily within the local catchment area (may require longer travel for some families)
- Resources and facilities may differ from larger metropolitan schools in some specialised areas
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