## 1. Overview
St Francis De Sales Regional College is a Catholic, co-educational secondary school serving Leeton and the surrounding region. As a mid-sized regional college, it focuses on holistic student development, balancing faith, academics, sport and community involvement in a nurturing, inclusive environment.
Class sizes are typically around 20–25 students, which helps teachers give more individual attention and fosters a collegial atmosphere. The college emphasises Catholic values, strong pastoral care, and opportunities for students to contribute to school life through leadership, service and sport.
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## 2. Academics & Learning
- Academic strengths: English, STEM, leadership development and language learning sit at the core of the curriculum, with a focus on preparing students for success in the HSC and beyond.
- Special programs: Availability of pathways that support accelerated learning, gifted and talented opportunities, and access to senior secondary subjects. Strong emphasis on Catholic identity alongside contemporary education practices; VET or practical pathways may be offered where appropriate.
- NAPLAN / trends: Trends over recent years typically show steady improvement in literacy and numeracy with solid growth in key areas across year levels; outcomes reflect a commitment to targeted support and differentiated learning.
- Student-teacher ratios: Generally in the vicinity of 1:12 to 1:15, enabling more individual teacher supervision and feedback.
- Support for diverse learners: Programs and supports for EAL learners and students with SEN, including in-class support, targeted interventions and access to learning support staff.
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## 3. Sports & Extracurricular Strengths
- Sports offered: Rugby league, cricket, soccer, netball, basketball, athletics, and other regional program offerings depending on season and grade.
- Strong teams or achievements: Regular participation in local and regional competitions with active school sporting programs and house-based teams that promote healthy competition and teamwork.
- Music, arts, drama programs: School ensembles or bands, choir, and drama productions; opportunities to perform in school events and community performances.
- Clubs: Robotics, chess, coding, debating, environmental or service clubs, and other student-led initiatives.
- Partnerships: Participation in local community clubs and regional competitions; collaboration with parish or diocesan activities where appropriate.
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## 4. Wellbeing & Pastoral Care
- Anti-bullying approach: Clear policies and restorative practices to promote respectful relationships and digital citizenship.
- House system: House structures provide belonging, peer mentoring and opportunities for leadership and collaboration across year levels.
- Counsellors / wellbeing officers: Access to school counsellors or wellbeing staff to support mental health, study skills and personal development.
- Transition support for new students: Orientation programs, buddy systems and tailored supports to help new students settle in smoothly.
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## 5. Facilities
- Sports grounds: On-site sports facilities suitable for regional competitions and fitness activities.
- Libraries: Central library with study and research space.
- Science labs: Modern science laboratories for practical experiments and investigations.
- Music/performing arts centers: Space for music rehearsals, concerts and drama activities.
- Tech/innovation labs: Facilities for computing, digital media and design work.
- Cafeteria: On-site canteen or dining facilities for students.
- Updated playgrounds: Safe, maintained outdoor spaces for recreation and break times.
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## 6. School Values & Community Culture
- School values / mission: Catholic values such as respect, service, compassion and integrity underpin the daily life and learning at the college.
- Leadership style: Student leadership opportunities, teacher-student partnership and a culture that encourages initiative and responsible citizenship.
- Behaviour expectations: Clear codes of conduct and consistent expectations around respect, responsibility and teamwork.
- Community reputation: A welcoming, family-oriented school community with strong ties to local parishes and the broader Leeton area.
- Diversity & inclusion: Commitment to inclusive practices and respect for a range of family backgrounds and abilities.
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## 7. School Logistics & Daily Operations
- School hours: Typical NSW school day, commonly around 9:00 am to 3:30 pm (subject to annual calendar and year level).
- Before/after school care: OSHC or school-supported options may be available to support families.
- Uniform requirements: School uniform (with sports uniform for PE days) and clear guidelines for presentation and readiness.
- Transport (train/bus routes): Public transport access plus local bus routes; proximity to community transport options is considered in planning.
- Canteen availability: On-site canteen or designated eating areas with daily options.
- Fees (low/medium/high ranges): Fees are generally mid-range for regional Catholic high schools, with possible additional costs for camps, excursions and materials; financial aid or fee relief options may be available from time to time.
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## 8. Enrolment & Admissions
11. What is the enrolment process and timeline?
- Submit an application with required documents (birth certificate, immunisation records, previous school reports as applicable).
- The school may request additional information and conduct an interview or age-appropriate assessment.
- After reviewing applications, families are notified of decisions within the school’s admissions timelines; consider early submission to secure a place.
12. Is there a waiting list, and how does it work?
- There may be a waiting list when the college reaches capacity. Places are often allocated based on availability, siblings, parish or catchment considerations, and submission date on a first-come, first-served basis where applicable.
13. Are there any entry requirements, tests, or interviews?
- Entry commonly includes documentation review and possibly an interview or meeting with families. Some Catholic schools also consider parish or faith considerations as part of enrolment; check the school’s current policy.
14. Does the school accept mid-year transfers?
- Yes, subject to space and availability. Prospective mid-year transfer students should provide latest school records, attendance data and any relevant documentation to support the transfer.
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## 9. Frequently Asked Questions
- Why Parents Choose This School?
- A welcoming Catholic environment, strong pastoral care, community feel, and a balance of academics, sport and arts.
- What type of student thrives at this school?
- Students who respond well to a supportive, values-based environment, who value community and teamwork, and who are motivated across academics, sport, and extracurriculars.
- What opportunities are available for students to extend their skills (academics, sports, arts)?
- Advanced subjects, leadership roles, VET or practical pathways, regional sports programs, music ensembles, drama productions and various clubs (robotics, coding, debating).
- How does the school communicate with parents?
- Through newsletters, a parent portal, emails, phone calls, parent-teacher interviews, and school social media or official channels.
- What is the school’s approach to teaching and learning?
- Student-centered, differentiated instruction that supports a range of learning needs within a Catholic framework, with integration of technology and real-world applications.
- How does the school support students who need extra academic help?
- In-class support, targeted interventions, tutoring and access to learning support staff (SEN/EAL support as appropriate).
- What support is available for academic challenges?
- Additional tutoring, study skill programs and regular progress reviews to identify and address gaps early.
- How does the school communicate with parents?
- See above; multiple channels to ensure timely and transparent information.
- What are the class sizes and how much individual attention do students receive?
- Class sizes around 20–25 students with relatively low student-teacher ratios to allow for more individual feedback and support.
- What extracurricular and sports opportunities are available?
- A range of sports (rugby league, cricket, soccer, netball, basketball, athletics), plus music, drama and clubs such as robotics, chess, coding and debating.
- What facilities does the school offer (sports, science, arts)?
- Sports grounds, libraries, science labs, a music/performing arts area, tech/innovation labs, a canteen, and well-maintained outdoor spaces.
- What is the school’s approach to technology and digital learning?
- Integrated ICT across the curriculum, with digital citizenship and appropriate use of technology to support learning and collaboration.
- What transport and accessibility options are available?
- Local bus routes and public transport access, with consideration given to accessibility and safe travel options for students.
- What are the typical school fees or additional costs?
- Fees are mid-range for regional Catholic high schools, with potential additional costs for uniforms, books, camps and excursions; financial assistance may be available.
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## 10. Short Pros & Cons list
- Pros
- Catholic, values-led education with strong pastoral care
- Medium-sized regional college with approachable class sizes
- Balanced focus on academics, sport, arts and community involvement
- Support for diverse learners (SEN, EAL) and pathways for different futures
- Active student leadership and a sense of belonging through the house system
- Cons
- May have fewer niche programs or international opportunities compared with larger city schools
- Travel considerations for families living outside the immediate region
- Availability of some specialist subjects or facilities can vary by year and enrolment numbers
- Some costs are unavoidable (uniforms, excursions, materials) though financial assistance may be available
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