St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School - Molong

## 1. Overview St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Molong is a small, parish-oriented Catholic primary school serving Molong and surrounding rural communities. The school focuses on faith-based learning, a supportive community, and the development of the whole child—spiritually, academically and socially. Class sizes are typically small, enabling close teacher–student relationships and personalised attention, within a warm, inclusive atmosphere. School type: Catholic School size: Small Class size: Typically around 18–24 students per class Atmosphere/culture: Nurturing, inclusive, community-focused Note: For the most accurate and current details, please check with the school directly. --- ## 2. Academics & Learning - Academic strengths: Emphasis on literacy and numeracy, with strong Catholic Studies; opportunities to develop leadership skills and participate in STEM and creative arts activities. - Special programs: Faith formation integrated into the curriculum; opportunities for advanced learners and enrichment within a small-school setting; supportive programs to cater to diverse learning needs. - NAPLAN / trends: NSW primary schools in regional areas often show stable or improving trends over time in key domains; specific results for St Joseph’s Molong can be obtained from NSW NAPLAN data or the school. - Student-teacher ratios: Small class environments enable more targeted teaching; typical ratios in rural primary settings are around 1:12 to 1:20, depending on year level. - Support for diverse learners: Inclusive education approach with differentiation, targeted supports, and access to EAL and SEN assistance as needed. Note: Verify current programs and supports with the school to get exact offerings and targets. --- ## 3. Sports & Extracurricular Strengths - Sports offered: Common primary sports such as soccer, netball, cricket, rugby league, and athletics; opportunities to participate in school and community fixtures. - Strong teams or achievements: Small-school environments often foster teamwork and school pride; look for regional or diocesan fixtures and celebrations of participation and effort. - Music, arts, drama programs: Opportunities to engage in singing, school choir or ensembles, and performing arts activities aligned with the Catholic school culture. - Clubs: Robotics, chess, coding, debating and other technology/critical-thinking activities may be offered or facilitated through partnerships or after-school programs. - Partnerships: Connections with local community groups, regional sports associations, and diocesan networks for competitions, ensembles or festivals. Most parents skim this section first, especially for boys aged 10–14, so the emphasis is on accessible activities, team opportunities, and creative outlets. --- ## 4. Wellbeing & Pastoral Care - Anti-bullying approach: Values-based programs and restorative practices aimed at building respectful relationships and a safe school environment. - House system: Common in Australian Catholic primary schools to foster belonging, teamwork and healthy competition. - Counsellors / wellbeing officers: Access to wellbeing support and a designated point of contact for student welfare needs. - Transition support for new students: Welcome programs, buddy systems and classroom strategies to ease transitions for new students and families. This section is designed to build trust with families by highlighting care, safety and a supportive culture. --- ## 5. Facilities - Sports grounds: On-site play spaces and playgrounds linked to school activities. - Libraries: A school library to support reading for pleasure and research. - Science labs: Dedicated spaces for hands-on science learning (as available in a small rural setting). - Music/performing arts centers: A music room or shared performing arts space to support movement, singing and instrumental activities. - Tech/innovation labs: ICT equipment and digital learning resources integrated into the curriculum. - Cafeteria: On-site canteen or lunch facilities (availability may vary). - Updated playgrounds: Modern, age-appropriate play areas and outdoor learning spaces. Visual and simple presentation helps parents picture the learning environment. --- ## 6. School Values & Community Culture - School values / mission: Catholic values at the core—compassion, respect, responsibility, service to others—integrated across daily learning and community life. - Leadership style: Collaborative and servant-leadership approach, with opportunities for student involvement in school initiatives. - Behaviour expectations: Positive behaviour framework focused on respect, responsibility and care for others. - Community reputation: Built on a close-knit, faith-based community with active parental involvement and diocesan connections. - Diversity & inclusion: Inclusive culture that welcomes families from varied backgrounds and supports all students to participate and belong. --- ## 7. School Logistics & Daily Operations - School hours: Typical Australian primary day; start and finish times align with local norms and may include before/after school care options. - Before/after school care: Often available or coordinated through local providers; check exact arrangements with the school. - Uniform requirements: Standard school uniform with seasonal options; guidance on dress code provided by the school. - Transport: Local bus routes and family transport arrangements commonly used; confirm current transport options with the school. - Canteen availability: Canteen or lunch facilities may be available on-site or via arrangements; check current offerings. - Fees: Fees are generally moderate, with additional costs for uniforms, excursions and some activities. Note: Specific hours, care options, uniform details, transport routes and fee amounts should be confirmed with the school. --- ## 8. Enrolment & Admissions 11. What is the enrolment process and timeline? - Submit an enrolment application with required documents (birth certificate, proof of address, baptism certificate for Catholic families, immunisation record where applicable). - Complete any school-specific forms and attend an information session or orientation if offered. - Interview or meeting with the principal or enrolling staff may be requested, particularly for new families. - Notification and confirmation of placement, with timelines varying by intake period and vacancies. 12. Is there a waiting list, and how does it work? - Waiting lists are common when applications exceed vacancies. Priority may be given to siblings of current students and Catholic families within the diocese. - If offered a place, families typically have a set timeframe to accept or decline. 13. Are there any entry requirements, tests, or interviews? - Generally, there are no formal academic entrance tests for primary-aged entry. - An enrolment interview or meeting may occur to discuss the child’s needs, family expectations, faith formation, and support requirements. - Documentation such as baptism certificate (for Catholic families) and immunisation records may be requested. 14. Does the school accept mid-year transfers? - Mid-year transfers are possible if there is vacancy and the child’s needs fit with the cohort and timetable. - Parents are advised to contact the school as early as possible to discuss options and arrange a transfer process. --- ## 9. Frequently Asked Questions - Why Parents Choose This School? - A faith-based, values-driven environment with small class sizes, strong community involvement, and a focus on the whole child. - What type of student thrives at this school? - Students who respond well to a supportive, close-knit learning environment, value community and faith-based education, and benefit from individualized attention. - What opportunities are available for students to extend their skills (academics, sports, arts)? - Emphasis on literacy and numeracy, leadership opportunities, and enrichment in STEM, arts and music; participation in sports, clubs and community events. - How does the school communicate with parents? - Regular newsletters, parent-teacher meetings, and a school communication platform or portal; reports and updates on student progress. - What is the school’s approach to teaching and learning? - Student-centered learning with differentiation, integration of Catholic values, and use of technology to support learning and engagement. - How does the school support students who need extra academic help? - Targeted interventions, small-group supports, and parent-teacher collaboration to tailor assistance; access to SEN/EAL supports as needed. - What support is available for academic challenges? - Early identification, personalised plans, and additional tutoring or resource allocation where appropriate. - What are the class sizes and how much individual attention do students receive? - Small class sizes (roughly 18–24 students per class) enable more individualized attention and closer teacher–student relationships. - What extracurricular and sports opportunities are available? - A range of sports and physical activities, plus clubs in robotics, chess, coding, debating, and arts opportunities depending on term offerings. - What facilities does the school offer (sports, science, arts)? - Sports facilities, library, science space, music/arts room, ICT facilities and a canteen or dining area, plus outdoor play spaces. - What is the school’s approach to technology and digital learning? - Integration of ICT and digital tools into the curriculum with an emphasis on safe technology use and digital literacy. - What transport and accessibility options are available? - Local bus routes and other transport options; information on accessibility and support for families with transportation needs. - What are the typical school fees or additional costs? - Fees are generally moderate, with additional costs for uniforms, excursions and some activities. Confirm exact amounts with the school. --- ## 10. Short Pros & Cons - Pros - Small class sizes allow personalized attention and strong teacher–student relationships - Catholic, values-based education with a supportive, close-knit community - Emphasis on holistic development, including wellbeing, faith formation, and leadership - Broad extracurricular options and opportunities for enrichment - Accessible to families in Molong and surrounding rural areas - Cons (considerations) - Smaller school may have fewer specialist programs or facilities than larger city schools - Limited course breadth compared to larger networks (subject offerings may be narrower) - Transport options depend on local arrangements and may require coordination - Availability of certain clubs or teams may vary by term and cohort size Note: Always verify current offerings, schedules and policies with the school directly.