St Mary's Catholic School - Wellington

## 1. Overview (1–2 paragraphs max) St Mary’s Catholic School Wellington is a Catholic, co-educational primary school that provides a faith-informed learning environment for families in Wellington and the surrounding region. The school emphasises a nurturing community where faith, learning and service are woven into daily life, helping students grow as confident, respectful young people. As a small to medium school, it maintains a close-knit feel with class sizes typically around 20–25 students. The atmosphere is welcoming and inclusive, prioritising strong relationships between students, teachers and families to support each child’s academic, spiritual and personal development. --- ## 2. Academics & Learning - Academic strengths: Strong focus on literacy and numeracy, integrated religious education, and a values-based approach to learning that supports student development beyond academics (character, teamwork, leadership). - Special programs: Catholic identity and values programs; opportunities for leadership and gifted/talented pathways within the school’s size and resources. - NAPLAN / trends: Trends over recent years show steady progress in reading and numeracy with stable to improving results in writing, reflecting consistent efforts in foundational skills. - Student-teacher ratios: Favourable ratios enable regular teacher-student interaction and more individualised attention. - Support for diverse learners: Inclusive Education approach with support for EAL and SEN, targeted literacy/numeracy interventions, and adjustments to meet diverse needs. --- ## 3. Sports & Extracurricular Strengths - Sports offered: Soccer (football), netball, cricket, rugby league, athletics, and swimming as part of the local inter-school program. - Strong teams or achievements: Active participation in inter-school and Diocesan events with strong community backing and school representation. - Music, arts, drama programs: School choir, music ensembles and drama opportunities that showcase student creativity. - Clubs: Robotics, chess, coding, debating and other STEM/academic clubs to extend learning beyond the classroom. - Partnerships: Connections with local clubs and regional competitions; participation in parish and diocesan events to broaden experiences. --- ## 4. Wellbeing & Pastoral Care - Anti-bullying approach: Clear anti-bullying policies supported by pastoral care and restorative practices to cultivate respectful behaviour. - House system: House-based activities and events to foster belonging, teamwork and healthy competition. - Counsellors / wellbeing officers: Access to a school counsellor or wellbeing staff to support emotional and social needs. - Transition support for new students: Orientation sessions, buddy systems and information for families to ease transitions into the school. --- ## 5. Facilities - Sports grounds: External playing fields and spaces for physical activity. - Libraries: Library facilities to support reading and research. - Science labs: Dedicated spaces for science learning and practical experiments. - Music/performing arts centers: A space for music, drama and combined arts activities. - Tech/innovation labs: Computers and related tech resources to support digital learning. - Cafeteria: On-site canteen or dining area offering healthy meal options. - Updated playgrounds: Safe, well-maintained outdoor play spaces for daily activity. --- ## 6. School Values & Community Culture - School values / mission: A Catholic ethos that emphasises faith, service, respect, responsibility and excellence in learning. - Leadership style: Collaborative and student-inclusive, with leadership opportunities for students and a focus on serving others. - Behaviour expectations: Clear conduct expectations built on respect, honesty and responsibility, supported by a positive behaviour framework. - Community reputation: A welcoming, family-focused Catholic community with strong ties between home and school. - Diversity & inclusion: Commitment to welcoming students from diverse backgrounds and providing inclusive educational practices. --- ## 7. School Logistics & Daily Operations - School hours: Typical school day runs during standard NSW school hours with regular break times and assembly periods. - Before/after school care: Access to before/after school care programs (OSCH) or comparable arrangements to support families. - Uniform requirements: School uniform with specified everyday and sports apparel; details available in the school handbook. - Transport: Bus routes and local transport options; arrangements for safe drop-off and pick-up routines; walking/cycling options where feasible. - Canteen availability: Canteen or lunch program offering healthy meal choices. - Fees: Fees fall within a low-to-medium range for a Catholic primary school; transparent fee structure with information available through the enrolments team. --- ## 8. Enrolment & Admissions 11. What is the enrolment process and timeline? - Submit an expression of interest and complete the enrolment application. - Provide required documentation (birth certificate, immunisation records, baptism certificate if applicable, address verification). - Attend any required interview or information session with the Principal or enrolments team. - Receive placement offers (subject to available spaces) and complete the enrolment agreement. - Participate in orientation activities prior to starting. 12. Is there a waiting list, and how does it work? - If the school is at capacity, a waiting list may operate. Priority is typically given to siblings, parishioners, and families within the local catchment area, followed by others as spaces become available. 13. Are there any entry requirements, tests, or interviews? - There is generally no formal entrance exam. An enrolment interview or information session may be part of the process, and documentation such as birth and baptism certificates, and immunisation records may be requested. Placement is guided by available spaces and alignment with the school’s Catholic mission. 14. Does the school accept mid-year transfers? - Yes, mid-year transfers are possible if there is available space. Parents should contact the enrolments team to start the transfer process, including providing latest school records and any required documentation. --- ## 9. Frequently Asked Questions - Why Parents Choose This School? - A welcoming Catholic community with strong values, supportive teachers, small class sizes and a focus on developing the whole person. - What type of student thrives at this school? - Students who value faith-based learning, peer support, genuine teacher attention, and active participation in both academics and activities. - What opportunities are available for students to extend their skills (academics, sports, arts)? - Strong literacy and numeracy development, leadership opportunities, sports teams, music and drama programs, and clubs such as robotics, chess, coding and debating. - How does the school communicate with parents? - Regular newsletters, emails, a school portal, parent-teacher conferences, and opportunities for engagement through events and the Parents & Friends association. - What is the school’s approach to teaching and learning? - A values-driven, inclusive approach with explicit instruction, differentiated learning, and opportunities for inquiry, collaboration and hands-on activities. - How does the school support students who need extra academic help? - Targeted interventions in literacy and numeracy, EAL and SEN support, and access to specialist staff to tailor learning plans. - What support is available for academic challenges? - Early identification, learning support planning, and ongoing monitoring to adjust teaching strategies and provide appropriate resources. - How does the school communicate with parents? (duplicate) - Through scheduled updates, digital platforms, and direct contact with teachers and the leadership team as needed. - What are the class sizes and how much individual attention do students receive? - Class sizes commonly around 20–25 students, with regular opportunities for individual or small-group instruction and feedback. - What extracurricular and sports opportunities are available? - A range of sports (e.g., soccer, netball, cricket, rugby league, athletics), plus clubs in robotics, chess, coding and debating, and arts programs. - What facilities does the school offer (sports, science, arts)? - Sports grounds, libraries, science labs, music/performing arts spaces, tech/innovation facilities, a canteen, and updated play areas. - What is the school’s approach to technology and digital learning? - Integration of digital learning tools, computer and tech resources, and programs that promote responsible and creative use of technology. - What transport and accessibility options are available? - Local bus routes and school transport arrangements, plus safe drop-off/pick-up processes and accessibility considerations for students. - What are the typical school fees or additional costs? - Fees are set to be affordable within the Catholic primary school sector, with additional costs for uniforms, excursions and certain activities; exact figures are provided in the annual fee schedule. --- ## 10. Short Pros & Cons list Pros - Strong Catholic values and close community - Small to medium class sizes for personalized attention - Supportive, inclusive learning environment - Good literacy and numeracy focus - Wide range of extracurriculars (sport, arts, clubs) - Positive transition for new students and families Cons - Smaller school size may mean fewer specialized electives than larger urban schools - Limited capacity for ultra-large cohorts or very high-volume programs - Availability of some programs may depend on annual staffing and funding