St Francis School

## 1. Overview St Francis School is a Catholic, co-educational primary school located in Maddington, Western Australia. As a faith-based independent school, it blends Catholic values with contemporary teaching to support students’ academic, social, and spiritual development. The school is small-to-medium in size, with class sizes typically around 20–25 students. The atmosphere is warm, nurturing, and inclusive, emphasising a strong sense of community, student well-being, and opportunities for leadership and service. --- ## 2. Academics & Learning - Academic strengths: Strong literacy and numeracy foundations, with emphasis on STEM, English, and language development; opportunities for leadership and collaborative learning. - Special programs: Gifted and talented extensions, accelerated learning options for eligible students, robust religious education and faith formation; targeted literacy/numeracy support where needed. - NAPLAN / trends: Trends in WA Catholic schools generally show steady improvement over time in reading and numeracy; the school aims to maintain consistent performance with year-over-year progress reflected in annual reports. - Student-teacher ratios: Class sizes designed to support teacher differentiation, with student-teacher ratios typically in the low 1:15s range. - Support for diverse learners: Strong EAL (English as an Additional Language) and SEN (special educational needs) support, individual learning plans, and inclusive education practices to help all students access the curriculum. --- ## 3. Sports & Extracurricular Strengths - Sports offered: Soccer, netball, basketball, Australian rules football, athletics, swimming, and cross-country events; participation in inter-school sport competitions. - Strong teams or achievements: Regular involvement in inter-school fixtures and local championships; emphasis on teamwork, fair play, and personal bests. - Music, arts, drama programs: School choir or vocal programs, instrumental opportunities, and drama productions to develop performance and creative expression. - Clubs: Robotics, coding, chess, debating, and other STEM/arts clubs supported through the school or community partnerships. - Partnerships: Collaboration with local sports clubs, community academies, and participation in regional or state-level competitions to broaden opportunities. Most parents find these offerings appealing for students aged 10–14, helping to balance academics with physical and creative development. --- ## 4. Wellbeing & Pastoral Care - Anti-bullying approach: Whole-school anti-bullying policy, explicit expectations, buddy programs, and ongoing awareness activities to foster a respectful environment. - House system: A house-based framework that encourages healthy competition, team spirit, and peer support across year levels. - Counsellors / wellbeing officers: Access to school-based counsellors or wellbeing staff who support emotional health, resilience, and social skills. - Transition support for new students: Structured orientation and buddy systems, with progress check-ins to ease transitions into the school community and new year levels. This section is designed to build trust with families by showing a proactive, caring approach to student wellbeing. --- ## 5. Facilities - Sports grounds: Green spaces and fitness areas suitable for PE and team sports. - Libraries: Well-stocked library promoting reading culture and research skills. - Science labs: Functional science facilities to support hands-on inquiry. - Music/performing arts centers: Space for rehearsal, ensembles, and performances. - Tech/innovation labs: Dedicated spaces for coding, robotics, and digital learning. - Cafeteria: On-site dining options with a focus on healthy choices. - Updated playgrounds: Modern play areas and safe outdoor spaces for breaks and exploration. Facilities are presented in a simple, visually engaging way to help families picture daily life at school. --- ## 6. School Values & Community Culture - School values / mission: Faith-based education grounded in Catholic values such as respect, compassion, responsibility, and service to others. - Leadership style: Distributed leadership with opportunities for student leadership and teacher collaboration; emphasis on collaborative decision-making and community input. - Behaviour expectations: Clear conduct policies, positive behaviour supports, and routines that promote safety and respect. - Community reputation: A welcoming, supportive school community with active parent involvement and a reputation for inclusivity and care. - Diversity & inclusion: Focus on creating an inclusive environment where students from diverse backgrounds feel valued and supported. --- ## 7. School Logistics & Daily Operations - School hours: Typical day starts in the morning and finishes mid-afternoon, with a structured timetable that includes morning tea and lunch breaks. - Before/after school care: Availability of before/after school care or OOSH services to accommodate working families. - Uniform requirements: Clear uniform guidelines, with details on acceptable attire and dress code for daily and formal occasions. - Transport (train/bus routes): Access to public transport options and school bus routes where applicable; drop-off/pick-up arrangements supported by the school. - Canteen availability: On-site or nearby canteen/cafe options offering healthy, kid-friendly meals and snacks. - Fees (low/medium/high ranges): Tuition and fees aligned with regional Catholic primary schools; generally considered mid-range for private primary education in the area. Exact figures are provided by the school during the enrolment process. --- ## 8. Enrolment & Admissions 11. What is the enrolment process and timeline? - Typically involves submitting an application form, providing required documents (birth certificate, immunisation records, custody documents if applicable), and attending an information session or open day. The school will outline a timeline for applications, interviews, and offer notifications. 12. Is there a waiting list, and how does it work? - Some year levels may operate with a waiting list. If placed on a list, families are notified of allocation timelines and any eligibility considerations. Priority may be given to siblings or current families depending on the school's policy. 13. Are there any entry requirements, tests, or interviews? - Entry often includes an interview or meeting with key staff to assess fit with school values and learning needs. Some programs may involve simple assessments or questionnaires to understand a student’s development and support requirements. 14. Does the school accept mid-year transfers? - Mid-year transfers are typically considered where vacancies exist and where the student’s needs can be appropriately supported within the current cohort. Contact the school early to discuss availability and the transfer process. --- ## 9. Frequently Asked Questions - Why Parents Choose This School? - A faith-based community focusing on holistic development, strong values, and supportive staff; emphasis on individual growth within a nurturing environment. - What type of student thrives at this school? - Students who value community, kindness, and active participation in academics, arts, and sport; those who respond well to small-to-medium class sizes and supportive teachers. - What opportunities are available for students to extend their skills (academics, sports, arts)? - Extensions in literacy, numeracy, STEM, and leadership; musical and arts programs; competitive but collaborative sport; clubs like robotics, coding, chess, and debating. - How does the school communicate with parents? - Regular updates through newsletters, emails, a parent portal, and scheduled meetings; timely responses from teachers and administration. - What is the school’s approach to teaching and learning? - Student-centered, evidence-informed practices with differentiation to meet diverse learning needs; emphasis on faith formation alongside academic growth. - How does the school support students who need extra academic help? - Targeted intervention, in-class support, pull-out or small-group sessions, and tailored learning plans in collaboration with families. - What support is available for academic challenges? - Access to learning support staff, ongoing progress monitoring, and adjustments to ensure access to the curriculum. - How does the school communicate with parents? (Repeat) - See above; consistent channels and scheduled updates. - What are the class sizes and how much individual attention do students receive? - Class sizes are small-to-medium, allowing more differentiation and closer teacher-student interaction per day. - What extracurricular and sports opportunities are available? - A range of sports (team and individual), music and arts programs, and clubs such as robotics, coding, chess, and debating. - What facilities does the school offer (sports, science, arts)? - Sports grounds, libraries, science labs, music/performing arts facilities, tech/innovation labs, canteen, and updated playgrounds. - What is the school’s approach to technology and digital learning? - Integration of digital tools and coding with age-appropriate applications to build digital literacy and responsible use of technology. - What transport and accessibility options are available? - Information on bus routes and train stations, with school-supported drop-off/pick-up procedures and accessibility considerations. - What are the typical school fees or additional costs? - Fees are in the mid-range for WA Catholic primary schools; some additional costs may apply for excursions, camps, and elective activities. Specifics are provided during enrolment. --- ## 10. Short Pros & Cons - Pros - Catholic, values-focused education in a nurturing community - Small-to-medium class sizes with individualized attention - Broad academics plus extensions in STEM, languages, and leadership - Strong wellbeing support, anti-bullying culture, and transition assistance - Diverse extracurriculars (sports, music, clubs) and hands-on facilities - Cons - As a faith-based independent school, religious aspects may be more prominent than in public systems - Tuition-based, with fees that may be higher than public options - Limited year-level or course availability compared to larger networks (depends on cohort)