St Mary of the Angels Primary School - Guyra

1. Overview (1–2 paragraphs max) St Mary of the Angels Primary School is a Catholic, community-focused school in Guyra, NSW. As a small rural school, it emphasises a nurturing and inclusive atmosphere where students are known and supported. The school blends faith-based values with solid academic foundations, encouraging every child to grow in confidence, kindness, and responsibility. Class sizes are small, fostering strong student–teacher relationships and personalised learning. The overall culture is welcoming and collaborative, with an emphasis on character development, resilience, and service to others. ⸻ 2. Academics & Learning • Academic strengths: strong literacy and numeracy foundations, a faith-integrated curriculum, and opportunities for leadership and personal development. The school places emphasis on hands-on learning, inquiry, and real-world connections across subjects. • Special programs: supportive targeted literacy and numeracy interventions, opportunities for small-group extension in key subject areas, and a focus on student well-being within learning. Gifted and talented pathways may be available depending on enrolments and staffing. • NAPLAN / trends: steady progress in literacy and numeracy across cohorts is typical for a small school, with a focus on continuing improvement through targeted classroom strategies and sustained teacher collaboration. • Student-teacher ratios: small class sizes with a favorable student–teacher ratio (roughly in the low-to-mid teens per class in many year levels), supported by learning support staff where needed. • Support for diverse learners: inclusive education practices, access to learning support teachers or aides, and pathways to support for students requiring EAL/SEN adjustments. ⸻ 3. Sports & Extracurricular Strengths • Sports offered: core rural NSW offerings such as soccer, rugby league or football, netball, cricket, athletics, swimming, and cross-country events. Inter-school and diocese-related competition are common. • Strong teams or achievements: regular participation in regional inter-school events with a focus on teamwork, fair play, and personal bests; opportunities to represent the school in local fixtures. • Music, arts, drama programs: school choir or vocal ensembles, basic instrumental options, annual drama or musical presentations, and opportunities to participate in school productions. • Clubs: robotics, coding, chess, debating and other enrichment activities available to interested students as capacity allows. • Partnerships: connections with local clubs, community groups, and regional sporting or arts academies to broaden opportunities and competitions. ⸻ 4. Wellbeing & Pastoral Care • Anti-bullying approach: proactive, with clear anti-bullying policies and restorative practices to support respectful relationships and a positive school climate. • House system: a house structure supports teamwork, leadership opportunities, and a sense of belonging across year levels. • Counsellors / wellbeing officers: access to a school-based counsellor or wellbeing coordinator to support social, emotional, and mental health needs. • Transition support for new students: orientation programs, buddy systems, and staff involvement to help new students settle in smoothly and build connections quickly. ⸻ 5. Facilities • Sports grounds: well-maintained playing fields and courts suitable for a range of sports and physical activities. • Libraries: a dedicated library space for reading, study, and research with age-appropriate resources. • Science labs: basic science facilities to support hands-on experiments and investigations. • Music/performing arts centers: space for music, drama rehearsals, and small-scale performances. • Tech/innovation labs: computer or ICT resources to support digital learning and coding activities. • Cafeteria: on-site canteen or lunch facilities supporting healthy meal options. • Updated playgrounds: age-appropriate play areas and outdoor learning spaces. ⸻ 6. School Values & Community Culture • School values / mission: grounded in Catholic identity with emphasis on Respect, Responsibility, Compassion, Service, and Faith. • Leadership style: student leadership opportunities coupled with collaborative decision-making among staff, parents, and the wider school community. • Behaviour expectations: clear, positive behavior expectations informed by restorative practices and consistent routines. • Community reputation: known for a warm, welcoming community where families feel supported and staff partner closely with parents. • Diversity & inclusion: inclusive culture that supports diverse learners and promotes a sense of belonging for every student. ⸻ 7. School Logistics & Daily Operations • School hours: typical day runs from around 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, with routines that support mornings, breaks, and transition times. • Before/after school care: available options may include on-site programs or partnerships with local providers to extend care beyond school hours. • Uniform requirements: school uniform with seasonal options; clear guidelines for presentation and maintenance. • Transport (train/bus routes): local bus routes or family drop-off/pick-up arrangements; contact the school for specific transport details. • Canteen availability: on-site canteen or tuck shop during recess and lunch periods, offering healthy meal and snack options. • Fees (low/medium/high ranges): fees are typically in the low-to-medium range for a small Catholic primary; inclusions may cover standard resources, activities, and essential programs. ⸻ 8. Enrolment & Admissions 11. What is the enrolment process and timeline? • Steps typically include: submitting an enrolment form, providing required documents (birth certificate, baptism data where relevant, immunisation records), and an initial meeting or interview with the principal or enrolment officer. The timeline often accommodates the start of the new school year, with decisions communicated a few months ahead of term start. 12. Is there a waiting list, and how does it work? • Waiting lists may apply when year levels reach capacity. Applicants not admitted immediately are placed on a waiting list, with priority often given to siblings and Catholic families, then by date of application, and availability of spaces. 13. Are there any entry requirements, tests, or interviews? • Generally, Catholic primary schools focus on family and parish involvement, alignment with school values, and readiness for the curriculum. Some schools may request a brief interview or meeting with families; most do not require formal entrance exams for primary ages. Specific requirements are provided at the time of application. 14. Does the school accept mid-year transfers? • Mid-year transfers may be considered if there is space in the relevant year level. Families should contact the school early to discuss eligibility, transfer documents, and any transitional arrangements. ⸻ 9. Frequently Asked Questions • Why Parents Choose This School? Parents value the strong sense of community, faith-based values, personalised attention, and a nurturing environment that supports academic and personal growth. • What type of student thrives at this school? Students who appreciate a close-knit community, supportive relationships with teachers, and opportunities to contribute to school life through clubs, leadership, and service. • What opportunities are available for students to extend their skills (academics, sports, arts)? Access to leadership roles, enhanced literacy and numeracy programs, inter-school sports, music and drama programs, and clubs such as robotics or chess. • How does the school communicate with parents? Regular newsletters, parent-teacher meetings, phone or SMS updates, a school app or portal for notices, and clear channels through the front office and year coordinators. • What is the school’s approach to teaching and learning? A student-centered, hands-on approach that integrates faith values, supports diverse learners, and uses targeted interventions to boost essential skills. • How does the school support students who need extra academic help? Targeted literacy and numeracy support, small-group sessions, learning support staff, and collaboration with families to track progress. • What support is available for academic challenges? Individual learning plans, access to specialists, adjustments to pace or materials, and ongoing communication with parents about progress. • How does the school communicate with parents? See above—multiple channels to ensure timely and accessible information is shared. • What are the class sizes and how much individual attention do students receive? Class sizes are small, enabling more one-on-one time with teachers and more frequent feedback to support growth. • What extracurricular and sports opportunities are available? A range of sports and clubs, including inter-school competition, music and drama activities, and enrichment clubs like robotics and chess. • What facilities does the school offer (sports, science, arts)? Comprehensive facilities including sports grounds, library, science labs, music/arts spaces, and technology resources. • What is the school’s approach to technology and digital learning? Integration of ICT in learning, age-appropriate technology use, and digital literacy to prepare students for the modern world. • What transport and accessibility options are available? Bus routes where available, family-based transport arrangements, and accessible facilities to support all students. • What are typical school fees or additional costs? Fees are generally in the low-to-medium range for a Catholic primary, with possible additional costs for excursions, camps, and specific activities. ⸻ 10. Short Pros & Cons list Pros - Strong sense of community and supportive, nurturing environment - Small class sizes and personal attention from teachers - Catholic values integrated with academic learning - Wide range of clubs and extracurricular opportunities - Clear focus on wellbeing, inclusion, and student leadership Cons - Rural location may mean fewer on-site facilities or local programs than larger urban schools - Limited year-level capacity can lead to waiting lists for popular grades - Some programs and activities may depend on enrolment numbers and staffing - Travel required for certain inter-school events or external partnerships ⸻