## 1. Overview
St Mary’s Catholic Primary School Bunbury is a Catholic, co-educational primary school serving families in Bunbury and surrounding areas. The school blends faith, value-driven learning and community spirit to create a welcoming, nurturing environment for children in the early years through to upper primary.
The school is small-to-medium in size with class sizes that promote close teacher–student relationships and personalized support. The atmosphere is warm and inclusive, balancing academic achievement with strong pastoral care and faith formation.
## 2. Academics & Learning
- Academic strengths: Focus on strong literacy and numeracy foundations, with integrated religious education. Students are encouraged to explore STEM activities, practical problem solving and critical thinking within a faith-based context.
- Special programs: Catholic faith formation and sacramental preparation; targeted literacy and numeracy interventions; opportunities for extension in maths and literacy where appropriate.
- NAPLAN trends: Consistent year-to-year progress in key literacy and numeracy areas, with ongoing efforts to consolidate gains and support any learning gaps.
- Student-teacher ratios: Typically around 1:20 (varies by year level and class).
- Support for diverse learners: Inclusive education approach with EAL support, assistance for students with additional learning needs (SEN) and Individual Education Plans where required.
## 3. Sports & Extracurricular Strengths
- Sports offered: Interschool athletics, football (soccer), netball, cricket, basketball and cross-country activities; opportunities to participate in local sporting events and events with nearby schools.
- Strong teams or achievements: Active participation in interschool competitions with a focus on teamwork, sportsmanship and personal bests.
- Music, arts, drama programs: School choir or vocal programs, opportunities in music and performing arts, with occasional drama productions.
- Clubs: Robotics, chess, coding, debating and other student-led clubs to build problem-solving and teamwork skills.
- Partnerships: Local community and sporting clubs, opportunities to participate in regional competitions and collaborations with nearby schools for events and festivals.
## 4. Wellbeing & Pastoral Care
- Anti-bullying approach: Clear anti-bullying policies, proactive pastoral care, and a focus on respectful relationships and digital citizenship.
- House system: House-based activities and leadership opportunities to foster belonging and healthy competition.
- Counsellors / wellbeing officers: Access to wellbeing staff and/or chaplaincy support to help students with social-emotional learning and resilience.
- Transition support for new students: Welcome programs, orientation sessions, buddy systems and gradual transition plans to help new students settle in.
## 5. Facilities
- Sports grounds: Outdoor playing fields and courts suitable for a range of ball games and activities.
- Libraries: A welcoming library space for independent reading, guided reading and research.
- Science labs: Facilities to support hands-on experiments and STEM activities.
- Music/performing arts centers: Space for music practice, rehearsals and performances.
- Tech/innovation labs: Access to basic digital learning tools and hands-on technology activities.
- Cafeteria: On-site canteen or cafeteria area for healthy meal options.
- Updated playgrounds: Safe and modern play spaces to support active play and break times.
## 6. School Values & Community Culture
- School values / mission: A faith-based mission that emphasises respect, compassion, responsibility, integrity and service to others.
- Leadership style: Collaborative leadership with opportunities for student voice through student councils and leadership roles within classrooms and house activities.
- Behaviour expectations: Clear expectations around respectful behaviour, responsibility and kindness, supported by the school’s values framework.
- Community reputation: A welcoming, family-oriented school with strong ties to parish and local community.
- Diversity & inclusion: Commitment to welcoming families from diverse backgrounds and providing inclusive learning opportunities.
## 7. School Logistics & Daily Operations
- School hours: Typical start and finish times for primary grades, with small variations by year level.
- Before/after school care: Availability of before and after school care or supervision options.
- Uniform requirements: Clear uniform policy with specified attire for everyday wear and any special dress days.
- Transport: Information on bus routes or public transport access where available, along with parking and drop-off zones.
- Canteen availability: On-site canteen or lunch options during the day.
- Fees: Fee ranges aligned with typical primary school charges, including any excursion or activity costs; details vary by year level and family circumstances.
## 8. Enrolment & Admissions
11. What is the enrolment process and timeline?
- Generally, families express interest, submit an application form, provide required documentation (birth certificate, immunisation records, etc.), and follow the school’s designated intake timeline. Interviews or welcome meetings may be part of the process, and notification timelines are shared by the school.
12. Is there a waiting list, and how does it work?
- Many primary schools maintain a waiting list when enrolments exceed available places. Families on the list are updated about openings in order of date of application and any sibling priority policies.
13. Are there any entry requirements, tests, or interviews?
- Admission typically involves assessment of eligibility and alignment with the school’s values. Some schools may conduct informal interviews or discussions with families, particularly for new entrants or transitional years.
14. Does the school accept mid-year transfers?
- Mid-year transfers are often considered subject to available places and a smooth transition plan for the student, including meeting curriculum and support needs.
## 9. Frequently Asked Questions
- Why Parents Choose This School?
- A faith-based community with strong pastoral care, small-to-medium class sizes, and a focus on values-based education alongside solid academics.
- What type of student thrives at this school?
- Students who respond well to a nurturing, inclusive environment with opportunities to participate in faith formation, small-class learning and active participation in sports and clubs.
- What opportunities are available for students to extend their skills (academics, sports, arts)?
- Extended literacy/numeracy support and enrichment, STEM activities, sports teams, performing arts and music programs, and clubs like robotics, coding and debating.
- How does the school communicate with parents?
- Regular notices, newsletters, parent-teacher meetings and digital platforms for updates on learning progress, events and school news.
- What is the school’s approach to teaching and learning?
- A balanced approach combining core academic skills with faith formation, values education and social-emotional learning, delivered through differentiated instruction.
- How does the school support students who need extra academic help?
- Targeted interventions in literacy and numeracy, small-group support, and adjustments to learning plans as needed.
- What support is available for academic challenges?
- Access to classroom differentiation, specialist assistance where available, and collaboration with families to set achievable goals.
- How does the school communicate with parents? (Duplicate)
- See above.
- What are the class sizes and how much individual attention do students receive?
- Class sizes typically around 20–25 students, enabling regular teacher–student interaction and targeted feedback.
- What extracurricular and sports opportunities are available?
- Interschool sports, music and drama opportunities, plus clubs such as robotics, chess, coding and debating.
- What facilities does the school offer (sports, science, arts)?
- Sports grounds, library, science labs, music/performing arts spaces, tech/innovation areas and a canteen.
- What is the school’s approach to technology and digital learning?
- Integration of basic digital tools and age-appropriate technology activities to support learning and digital citizenship.
- What transport and accessibility options are available?
- Local transport options and parent-friendly drop-off/pick-up arrangements; specifics available from the school.
- What are the typical school fees or additional costs?
- Fees vary by year level and family circumstances; the school information pack provides a current breakdown and any additional costs for excursions or activities.
## 10. Short Pros & Cons list
- Pros
- Strong sense of community and faith-based values.
- Small-to-medium class sizes promoting individual attention.
- Comprehensive wellbeing and pastoral care.
- Range of extracurriculars including sports, arts and clubs.
- Inclusive approach with support for diverse learners.
- Cons
- Limited specialist facilities compared to larger urban schools (shared resources may be needed for some programs).
- Availability of certain clubs or programs may depend on student demand and staffing.
- Transport options may be more limited outside major city hubs; check local routes and schedules.
