St Mary's Catholic College

## 1. Overview St Mary's Catholic College Woree is a Catholic, co-educational secondary school serving the Cairns region (years 7–12). As a Catholic education community, the college emphasises faith-based formation alongside academic development, fostering a supportive and values-driven environment. The school is large, with a diverse student body and a culture focused on inclusion, community involvement, and holistic development. Class sizes are typically in the low-to-mid 20s, which supports individual attention while maintaining the energy of a big-school experience. --- ## 2. Academics & Learning - Academic strengths: Strong emphasis on English/literacy, robust STEM programs, leadership development, and a broad approach to languages and humanities. - Special programs: Gifted and Talented opportunities, accelerated learning options, and extension activities integrated within the curriculum. - NAPLAN / trends: NAPLAN results at the school level have shown consistent performance with strengths in reading and numeracy; trends generally indicate stability or improvement over recent years. - Student-teacher ratios: Roughly in the range of 1:12 to 1:18, varying by year level and subject. - Support for diverse learners: EAL support, dedicated learning support personnel, and SEN programs to assist students with diverse learning needs. --- ## 3. Sports & Extracurricular Strengths - Sports offered: Basketball, netball, football (soccer), rugby league, cricket, tennis, athletics, and swimming across seasons. - Strong teams or achievements: Regular participation in regional competitions with competitive parish/Catholic Education teams; opportunities for representative pathways. - Music, arts, drama programs: Comprehensive music and performing arts offerings, school productions, concerts, and ensembles. - Clubs: Robotics, coding, chess, debating, sustainability/environmental clubs, and other interest-based groups. - Partnerships: Local community and regional clubs/associations linked to sport, arts, and academic competitions; participation in regional school events and Catholic Education activities. Note: This section highlights typical strengths for the school community and may vary by year and cohort. --- ## 4. Wellbeing & Pastoral Care - Anti-bullying approach: Clear anti-bullying policies and restorative practices aimed at building respectful relationships and quick resolution of issues. - House system: House groups to support camaraderie, leadership development, and healthy competition in sports and events. - Counsellors / wellbeing officers: Access to school counsellors and wellbeing staff to support student welfare, academic planning, and personal development. - Transition support for new students: Orientation programs, buddy systems, and pastoral care channels to help incoming students settle in. --- ## 5. Facilities - Sports grounds: On-site sports fields and courts supporting a range of activities. - Libraries: Well-equipped library spaces for study, research, and collaboration. - Science labs: Modern science laboratories supporting practical experiments across disciplines. - Music/performing arts centers: Dedicated spaces for music practice, rehearsals, and performances. - Tech/innovation labs: ICT and higher-level learning spaces for technology, coding, and digital projects. - Cafeteria: On-site canteen/cafeteria serving meals and snacks. - Updated playgrounds: Outdoor spaces designed for recreation and socialisation during breaks. --- ## 6. School Values & Community Culture - School values / mission: Catholic faith formation blended with academic excellence, service, and community-minded leadership. - Leadership style: Collaborative and student-centred, with opportunities for student voice through committees and roles. - Behaviour expectations: Clear codes of conduct aligned with respect, responsibility, and integrity. - Community reputation: Generally positive within the local community, reflecting a commitment to faith-based education and holistic student development. - Diversity & inclusion: Inclusive culture that welcomes students from diverse backgrounds and promotes belonging. --- ## 7. School Logistics & Daily Operations - School hours: Typical Queensland secondary school day with start and finish in the standard range; exact times published by the college each year. - Before/after school care: After-school supervision and care options often available or arranged through partner providers; check current offerings. - Uniform requirements: School uniform expected; details provided by the college (uniform shop and specifications). - Transport (train/bus routes): Public transport options and school-connected bus services available in the Cairns region; families are encouraged to check current timetables and routes. - Canteen availability: On-site canteen or lunch facilities with daily offerings. - Fees (low/medium/high ranges): Catholic secondary school fees typically fall in a mid-to-upper range for the region; precise figures are provided on enrolment materials and the college’s fee schedule. --- ## 8. Enrolment & Admissions 11. What is the enrolment process and timeline? - Submit an enrolment application with required documentation. - Complete any school-specific steps (interview/appointment with enrolments staff, information session). - Receive enrolment decision and confirm placement within the family’s preferred intake year. 12. Is there a waiting list, and how does it work? - Waiting lists may apply if the year level is at capacity; placement on the list is typically time-ordered and dependent on space availability and priority rules. 13. Are there any entry requirements, tests, or interviews? - Most Catholic secondary schools require an enrolment interview or meeting and may request documentation to establish eligibility and enrolment fit; testing requirements vary and are communicated during the enrolment process. 14. Does the school accept mid-year transfers? - Mid-year transfers can be possible if there is available space; timing and documentation requirements apply and are handled by the enrolments team. --- ## 9. Frequently Asked Questions - Why Parents Choose This School? - A strong combination of Catholic values, solid academic programs, robust pastoral care, and active community involvement. - What type of student thrives at this school? - Students who value faith-based community, service-mindedness, and a balanced focus on academics and extra-curriculars. - What opportunities are available for students to extend their skills (academics, sports, arts)? - Access to Gifted & Talented options, accelerated learning, leadership opportunities, diverse sports teams, arts programs, and various clubs. - How does the school communicate with parents? - Regular updates through newsletters, emails, parent portals, and scheduled information evenings; proactive communication around student progress and events. - What is the school’s approach to teaching and learning? - A values-driven, student-centred approach with a mix of classroom learning, practical activities, and pastoral support; emphasis on literacy, numeracy, and critical thinking. - How does the school support students who need extra academic help? - Learning support staff, targeted interventions, EAL support, and SEN services as part of an inclusive learning environment. - What support is available for academic challenges? - Access to tutoring, study supports, and guidance from teachers and wellbeing staff to help students stay on track. - How does the school communicate with parents? (repeat) - See above: regular digital and in-person updates, progress reports, and parent-teacher communications. - What are the class sizes and how much individual attention do students receive? - Class sizes typically in the low-to-mid 20s, with teacher support available across subjects to assist individual learning needs. - What extracurricular and sports opportunities are available? - A broad range of sports, music and arts, robotics, coding, debating, and other clubs to suit diverse interests. - What facilities does the school offer (sports, science, arts)? - Comprehensive facilities including sports grounds, libraries, science labs, performing arts spaces, tech/innovation labs, and a canteen. - What is the school’s approach to technology and digital learning? - Integrated digital learning with access to ICT resources and dedicated spaces for coding and technology projects. - What transport and accessibility options are available? - Local bus routes and public transport options serving the Cairns area; specifics depend on current routes and schedules. - What are the typical school fees or additional costs? - Fees are in the mid-to-high range for the region; exact figures are provided in the enrolment information and fee schedule. --- ## 10. Short Pros & Cons list - Pros - Strong Catholic identity with values-based education - Comprehensive academics and a range of extracurriculars - Supportive wellbeing and pastoral care - Wide facilities for learning, arts, and sport - Inclusive environment with opportunities for diverse learners - Cons - Large school environment can feel bustling; targeted support may require proactive engagement - Fees and uniform costs are an ongoing consideration - Space availability may affect mid-year transfers or year-level entries in some years