## 1. Overview
St Mary’s College Toowoomba is a Catholic school offering a values-based education within a supportive, inclusive community. The college seeks to balance strong academic outcomes with faith formation, pastoral care and a sense of service.
The school is medium-to-large in size, with class sizes typically in the low 20s to mid-20s. The atmosphere is nurturing and warm, with a focus on student wellbeing, faith development and holistic growth. The college emphasises community, belonging and opportunities for students to pursue academics, sport and leadership with a supportive environment.
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## 2. Academics & Learning
- Academic strengths: Strong literacy and numeracy focus, with solid STEM, English and leadership development and opportunities to study languages.
- Special programs: Gifted and talented opportunities and accelerated learning pathways; leadership development and faith formation integrated with the curriculum.
- NAPLAN trends: Historically stable to improving trends in literacy and numeracy, with performance tracking above or near state averages in recent years.
- Student-teacher ratios: Generally around 1:12–1:18, with class sizes typically 20–25 students.
- Support for diverse learners: Dedicated support for diverse learners, including EAL and SEN provisions, targeted literacy/numeracy interventions and inclusive learning practices.
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## 3. Sports & Extracurricular Strengths
- Sports offered: Netball, basketball, soccer, rugby, cricket, tennis, athletics, swimming and other team and individual sports.
- Strong teams or achievements: Competitive inter-school teams with regular participation in regional competitions and events.
- Music, arts, drama programs: Active music program (choir, ensembles), drama productions and general performing arts opportunities.
- Clubs: Robotics, chess, coding, debating and other clubs to develop critical thinking and teamwork.
- Partnerships: Local clubs, regional academies and inter-school competitions that broaden opportunities beyond the classroom.
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## 4. Wellbeing & Pastoral Care
- Anti-bullying approach: Clear anti-bullying policies and a positive, respectful school culture supported by staff and student ambassadors.
- House system: House structure to foster belonging, leadership opportunities and healthy competition.
- Counsellors / wellbeing officers: Access to school counsellors or wellbeing staff to support student mental health and transition needs.
- Transition support for new students: Orientation programs, buddy systems and targeted transition support to help new students settle in.
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## 5. Facilities
- Sports grounds: On-site sports fields and courts for practical PE and inter-school events.
- Libraries: Library facilities / resource centers to support study and research.
- Science labs: Modern science laboratories for experiments and practical learning.
- Music/performing arts centers: Dedicated spaces for music, drama and performance.
- Tech/innovation labs: Technology and innovation spaces for coding, design and STEM exploration.
- Cafeteria: On-site canteen or cafeteria for student meals and snacks.
- Updated playgrounds: Well-maintained play and outdoor recreation areas.
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## 6. School Values & Community Culture
- School values / mission: Catholic ethos centered on service, respect, integrity and kindness.
- Leadership style: Collaborative and inclusive, with opportunities for student leadership and voice.
- Behaviour expectations: Clear codes of conduct emphasizing respect, responsibility and resilience.
- Community reputation: Strong, supportive community with connections to local parish and Toowoomba educational networks.
- Diversity & inclusion: Commitment to a diverse and inclusive environment with support for students from varied backgrounds.
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## 7. School Logistics & Daily Operations
- School hours: Typical school day runs from start of morning to mid-afternoon (precise times published by the school).
- Before/after school care: Availability of supervision or care before and after school, with options through the school or approved providers.
- Uniform requirements: School uniform with appropriate seasonal variations; details provided in the uniform policy (blazer, shirt, skirt/trousers, tie, etc. and sport uniform for different activities).
- Transport (train/bus routes): Access to local bus services and school transport options; information on routes typically available through the school.
- Canteen availability: On-site canteen or café-style service offering meals and snacks.
- Fees (low/medium/high ranges): Fees fall in the mid-to-high range for independent Catholic Australian schools, with additional costs for uniforms, activities and excursions.
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## 8. Enrolment & Admissions
11. What is the enrolment process and timeline?
- Submit an application by the school’s published deadline, with necessary documentation (birth certificate, academic records, immunisation information, etc.). The process typically includes a family interview or information session, followed by a placement decision and offer of a place. Depending on the year level, timelines can span several months from application to start date.
12. Is there a waiting list, and how does it work?
- Yes, there is often a waiting list. Placement usually depends on date of application, sibling priority (where applicable), availability of places in the year level, and interview outcomes. Waitlists are managed in order of priority and vacancy.
13. Are there any entry requirements, tests, or interviews?
- Commonly there is an interview for both student and family, and in some cases an assessment or information required about prior schooling, Catholic identity (if relevant to the school’s enrolment policy) and attendance/discipline history. Specific tests are not universally required for all year levels.
14. Does the school accept mid-year transfers?
- Mid-year transfers are considered if there are vacancies. Processing typically involves the health, discipline, and academic records review, a transition plan, and coordination with the receiving teacher and year level.
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## 9. Frequently Asked Questions
- “Why Parents Choose This School?”
- “What type of student thrives at this school?”
- “What opportunities are available for students to extend their skills (academics, sports, arts)?”
- “How does the school communicate with parents?”
- “What is the school’s approach to teaching and learning?”
- “How does the school support students who need extra academic help?”
- “What support is available for academic challenges?”
- “How does the school communicate with parents?”
- “What are the class sizes and how much individual attention do students receive?”
- “What extracurricular and sports opportunities are available?”
- “What facilities does the school offer (sports, science, arts)?”
- “What is the school’s approach to technology and digital learning?”
- “What transport and accessibility options are available?”
- “What are the typical school fees or additional costs?”
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## 10. Short Pros & Cons list
- Pros:
- Catholic ethos and values-based education with a supportive community
- Balanced focus on academics, wellbeing and faith formation
- Moderate-to-large school community with diverse programs in sports, arts and leadership
- Strong pastoral care, anti-bullying culture and transition support
- Good facilities across labs, libraries, performing arts and tech spaces
- Cons:
- Fees are higher than public schools; additional costs for uniforms, camps and activities
- Possible waitlists for popular year levels or programs
- Uniforms and house-based expectations require ongoing adherence
- Transport options may require planning for families depending on location
- Mid-year transfers depend on vacancy and may involve transition adjustments
