St Mary's Parish Primary School - Ararat

## Overview St Mary’s Parish Primary School is a Catholic, co-educational primary school serving families in Ararat, Victoria. The school emphasizes faith-based education, community involvement, and strong pastoral care, fostering a nurturing and inclusive atmosphere. With a small-to-medium school size, class sizes are generally in the low-to-mid 20s, enabling teachers to know students well and tailor support to individual needs. - School type: Catholic - School size: small to medium - Class size: typically around 18–24 students - Atmosphere/culture: nurturing, inclusive, faith-centered, community-focused --- ## Academics & Learning St Mary’s aims to deliver solid literacy and numeracy foundations while integrating faith formation and ethical development into daily learning. Students have access to a broad curriculum that supports curiosity, critical thinking, and personal growth. - Academic strengths: English/Literacy, Mathematics, integrated Science and Humanities, and Religious Education as a core component; emphasis on developing strong reading and writing skills and numeracy confidence. - Special programs: opportunities for extension in key areas, with targeted learning supports and leadership opportunities; faith formation woven through the curriculum; use of ICT to enhance learning. - NAPLAN / trends: typical trends show stable performance with variation year to year, generally aligned with state averages and improvements in targeted domains over time. - Student-teacher ratios: approximately 1:12 to 1:16, depending on year level and classroom. - Support for diverse learners: dedicated support for diverse learners, including EAL (English as an Additional Language) assistance and SEN (Special Education Needs) programs, with small-group interventions and learning support plans as needed. --- ## Sports & Extracurricular Strengths Extracurricular life at St Mary’s supports active, well-rounded development for students, with opportunities spanning sport, arts, and clubs. - Sports offered: basketball, netball, cricket, Australian Rules football, athletics, swimming program and cross-country; opportunities to compete in local inter-school events. - Strong teams or achievements: participation in regional and district school activities with a focus on teamwork, sportsmanship, and personal bests. - Music, arts, drama programs: choir, school band or ensemble, and regular drama/performing arts activities and performances. - Clubs: robotics, chess, coding, debating and other project-based clubs that build problem-solving and collaboration skills. - Partnerships: connections with local community groups and regional competitions, offering broader exposure to sport, arts, and academic events. --- ## Wellbeing & Pastoral Care Wellbeing is a central pillar, with systems in place to support every student’s emotional and social development. - Anti-bullying approach: clear policies, anti-bullying education, and a buddy system to promote respectful relationships. - House system: a house structure to foster belonging, healthy competition, and peer support. - Counsellors / wellbeing officers: access to wellbeing coordinators or school counsellor support as needed. - Transition support for new students: targeted orientation, buddy programs, and information sessions to help new families settle in smoothly. --- ## Facilities Facilities are designed to be welcoming and functional, supporting a range of learning and recreational activities. - Sports grounds - Libraries - Science labs - Music/performing arts center - Tech/innovation labs - Cafeteria - Updated playgrounds --- ## School Values & Community Culture The school community prioritizes values-based education and a respectful, collaborative culture. - School values / mission: grounded in Catholic faith and service, with emphasis on respect, compassion, integrity, and responsibility. - Leadership style: student voice and leadership opportunities are encouraged; collaborative staff approach with family involvement. - Behaviour expectations: clear codes of conduct and positive behaviour supports that recognise effort and improvement. - Community reputation: described as friendly, supportive, and closely connected with families and parish communities. - Diversity & inclusion: welcoming environment that respects diverse backgrounds and needs, with inclusive practices across the curriculum. --- ## School Logistics & Daily Operations Practical details that help families plan on a day-to-day basis. - School hours: typical school day runs during standard school hours; before/after school care available through OSHC or equivalent programs. - Before/after school care: OSHC or similar arrangements available to families. - Uniform requirements: school uniform required; appropriate sports uniform for physical education and extra-curricular activities. - Transport (train/bus routes): local bus routes and school transport options available; proximity to town and accessibility considered. - Canteen availability: canteen or lunch program available on designated days. - Fees (low/medium/high ranges): fees are generally moderate within the Catholic school sector; additional costs may include uniforms, excursions, and activity levies. --- ## Enrolment & Admissions 11. What is the enrolment process and timeline? - Submit an enrolment application or expression of interest. - Attend an information session or school tour (where offered). - Provide required documents (birth certificate, immunisation records, etc.). - Complete any school-specific steps (interviews or family conversation) and await offer; timelines vary, but typical processes span several weeks to a couple of months. 12. Is there a waiting list, and how does it work? - Waiting lists may apply if year levels are full. Priorities commonly include siblings of current students and parish considerations; families are advised to inquire early and arrange tours to understand current availability and expected timelines. 13. Are there any entry requirements, tests, or interviews? - Generally, entry involves documentation and an interview/conversation with the family and student to assess fit with the school culture and placement needs. There is typically no formal academic entrance exam. 14. Does the school accept mid-year transfers? - Mid-year transfers are considered based on space availability and alignment with the school’s programs and needs. Prospective families should contact the admissions team early, provide relevant academic records, immunisation documentation, and arrange any required transitions support. --- ## Frequently Ask Questions - Why Parents Choose This School? - A warm Catholic environment, strong pastoral care, small-to-medium class sizes, and a focus on holistic development and community involvement. - What type of student thrives at this school? - Students who value a respectful, inclusive community; those who engage actively in learning, faith formation, and collaborative activities. - What opportunities are available for students to extend their skills (academics, sports, arts)? - Extensions in literacy and numeracy, leadership roles, clubs (robotics, chess, coding, debating), sports teams, music and drama activities, and community service opportunities. - How does the school communicate with parents? - Regular newsletters, phone updates, parent-teacher interviews, and digital communication platforms often used for announcements and feedback. - What is the school’s approach to teaching and learning? - Student-centered, inquiry-based approaches that integrate faith formation, with differentiations to meet diverse learner needs and enable hands-on, practical learning. - How does the school support students who need extra academic help? - Targeted learning support, small-group interventions, EAL and SEN support, and collaboration with families to set individual learning plans. - What support is available for academic challenges? - Access to learning support staff, differentiated instruction, regular progress monitoring, and referrals to external specialists if needed. - How does the school communicate with parents? - See above: newsletters, calls, interviews, and digital communications. - What are the class sizes and how much individual attention do students receive? - Class sizes typically range in the high teens to mid-20s, with teachers providing differentiated instruction and regular formative feedback to support individual needs. - What extracurricular and sports opportunities are available? - A range of sports (basketball, netball, cricket, AFL, athletics), music and drama programs, and clubs such as robotics, chess, coding, and debating. - What facilities does the school offer (sports, science, arts)? - Modern sports grounds, libraries, science labs, performing arts/music spaces, technology labs, a cafeteria, and updated playgrounds. - What is the school’s approach to technology and digital learning? - Integration of ICT in learning, digital resources and devices to support classroom activities, and safe, age-appropriate use of technology. - What transport and accessibility options are available? - Local bus routes and school transport options; accessible facilities and convenient town location. - What are the typical school fees or additional costs? - Fees are generally in the moderate range for the sector; additional costs may include uniforms, excursions, and activity levies. --- ## Short Pros & Cons list - Pros - Close-knit, supportive community with strong pastoral care - Small-to-medium class sizes enabling individualized attention - Catholic ethos with values-driven education - Broad range of academic, sporting, and artistic opportunities - Clear focus on wellbeing, inclusion, and student voice - Cons - As a smaller school, available places can be limited in some year levels - Fee structure may be higher than non-Catholic public options - Extracurricular offerings may be more limited than larger urban schools - Transport options are typically local; options may be fewer for families living farther away