1. Overview
St Francis of Assisi Primary School, Calwell (ACT) is a Catholic co-educational primary school serving families in the Canberra region. The school blends faith-based values with a supportive learning environment to foster personal growth, academic curiosity, and community connection.
- School type: Catholic
- School size: Medium
- Class size: Typically around 20–25 students per class
- Atmosphere/culture: Nurturing, inclusive, faith-informed, and community-focused
2. Academics & Learning
- Academic strengths: Strong literacy and numeracy foundations, with emphasis on critical thinking and a values-based curriculum; opportunities to develop leadership and collaborative skills.
- Special programs: Gifted and talented pathways, targeted enrichment, and integrated religious education as part of the core learning.
- NAPLAN / Ofsted trends: General expectations of steady improvement or solid performance over time, with a focus on literacy and numeracy growth; check current school reports for the latest trend insights.
- Student-teacher ratios: Typical ratios in the primary range around 1:12–1:20, varying by year level and program.
- Support for diverse learners: Programs and supports for EAL learners and students with SEN, including targeted interventions and inclusive teaching practices.
3. Sports & Extracurricular Strengths
- Sports offered: Soccer, basketball, netball, AFL-style activities, athletics, and school-wide PE programs.
- Strong teams or achievements: Participation in local inter-school events and school-level competitions; emphasis on teamwork and sportsmanship.
- Music, arts, drama programs: Active music and performing arts program with opportunities for choir, instrument study, and school productions.
- Clubs: Robotics, coding, chess, debating, and other inquiry-based clubs that run after school or as part of lunch-time activities.
- Partnerships: Collaborations with local sports clubs and community groups for clinics, fixtures, and competitions.
4. Wellbeing & Pastoral Care
- Anti-bullying approach: Whole-school wellbeing framework with restorative practices, clear behaviour expectations, and active student voice in wellbeing initiatives.
- House system: House-based events and competitions to build belonging and healthy rivalry.
- Counsellors / wellbeing officers: Access to school wellbeing staff and external supports as needed to support emotional and social development.
- Transition support for new students: Buddy programs, orientation sessions, and gradual transition plans to help new cohorts settle in smoothly.
5. Facilities
- Sports grounds: On-site playing fields and appropriate sporting infrastructure.
- Libraries: Well-stocked library with reading programs and information literacy activities.
- Science labs: Dedicated spaces for hands-on experiments and inquiry-based learning.
- Music/performing arts centers: Rehearsal spaces and performance areas for music and drama.
- Tech/innovation labs: ICT facilities and makerspace-style areas to support coding and digital learning.
- Cafeteria: School canteen or tuck shop with healthy snack options.
- Updated playgrounds: Safe, modern play areas for breaks and outdoor learning.
6. School Values & Community Culture
- School values / mission: Emphasis on respect, responsibility, compassion, and integrity within a faith-informed context.
- Leadership style: Collaborative and servant-leadership approach; student voice and leadership opportunities at various levels.
- Behaviour expectations: Clear, consistently applied expectations aligned with faith-based and school-wide codes of conduct.
- Community reputation: Positive, inclusive reputation within the local Catholic and broader Canberra community.
- Diversity & inclusion: Commitment to welcoming students from varied backgrounds and promoting inclusive practices.
7. School Logistics & Daily Operations
- School hours: Typical early start with supervision, standard instructional day, and afternoon dismissal.
- Before/after school care: Availability of before/after school care or wrap-around programs (where offered).
- Uniform requirements: Specific school uniform policy with approved attire; details provided by the enrolment team.
- Transport (train/bus routes): Bus arrangements and public transport options commonly available; confirm with the school for current routes and eligibility.
- Canteen availability: On-site or school-operated canteen/canteen services during the day.
- Fees (low/medium/high ranges): Fee ranges applicable to Catholic primary schools in the region; exact amounts and payment options provided by the school.
8. Enrolment & Admissions
- 11. What is the enrolment process and timeline?
- Begin with an expression of interest or application, followed by information sessions or orientation (where offered). The school will provide a timeline for intake, audits of enrolment eligibility, and notification of offers. Offers are typically made in advance of the starting year, with orientation activities prior to commencement.
- 12. Is there a waiting list, and how does it work?
- Some intake years may have waiting lists. Waiting lists are usually managed by date of application and may consider factors such as sibling priority, parish affiliation, and available places. The school will provide specifics on current wait times and any prioritisation rules.
- 13. Are there any entry requirements, tests, or interviews?
- Entry requirements often include enrolment forms, immunisation verification, and proof of residency. Some schools may conduct short interviews or information sessions; formal entrance tests for primary years are not typically required, though gifted pathways or language supports might involve additional assessments if applicable.
- 14. Does the school accept mid-year transfers?
- Mid-year transfers are considered where places are available. Families should contact the admissions team promptly to review placement options, transfer documentation, and transition supports.
9. Frequently Asked Questions
- Why Parents Choose This School?
- A faith-informed community that emphasises values, individual attention, inclusive learning, and a collaborative culture.
- What type of student thrives at this school?
- Students who respond well to a supportive, values-based environment with opportunities for academic, faith-based, and co-curricular engagement.
- What opportunities are available for students to extend their skills (academics, sports, arts)?
- Enrichment programs in literacy and numeracy, gifted and talented pathways, clubs in robotics and coding, sports teams, music and drama opportunities, and inter-school competitions.
- How does the school communicate with parents?
- Regular newsletters, parent-teacher meetings, online portals, and timetabled updates on student progress and school events.
- What is the school’s approach to teaching and learning?
- A balanced approach combining core literacy and numeracy with inquiry-based learning, faith-based perspectives, and inclusive teaching practices.
- How does the school support students who need extra academic help?
- Targeted interventions, small-group or one-on-one support, assessment data-informed planning, and access to specialist staff.
- What support is available for academic challenges?
- Early identification, differentiated instruction, and collaboration with families to create tailored learning plans.
- How does the school communicate with parents? (Repeated)
- See above: regular updates through multiple channels, with opportunities to raise questions at meetings or via the school office.
- What are the class sizes and how much individual attention do students receive?
- Class sizes typically around 20–25 students, with teachers providing ongoing feedback and targeted support within the day.
- What extracurricular and sports opportunities are available?
- A range of sports, arts, and clubs (robotics, chess, coding, debating) plus performance opportunities and inter-school events.
- What facilities does the school offer (sports, science, arts)?
- Sports facilities, 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, responsible use guidelines, and opportunities to develop ICT skills across subjects.
- What transport and accessibility options are available?
- School transport options and access to public transit routes; information provided by the school regarding eligibility and timetables.
- What are the typical school fees or additional costs?
- Fee ranges typical for the region; details provided by the school with information on payment plans and potential additional costs for activities or camps.
10. Short Pros & Cons list
- Pros
- Faith-based, values-driven education with a supportive, inclusive community
- Moderate class sizes enabling teacher attention and student engagement
- Broad range of academics, arts, and sports with enrichment opportunities
- Strong wellbeing framework and student transition support
- Modern facilities supporting science, technology, and performing arts
- Cons
- Enrolment may involve waiting lists or eligibility considerations
- Catholic affiliation may influence enrolment preferences for some families
- Fees and uniform requirements may be an additional consideration for some households
- Availability of mid-year transfers depends on places and timing
