St Clare's Primary School - Yarrabilba

## Overview St Clare's Primary is a Catholic, co-educational primary school serving families in Yarrabilba and surrounding areas. The school focuses on faith-filled learning within a supportive, inclusive community. Class sizes are typically medium, with a strong emphasis on developing literacy and numeracy foundations, social responsibility, and student leadership. The atmosphere is nurturing and collaborative, balancing academic rigor with opportunities for faith formation, service, and personal growth. The school aims to cultivate confident, kind, and curious learners who are prepared for the next step in their education and life. ⸻ ## Academics & Learning - Academic strengths: Strong focus on literacy and numeracy, integrated faith-informed learning, opportunities for leadership development and rigorous inquiry across key subjects. - Special programs: Access to targeted literacy/numeracy support, ICT/digital literacy integration, potential gifted/talented opportunities, and leadership/ public-speaking activities. - NAPLAN / trends: Public trend data are not published here; the school aims for steady, year-to-year improvement in reading and numeracy with a focus on formative assessment and early intervention where needed. - Student-teacher ratios: Generally around 1:20 (class sizes typically in the low 20s to mid-20s), with teachers able to give individualized attention within the classroom setting. - Support for diverse learners: Dedicated support for EAL and SEN students, inclusive education practices, and planning to meet individual student needs through learning support staff and coordinated interventions. ⸻ ## Sports & Extracurricular Strengths - Sports offered: Netball, soccer, cricket, athletics, swimming, and other inter-school activities; opportunities to participate in school-wide sporting events. - Strong teams or achievements: Participation in inter-school competitions and development programs; emphasis on teamwork, sportspersonship, and personal bests. - Music, arts, drama programs: Active involvement in music and performing arts, with opportunities for ensembles, performances, and showcases. - Clubs: Robotics, chess, coding, debating, and other enrichment clubs that foster critical thinking and collaboration. - Partnerships: Links with local community sports clubs and inter-school networks to provide broader competition and development opportunities. ⸻ ## Wellbeing & Pastoral Care - Anti-bullying approach: Proactive, whole-school anti-bullying strategies with clear policies and student-support pathways. - House system: House-based activities and competitions to promote belonging, leadership, and healthy competition. - Counsellors / wellbeing officers: Access to wellbeing staff and support services to assist students with social-emotional learning. - Transition support for new students: Structured orientation and friendship programs to help new families and students settle in smoothly. ⸻ ## Facilities - Sports grounds - Libraries - Science labs - Music / performing arts centers - Tech / innovation labs - Cafeteria - Updated playgrounds ⸻ ## School Values & Community Culture - School values / mission: A faith-centered mission emphasizing respect, compassion, integrity, and service within a learning community. - Leadership style: Collaborative and inclusive, with opportunities for student voice and leadership. - Behaviour expectations: Positive-behaviour framework with clear expectations and consistent reinforcement. - Community reputation: Known for a welcoming, supportive environment and strong family involvement. - Diversity & inclusion: Commitment to inclusive practices and welcoming families from diverse backgrounds. ⸻ ## School Logistics & Daily Operations - School hours: Typical school day runs within standard Queensland primary hours (start around the morning bell and finish in the mid-afternoon), with variations by year level. - Before/after school care: On-site or partnered programs available to support families. - Uniform requirements: Uniform attire required, with specified seasonal options; details provided by the school. - Transport: Bus routes and local transport connections available to support commuting families. - Canteen availability: Canteen or canteen services offering healthy meal and snack options. - Fees: Fee range is in the moderate category, with additional costs for camps, excursions, and certain activities. ⸻ ## Enrolment & Admissions 11. What is the enrolment process and timeline? - Submit an enrolment application with required documents, followed by an interview or welcome meeting. Families are typically guided through the process with confirmation of vacancy timelines and placement dates for the upcoming intake period. 12. Is there a waiting list, and how does it work? - Yes, there can be a waiting list depending on vacancy. Priority often goes to siblings and then applicants based on availability and the school’s enrolment plan. Applications still in process are reviewed regularly for possible placement. 13. Are there any entry requirements, tests, or interviews? - Entry usually involves an interview or family meeting, with preference given to Catholic families and those who align with the school’s faith-based community. Some assessments may be used to understand learning needs and to plan support if required. 14. Does the school accept mid-year transfers? - Yes, if there are vacancies, mid-year transfers are considered. Placement depends on current enrolment capacity and readiness to support the student’s transition. ⸻ ## Frequently Asked Questions - Why Parents Choose This School? - A welcoming Catholic education that emphasizes faith, values, strong academics, and a supportive community where children are known and nurtured. - What type of student thrives at this school? - Students who are engaged, collaborative, faith-oriented, and keen to develop academically, socially, and morally within a close-knit community. - What opportunities are available for students to extend their skills (academics, sports, arts)? - Strong literacy and numeracy programs, leadership opportunities, sports teams, music and performing arts involvement, and clubs such as robotics, coding, chess, and debating. - How does the school communicate with parents? - Through newsletters, email, a school portal/app, parent-teacher meetings, and regular updates about student progress and school events. - What is the school’s approach to teaching and learning? - A faith-informed, inquiry-based approach with a focus on core literacy and numeracy, differentiation to meet diverse needs, and opportunities for student voice and leadership. - How does the school support students who need extra academic help? - Targeted learning support, small-group interventions, EAL/SEN provisions, and collaboration between teachers and support staff. - What support is available for academic challenges? - Additional tutoring, progress monitoring, and individualized plans to address learning gaps and accelerate improvement. - How does the school communicate with parents? - See above: regular updates via multiple channels, including digital platforms and in-person meetings. - What are the class sizes and how much individual attention do students receive? - Class sizes are in the low 20s, with teachers able to provide targeted support within lessons and through small-group interventions. - What extracurricular and sports opportunities are available? - A range of sports (netball, soccer, cricket, athletics, swimming), music and arts programs, and clubs like robotics, chess, coding, and debating. - What facilities does the school offer (sports, science, arts)? - A well-equipped campus with sports grounds, libraries, science labs, music/performing arts spaces, ICT/tech labs, a canteen, and modern playgrounds. - What is the school’s approach to technology and digital learning? - Integrated ICT across the curriculum, with access to computers/tablets, interactive learning spaces, and opportunities to develop digital literacy and coding skills. - What transport and accessibility options are available? - Local bus routes and transport options are available; school accessibility is supported to accommodate students with diverse needs. - What are the typical school fees or additional costs? - Fees are in the moderate range, with additional costs for camps, excursions, uniforms, and some activities. ⸻ ## Short Pros & Cons list - Pros: - Catholic values-based education in a supportive, inclusive community - Solid focus on literacy and numeracy with opportunities for leadership - Wide range of extracurriculars, sports, and clubs - Strong wellbeing and pastoral care framework - Modern facilities and facilities-rich campus - Cons: - As a Catholic school, admissions may prioritise Catholic families or align with school ethos - Class sizes are moderate (not very large), which may mean limited availability during peak intake periods - Some programs and facilities may have limited availability depending on year level or enrollment numbers