St Joseph's School

## Overview St Joseph’s Catholic School Cairns is a Catholic, co-educational primary school that seeks to nurture the whole child—spiritually, academically and socially. The school emphasises faith-based learning, a caring community and inclusive values that support each child’s growth. With a small-to-medium school footprint, class sizes are typically around 20–25 students, which helps foster individual attention and a supportive classroom culture. The atmosphere Is generally described as nurturing and welcoming, with a strong sense of community and a focus on helping students develop empathy, resilience and leadership skills. ⸻ ## Academics & Learning - Academic strengths: Strong foundations in English and Mathematics, robust Religious Education, and opportunities to engage in STEM activities and digital literacy. Emphasis on developing reading fluency, writing, numeracy, and critical thinking alongside values-based learning. - Special programs: Access to relevant Catholic Education programs, leadership opportunities and gifted/talented pathways where available. Some students may participate in extension activities or accelerated learning options as offered. - NAPLAN / trends: Historical trends show steady progress in key domains (e.g., reading and numeracy) with outcomes that align with or exceed local/state averages over time. For the latest year-by-year trends, check the school’s published reports. - Student-teacher ratios: Typically around 1:20 to 1:25, allowing for supportive, differentiated instruction and more targeted feedback. - Support for diverse learners: Inclusive education approach with support for diverse learners, including targeted assistance for students needing extra English as an Additional Language (EAL) help or learning support (SEN) where required. ⸻ ## Sports & Extracurricular Strengths - Sports offered: Soccer, cricket, netball/basketball, athletics and other common primary-school activities. Involvement in inter-school and regional sport programs is encouraged. - Strong teams or achievements: Participation in local and regional competitions and team-based events, with emphasis on teamwork, sportsmanship and personal development. - Music, arts, drama programs: Active involvement in music and performing arts, including choir or band opportunities and school productions where available. - Clubs: Robotics, chess, coding, debating and other interest-based clubs support varied student interests and tech literacy. - Partnerships: Engagement with local sporting clubs and interschool competitions; collaboration with community and parish programs to extend learning beyond the classroom. ⸻ ## Wellbeing & Pastoral Care - Anti-bullying approach: Proactive, whole-school approach to safety and respectful behaviour, with clear expectations and restorative practices to support positive relationships. - House system: House groups create a sense of belonging and healthy competition, with regular activities and events to foster unity and leadership. - Counsellors / wellbeing officers: Access to a school counsellor or wellbeing staff member to support student mental health, social-emotional learning and personal development. - Transition support for new students: Orientation and transition programs to help new students settle in, build relationships and understand routines and expectations. ⸻ ## Facilities - Sports grounds: On-site playing fields or courts suitable for outdoor sport and active break times. - Libraries: Well-stocked library with a range of fiction and non-fiction titles to support reading and research. - Science labs: Dedicated spaces for hands-on science activities and experiments. - Music/performing arts centers: Facilities or rooms dedicated to music and drama activities and performances. - Tech/innovation labs: Access to technology-enabled learning spaces and digital projects to build ICT skills. - Cafeteria: On-site canteen or lunch facilities to support healthy eating and community meals. - Updated playgrounds: Safe play areas that support active play and outdoor learning. ⸻ ## School Values & Community Culture - School values / mission: Core values often include faith, respect, responsibility, compassion and service, guiding behaviour and decision-making. - Leadership style: Student leadership opportunities (e.g., junior captain roles, prefects or student council) supported by teachers and pastoral staff; collaborative and service-oriented leadership. - Behaviour expectations: Clear code of conduct with restorative approaches to conflict, promoting accountability and positive relationships. - Community reputation: Strong sense of parish and family involvement; welcoming and supportive school community with active parent networks. - Diversity & inclusion: Commitment to inclusive education and celebrating diverse backgrounds, abilities and talents. ⸻ ## School Logistics & Daily Operations - School hours: Typical school day runs during standard hours with defined start and finish times; note that exact times can vary by year level and term. - Before/after school care: Availability of before- and after-school care or supervision programs to support families. - Uniform requirements: School uniform policy with guidance on appropriate daily dress and sporting gear; requirements may include hat, polo/shirt, skirt/p shorts, and appropriate footwear. - Transport (train/bus routes): Access to public transport routes and information for families; consider designated drop-off/pick-up zones and parking arrangements. - Canteen availability: On-site or school-supported lunch options to support morning tea and lunch needs. - Fees (low/medium/high ranges): Fees vary by school sector and year level; Catholic independent primary schools typically have moderate fees relative to other private options. Check the school’s current fee schedule for exact amounts. ⸻ ## Enrolment & Admissions 11. What is the enrolment process and timeline? - Submit an enrolment application and any required documentation (birth certificate, immunisation records, etc.). The school will outline the timeline for application, shortlisting, interviews (if applicable), and final offers. Orientation and enrolment confirmation typically occur before the new school year. 12. Is there a waiting list, and how does it work? - Some year levels may have limited places, resulting in a waiting list. Applications are generally placed in a queue by date of submission, with offers made as spaces become available. The school can provide an estimate of wait times based on current intake and year level. 13. Are there any entry requirements, tests, or interviews? - Entry requirements vary; many Catholic primary schools do not require formal entrance exams but may conduct informal interviews or conversations with families and students. Some schools may request baptism/catholic family information or supporting documents. Specific requirements are provided by the school’s admissions team. 14. Does the school accept mid-year transfers? - Mid-year transfers can be possible if places are available. Transfers typically require submission of official records (transcripts, current assessments) and may involve alignment with the school’s curriculum, orientation processes, and a review of class placement. ⸻ ## Frequently Asked Questions - Why Parents Choose This School? - Many families value the combination of faith-based education, supportive teachers, and a nurturing community that prioritises the whole child. - What type of student thrives at this school? - Students who are engaged, respectful, collaborative and curious tend to thrive, especially those who value a supportive community and good relationships with teachers. - What opportunities are available for students to extend their skills (academics, sports, arts)? - A range of programs and clubs supports academics, arts, music, sports, technology and leadership development; competitive and performance opportunities are available through school-based teams and community partnerships. - How does the school communicate with parents? - Regular updates via newsletters, emails, a parent portal/app, and school notices; events and parent-teacher conferences are commonly offered. - What is the school’s approach to teaching and learning? - A student-centered approach that blends direct instruction with inquiry, collaboration and hands-on learning, supported by integration of technology and religious education. - How does the school support students who need extra academic help? - Targeted in-class support, small-group interventions, and access to learning support staff or specialists as needed. - What support is available for academic challenges? - Differentiated instruction, early identification of learning needs, and collaboration with families to implement appropriate strategies. - How does the school communicate with parents? (repeat) - 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 around 20–25 students, with teachers able to provide targeted feedback and small-group support as part of the daily routine. - What extracurricular and sports opportunities are available? - A range of sports, arts, music and clubs (e.g., robotics, chess, coding, debating) with opportunities to participate in interschool and community events. - What facilities does the school offer (sports, science, arts)? - Sports grounds, libraries, science labs, music/performing arts spaces, tech/innovation labs, and canteen facilities, plus updated playgrounds. - What is the school’s approach to technology and digital learning? - Integrated ICT across learning areas, with emphasis on digital literacy, safe online practices and responsible use of technology. - What transport and accessibility options are available? - Access to local transport routes and information for families; details about parking, drop-off zones and accessibility arrangements are provided by the school. - What are typical school fees or additional costs? - Fees cover education and some activities; additional costs may include uniforms, excursions and some extracurricular programs. Visit the school for the current fee schedule. ⸻ ## Short Pros & Cons list - Pros - Catholic, values-based education with a nurturing, inclusive culture - Small-to-medium class sizes that support individual attention - Strong pastoral care, student wellbeing and transition support - Broad range of extracurriculars including clubs (robotics, coding, chess, debating) and arts - Engagement with technology and digital learning within a supportive framework - Active community and parish involvement - Cons - Fees may be higher than public schools; families should review current schedules - Availability of places can be limited in some year levels (possible waiting lists) - Some specialised programs or advanced pathways may be limited by cohort size - Location-specific transport options may require planning for some families ⸻