St Brigid's College

## 1. Overview (1–2 paragraphs max) St Brigid's College is a Catholic independent day school for girls, located in Lesmurdie, Western Australia. It offers a comprehensive secondary education with a focus on academic achievement, faith formation and strong pastoral care. The school aims to develop confident, community-minded young women who are prepared for tertiary study, vocational pathways and responsible citizenship. The college is a medium-sized school with a welcoming, supportive atmosphere. Class sizes are designed to enable close teacher-student engagement, collaborative learning and personalised feedback. The culture emphasises inclusivity, resilience and a balanced approach to academics, faith, sport and the arts. --- ## 2. Academics & Learning - Academic strengths: English, STEM, leadership development and languages are key focus areas, with pathways geared toward ATAR outcomes and broader learning. - Special programs: Accelerated/extension opportunities and gifted/talented pathways; access to broader learning experiences and possible vocational education and training options. - NAPLAN / trends: Positive progression with outcomes that typically sit at or above state averages overall, with a focus on improving literacy and numeracy across cohorts. - Student-teacher ratios: Small to medium class sizes supporting ample teacher interaction and personalised feedback. - Support for diverse learners: Dedicated support for diverse learners, including EAL and SEN support, learning support staff, and individual education planning where appropriate. --- ## 3. Sports & Extracurricular Strengths - Sports offered: Netball, basketball, football (soccer), hockey, athletics, swimming, tennis and cross-country are commonly available, with opportunities for inter-school competition. - Strong teams or achievements: Competitive interschool teams and a track record of participation in regional championships; emphasis on teamwork, discipline and personal bests. - Music, arts, drama programs: Active music ensembles, choir and drama programs complemented by school productions and performance opportunities. - Clubs: Robotics, chess, coding, debating and public-speaking clubs are typical, with student leadership and project-based activities. - Partnerships: Connections with local clubs, academies and regional competitions to broaden experiences beyond the classroom. --- ## 4. Wellbeing & Pastoral Care - Anti-bullying approach: Clear anti-bullying policies with confidential reporting, restorative practices and a strong emphasis on respectful relationships. - House system: House groups support pastoral care, competition, mentorship and community belonging. - Counsellors / wellbeing officers: On-site counselling and wellbeing staff to support mental health, resilience and transition needs. - Transition support for new students: Orientation programs, buddy systems, and targeted transition support to help new students settle in. --- ## 5. Facilities - Sports grounds: Access to well-maintained sports fields and courts for training and fixtures. - Libraries: Modern libraries with resources for study, research and quiet reading. - Science labs: Well-equipped laboratories for science classes and experiments. - Music/performing arts centers: Dedicated spaces for music practice, ensembles and drama performances. - Tech/innovation labs: Practical spaces for STEM, coding and innovation projects. - Cafeteria: On-site dining facilities with healthy meal options. - Updated playgrounds: Safe, functional spaces for recreation and break times. --- ## 6. School Values & Community Culture - School values / mission: Faith-driven education focused on respect, service, integrity, compassion and personal growth. - Leadership style: Collaborative leadership with student voice in appropriate forums and opportunities to lead within houses, clubs and student bodies. - Behaviour expectations: Clear code of conduct aligned with school values, consistent discipline and positive behavioural supports. - Community reputation: Known for a supportive community, strong parent networks and a focus on holistic development. - Diversity & inclusion: Commitment to inclusive practices, support for students from diverse backgrounds and promotion of belonging for all. --- ## 7. School Logistics & Daily Operations - School hours: Typical day runs during standard school hours with extended activity options after classes. - Before/after school care: Availability of supervised programs or care options around the school day. - Uniform requirements: Formal uniform policy with approved suppliers; guidance on correct attire for everyday wear and sport. - Transport (train/bus routes): Access to local bus services and recommended transport options; coordination with families on travel arrangements. - Canteen availability: On-site canteen or food service offering for breaks and lunch. - Fees (low/medium/high ranges): Fees sit in the moderate to higher range for independent Catholic schools, with additional costs for excursions, uniforms and activities. --- ## 8. Enrolment & Admissions 11. What is the enrolment process and timeline? - Submit an online application with required documents (birth certificate/identity, academic records, immunisation as applicable, and any school-specific forms). - Complete any required interviews, information sessions or testing as part of the year-level intake. - Receive an offer if space is available; follow the school’s confirmed timeline for acceptance and enrolment. 12. Is there a waiting list, and how does it work? - Waiting lists may apply when the school is at capacity for a given year level. Placement on the list is typically determined by date of application, sibling priority (if applicable) and alignment with available spaces. 13. Are there any entry requirements, tests, or interviews? - Most entry processes involve an application, interview or information session, and possibly a short assessment or testing to gauge readiness for the program and year level. 14. Does the school accept mid-year transfers? - Mid-year transfers are considered where space permits, subject to the normal admission checks and timetable alignment. --- ## 9. Frequently Asked Questions - Why Parents Choose This School? - A Catholic, values-based education with strong pastoral care, balanced academics, diverse co-curricular options and a supportive community. - What type of student thrives at this school? - Motivated, curious students who value faith formation, teamwork, leadership opportunities and a holistic approach to learning. - What opportunities are available for students to extend their skills (academics, sports, arts)? - ATAR-focused pathways, accelerated or extension programs, leadership roles, wide-ranging clubs (robotics, coding, debating), performing arts and competitive sports. - How does the school communicate with parents? - Regular communications via newsletters, emails, the school portal and scheduled parent-teacher meetings; access to pastoral care updates. - What is the school’s approach to teaching and learning? - Rother-based and student-centred learning with ongoing feedback, differentiation to meet diverse needs and a focus on critical thinking and problem solving. - How does the school support students who need extra academic help? - Dedicated learning support staff, targeted interventions and access to additional tutoring or resources as needed. - What support is available for academic challenges? - Early identification, personalised plans and collaboration with families to tailor support. - How does the school communicate with parents? - See above (multiple channels); expect timely updates on student progress and school events. - What are the class sizes and how much individual attention do students receive? - Class sizes are small to medium, designed for frequent teacher-student interaction and personalised feedback. - What extracurricular and sports opportunities are available? - A broad range of sports, music, drama and numerous clubs (robotics, chess, coding, debating) with interschool opportunities. - What facilities does the school offer (sports, science, arts)? - Comprehensive facilities including sports grounds, libraries, science labs, performing arts spaces and tech/innovation labs. - What is the school’s approach to technology and digital learning? - Integration of digital tools to support learning, with a focus on digital citizenship, safe technology use and hands-on coding/tech projects. - What transport and accessibility options are available? - Accessible transport options via local bus routes and school-supported travel planning; flexible drop-off/pickup arrangements as needed. - What are typical school fees or additional costs? - Fees fall in the mid-to-high range for independent Catholic schools, with additional costs for uniforms, excursions and extra-curricular activities. --- ## 10. Short Pros & Cons list - Pros - Catholic values-based education with strong pastoral care - Supportive, inclusive culture and student-focused learning - Broad range of academic, arts and sports opportunities - Small to medium class sizes enabling individual attention - Active student leadership and club/special-interest options - Cons - Fees are higher than public options (typical of independent schools) - Competitive entry may require commitment to ongoing enrolment processes - Availability of certain year-level spaces can vary year to year - Some programs and facilities may have longer waitlists during peak intake periods