St Brigids Primary School - Raymond Terrace

## 1. Overview St Brigid's Primary School is a Catholic primary school serving families in Raymond Terrace. As a small-to-medium community, it offers intimate class sizes and a warm, faith-centered atmosphere that supports both academic growth and personal development. Class sizes typically sit in the low- to mid-20s, enabling teachers to give students individual attention within a caring, inclusive environment. The school emphasises values-based education, strong pastoral care, and a welcoming culture where students are encouraged to participate, lead and contribute to the broader school community. The atmosphere aims to balance academic learning with the development of character, resilience and community-mindedness. ⸻ ## 2. Academics & Learning - Academic strengths: Literacy and numeracy are core focus areas, with integrated religious education that reinforces ethical and values-based learning. The school also emphasises leadership development and well-being-informed learning as part of the curriculum. - Special programs: Catholic formation programs, student leadership opportunities and enrichment options are commonly available. Gifted and Talented extension activities may be offered within appropriate year levels. - NAPLAN trends: The school typically aims for steady progress in key literacy and numeracy areas over time, with a focus on sustaining improvement across cohorts. For the latest year-by-year trend data, consult NSW My School resources or the school directly. - Student-teacher ratios: Classrooms are generally designed to provide attentive teaching, with typical primary-school ratios around 1:20 or slightly lower, supporting frequent teacher-student interaction. - Support for diverse learners: Dedicated supports for diverse learners, including targeted interventions, EAL considerations, and SEN programs, help ensure access to learning for all students. ⸻ ## 3. Sports & Extracurricular Strengths - Sports offered: Soccer, netball, rugby league, cricket and athletics are commonly available, with opportunities to participate in district events and carnivals. - Strong teams or achievements: School teams frequently participate in local divisional or diocesan sports days and events, building school spirit and athletic development. - Music, arts, drama programs: There are opportunities for choir or music ensembles, school productions and performing arts involvement as part of the holistic education. - Clubs: Robotics, chess, coding and debating are typical extracurricular options that encourage problem-solving and critical thinking. - Partnerships: Engagement with local community clubs and regional Catholic education initiatives supports competitions and collaborative activities. ⸻ ## 4. Wellbeing & Pastoral Care - Anti-bullying approach: A proactive anti-bullying policy, positive behaviour strategies and restorative practices help create a safe, respectful school climate. - House system: A house framework (with multiple houses) supports student voice, leadership, collaboration and healthy competition. - Counsellors / wellbeing officers: Access to wellbeing staff or school counsellors helps support emotional health, resilience and social skills. - Transition support for new students: Induction programs, buddy systems and personalised adjustment support ease transitions for new students and families. ⸻ ## 5. Facilities - Sports grounds: On-site playing fields or courts to support physical education and sport. - Libraries: A library or well-stocked learning commons to promote reading and research. - Science labs: Primary science spaces or prep rooms to support hands-on inquiry. - Music/performing arts centers: Spaces or halls for music, drama and performances. - Tech/innovation labs: Basic technology or computer areas to support digital learning. - Cafeteria: A canteen or lunch facilities to support daily meals and healthy eating. - Updated playgrounds: Modern play areas and outdoor learning spaces for breaks and active play. ⸻ ## 6. School Values & Community Culture - School values / mission: A faith-informed mission prioritising respect, responsibility, inclusivity and service, aligned with Catholic education principles. - Leadership style: A collaborative, student-centered leadership culture that encourages student voice and involvement in routines and decisions. - Behaviour expectations: Clear, consistently applied expectations focused on respect, safety and responsibility. - Community reputation: A welcoming school community with active family involvement and a supportive local parish network. - Diversity & inclusion: Commitment to diversity and inclusion, welcoming families from varied backgrounds and ensuring equitable access to learning opportunities. ⸻ ## 7. School Logistics & Daily Operations - School hours: Typical daily timetable follows a morning-to-afternoon schedule with start and finish times aligned to NSW primary norms. - Before/after school care: Before and after school care options are usually available through an OSHC or on-site program, offering supervision and structured activities. - Uniform requirements: A school uniform is standard, with guidelines on appropriate attire for daily wear and sports days. - Transport (bus routes): Local transport options and school bus routes commonly exist to support commuting families from surrounding areas. - Canteen availability: An on-site or nearby canteen/cafeteria typically operates on select days to provide meals and snacks. - Fees (low/medium/high ranges): Fee levels generally fall into a moderate range for NSW Catholic primary schools, with transparent information available from the school. ⸻ ## 8. Enrolment & Admissions - 11. What is the enrolment process and timeline? - Submit an application with required documentation. - Completion of any parish or family eligibility steps, if applicable. - Interviews or information sessions with the principal or enrolments team. - Notification of acceptance and planned orientation for new students. - Timeline varies by intake and year level; start dates align with NSW school calendars. - 12. Is there a waiting list, and how does it work? - There can be a waiting list when vacancies are limited. Priorities typically consider siblings, parish affiliation, and place availability. Families may be asked to express interest and provide updated contact information, with periodic re-assessment. - 13. Are there any entry requirements, tests, or interviews? - Entry usually involves documentation and an information session or interview. There are typically no formal academic entrance exams for primary students; the process focuses on fit, expectations, and readiness. - 14. Does the school accept mid-year transfers? - Mid-year transfers are possible if vacancies exist and all enrolment requirements are met. Families seeking mid-year entry should contact the enrolments team as early as possible to discuss availability and transition planning. ⸻ ## 9. Frequently Asked Questions - Why Parents Choose This School? - A faith-based, welcoming community with strong pastoral care, small class sizes and a focus on developing both character and academic skills. - What type of student thrives at this school? - Students who value community, participate in service and enjoy a balanced approach to learning—academic growth guided by faith and values. - What opportunities are available for students to extend their skills (academics, sports, arts)? - Enrichment in literacy and numeracy, leadership roles, sports teams, music programs, drama/arts activities and various clubs (robotics, coding, chess, debating). - How does the school communicate with parents? - Regular newsletters, parent-teacher conferences, online portals and open days are commonly used to keep families informed. - What is the school’s approach to teaching and learning? - A blended approach combining explicit instruction, inquiry-based learning and faith-informed values, with a focus on individual growth and inclusive access to learning. - How does the school support students who need extra academic help? - Targeted interventions, small-group or one-on-one support, and planning with specialists or learning support staff. - What support is available for academic challenges? - Early identification, personalised learning plans and collaboration with families to address barriers to learning. - How does the school communicate with parents? (Repeated) - See above: newsletters, conferences, portal updates and direct contact with teachers and leadership. - What are the class sizes and how much individual attention do students receive? - Class sizes are small-to-medium (typically around 20–25 students), allowing regular teacher check-ins and tailored support. - What extracurricular and sports opportunities are available? - A range of sports (e.g., soccer, netball, rugby league, cricket, athletics), plus clubs in robotics, coding, chess and debating, and music/drama activities. - What facilities does the school offer (sports, science, arts)? - Sports grounds, library, science space, performing arts areas, technology/learning spaces and a on-site cafeteria or dining facilities. - What is the school’s approach to technology and digital learning? - Integration of digital learning tools, age-appropriate IT use, and opportunities to explore coding and creative digital projects. - What transport and accessibility options are available? - Local bus routes and transport services, with accessible drop-off/pick-up arrangements where possible. - What are the typical school fees or additional costs? - Fees are typically in the moderate range for NSW Catholic primary schools; families should refer to the school’s current fee schedule for exact amounts. ⸻ ## 10. Short Pros & Cons list - Pros - Strong sense of community and faith-based values - Small-to-medium class sizes enabling individual attention - Focus on pastoral care and student wellbeing - Broad extracurricular options (sports, arts, clubs) - Inclusive environment with supports for diverse learners - Cons - Less specialized programs than larger, urban schools - Transport options may depend on regional routes - Availability of some enrichment opportunities may vary by year level - Fees apply (as with most non-government schools) and can rise with changes in policies ⸻