## 1. Overview
St John’s College, Dubbo is a Catholic, co-educational secondary school serving Dubbo and surrounding communities. The college offers a values-based education with a focus on academic achievement, pastoral care and community engagement. It operates as a medium-to-large school with a diverse student body and a supportive, inclusive culture.
The campus fosters an atmosphere that balancing strong academic expectations with practical, real‑world learning. Class sizes are typically in the low-to-mid 20s, enabling teachers to know students well and tailor support. The environment emphasises respect, resilience and service, helping students develop character alongside their scholastic goals.
## 2. Academics & Learning
- Academic strengths: English and STEM are strengths, with opportunities for leadership development and engagement in language study (LOTE options).
- Special programs: Gifted and talented pathways, accelerated learning opportunities in appropriate year levels, and a focus on faith-informed ethics across learning.
- NAPLAN trends: Recent years show steady improvement with results commonly trending above state averages in key literacy and numeracy measures.
- Student-teacher ratios: Typical class sizes around 22–26 with student-teacher ratios in the vicinity of 1:12 to 1:16, varying by year level and subject.
- Support for diverse learners: Dedicated learning support teams, EAL support where needed, and inclusive practices to assist students with SEN or additional learning requirements.
## 3. Sports & Extracurricular Strengths
- Sports offered: Rugby, soccer, basketball, netball, cricket, athletics and swimming are commonly available through the school’s broader sport program.
- Strong teams or achievements: Competitive school teams with regional involvement and success in local competitions; emphasis on teamwork and personal growth.
- Music, arts, drama programs: Active music ensembles, choir and drama productions; opportunities to participate in school concerts and performances.
- Clubs: Robotics, chess, coding, debating and other student-led clubs that run through the year.
- Partnerships: Collaborations with local sporting clubs and community organisations; participation in regional competitions and feeder programs.
Most parents in the 10–14 age range focus on practical opportunities for growth, teamwork and ongoing skill development in these areas.
## 4. Wellbeing & Pastoral Care
- Anti-bullying approach: Clear anti-bullying policies with proactive education, reporting pathways and supportive responses for students.
- House system: A house-based structure to foster belonging, healthy competition and peer mentoring during events and activities.
- Counsellors / wellbeing officers: Access to college counsellors and wellbeing staff to support mental health, study strategies and personal development.
- Transition support for new students: Orientation programs, buddy systems, and targeted induction activities to help new arrivals settle in quickly.
This section builds trust by showing a visible commitment to student safety, belonging and emotional wellbeing.
## 5. Facilities
- Sports grounds: Clean, well-maintained playing fields and courts for a range of sports.
- Libraries: Modern library spaces with study resources and quiet zones.
- Science labs: Well-equipped science laboratories to support practical experiments and inquiry-based learning.
- Music/performing arts centers: Dedicated spaces for music, drama and performances.
- Tech/innovation labs: Computer rooms and maker spaces that support coding, robotics and digital projects.
- Canteen: On-site canteen offering healthy meal options and snacks.
- Updated playgrounds: Age-appropriate outdoor spaces and recreational areas.
Facilities are designed to be visually engaging and easy to navigate, supporting a broad curriculum and extra-curricular activities.
## 6. School Values & Community Culture
- School values / mission: A Catholic ethos centered on respect, compassion, service, integrity and excellence.
- Leadership style: Distributed leadership with student voice opportunities and teacher leadership across departments.
- Behaviour expectations: Clear codes of conduct based on respect, responsibility, resilience and cooperation.
- Community reputation: Known for a welcoming, inclusive atmosphere and strong partnerships with families and local communities.
- Diversity & inclusion: Commitment to diversity and inclusive practices across all aspects of schooling.
## 7. School Logistics & Daily Operations
- School hours: Typical school day runs from around 8:30am to 3:15pm, with after-school activities available.
- Before/after school care: Availability of extended care through school or approved external providers.
- Uniform requirements: School uniform with options for summer and winter; sports uniform for physical education and after-school activities.
- Transport (train/bus routes): Bus services and local transport options for families within Dubbo and nearby areas.
- Canteen availability: On-site canteen offering a range of healthy choices.
- Fees (low/medium/high ranges): Fees generally positioned in the mid-range for NSW Catholic secondary schools, with additional costs for camps, excursions and uniforms.
## 8. Enrolment & Admissions
11. What is the enrolment process and timeline?
- Applications are welcomed for ongoing consideration throughout the year, with formal intake periods aligned to the school calendar. Families are encouraged to attend an open day or information evening, submit the application with required documents, and participate in any interview or meeting as part of the process. The school outlines clear timelines for applications, interviews, offer of place and enrolment confirmation.
12. Is there a waiting list, and how does it work?
- When capacity is reached, a waiting list is typically established. Placement on the list depends on available spaces, date of application and any priority considerations defined by the school or diocese. Offers are made as vacancies arise.
13. Are there any entry requirements, tests, or interviews?
- Entry commonly involves submission of documents and an admissions conversation or interview. Some programs may include discussions to assess fit with the school’s values and learning environment. Academic testing is not routinely required for all applicants, but may occur for specific programs or year levels as appropriate.
14. Does the school accept mid-year transfers?
- Yes, mid-year transfers are considered subject to space and alignment with the program timetable. Families planning a mid-year move should contact the enrolments team as early as possible to determine availability and transition support.
## 9. Frequently Asked Questions
- Why Parents Choose This School?
- A values-based Catholic education with strong pastoral care, solid academic pathways and broad opportunities in sport, arts and clubs.
- What type of student thrives at this school?
- Students who are motivated, collaborative and committed to both academics and community involvement, and who value a supportive, faith-informed environment.
- What opportunities are available for students to extend their skills (academics, sports, arts)?
- Accelerated learning options, leadership roles, STEM and English extensions, regional sports, music ensembles and drama productions, robotics, debating and coding clubs.
- How does the school communicate with parents?
- Regular updates through newsletters, emails, parent portals and scheduled information evenings; open channels with teachers and staff for ongoing dialogue.
- What is the school’s approach to teaching and learning?
- A balanced approach combining literacy and numeracy foundations, inquiry-based learning, pastoral care and opportunities for leadership and service.
- How does the school support students who need extra academic help?
- Dedicated learning support staff, targeted intervention programs, EAL support where needed and in-class adaptations to meet diverse needs.
- What support is available for academic challenges?
- Access to tutors, study skills guidance, personalised plans and coordinated teacher collaboration to monitor progress.
- How does the school communicate with parents? (Repeated)
- See above: newsletters, portals, emails and parent-teacher meetings.
- What are the class sizes and how much individual attention do students receive?
- Class sizes typically in the low-to-mid 20s, with a student-teacher ratio around 1:12 to 1:16, enabling substantial individual attention.
- What extracurricular and sports opportunities are available?
- A wide range of sports (team and individual), music and drama programs, and clubs such as robotics, chess, coding and debating.
- What facilities does the school offer (sports, science, arts)?
- Extensive facilities including sports grounds, libraries, science labs, music/performing arts spaces, tech/innovation labs and a canteen.
- What is the school’s approach to technology and digital learning?
- Integrated digital literacy across the curriculum, access to modern computer labs and project-based learning in technology and coding.
- What transport and accessibility options are available?
- Local bus routes and transport options serving Dubbo and surrounding areas; guidance provided to families on travel arrangements.
- What are the typical school fees or additional costs?
- Fees fall within a mid-range for NSW Catholic secondary schools, with potential extra costs for uniforms, camps, excursions and elective activities.
## 10. Short Pros & Cons list
- Pros
- Catholic values-based education with strong pastoral care
- Balanced focus on academics, sport, arts and leadership
- Supportive, inclusive culture and clear behaviour expectations
- Good range of facilities and active student programs
- Clear communication with families and strong community links
- Cons
- Fees may be a consideration for some families
- Some specialized programs may have waiting lists or be limited by capacity
- Travel distance for families living outside Dubbo
- Large school size can sometimes feel less personalised for smaller cohorts
