St Mary's Primary - Rushworth

## 1. Overview St Mary’s Primary, Rushworth is a Catholic, co-educational primary school serving families in Rushworth and surrounding communities. The school fosters a faith-filled, values-driven education in a small-town setting that supports close relationships between students, staff and families. Class sizes are small, which helps teachers tailor learning and provide individual attention in a nurturing, inclusive atmosphere. - School type: Catholic - School size: Small - Class size: Approximately 18–22 students per class - Atmosphere/culture: Nurturing, inclusive, faith-based community ## 2. Academics & Learning - Academic strengths: Strong focus on literacy and numeracy, with integration of faith values. Emphasis on thinking skills, everyday problem solving, and digital literacy to prepare students for the modern world. - Special programs: In-class differentiation and opportunities for extension; access to targeted support as needed; faith formation integrated into daily learning. - NAPLAN / trends: Recent years show steady performance with consistency comparable to state averages, with improvements linked to targeted teaching and support. - Student-teacher ratios: Small class sizes support more individual attention; typical ratios around 1:18–1:22 in primary grades. - Support for diverse learners: Differentiated instruction within the classroom; additional support for students requiring literacy/numeracy intervention; access to support services and referrals as needed. ## 3. Sports & Extracurricular Strengths - Sports offered: AFL, netball, basketball, soccer, cricket, athletics, cross-country and other local-influenced activities. - Strong teams or achievements: Active participation in inter-school and district-level events; strong participation culture with opportunities to represent the school in various sports. - Music, arts, drama programs: Regular music sessions, choir opportunities, school performances and arts experiences. - Clubs: Robotics, chess, coding, debating and other clubs offered where resources and staffing allow. - Partnerships: Connections with local community clubs and regional competitions to broaden opportunities beyond the classroom. ## 4. Wellbeing & Pastoral Care - Anti-bullying approach: Clear anti-bullying policies and a positive care framework to ensure a safe learning environment. - House system: House groups promote teamwork, leadership and school spirit. - Counsellors / wellbeing officers: Access to wellbeing support and a pastoral care approach through trained staff and school counsellors where available. - Transition support for new students: Welcome programs, buddy systems and gradual orientation to help new students integrate smoothly. ## 5. Facilities - Sports grounds: Access to sports ovals or grounds suitable for physical education and outdoor activities. - Libraries: A school library with space for reading, research and quiet study. - Science labs: Dedicated or flexible spaces to support practical science learning. - Music/performing arts centers: A music room and space for performances and drama activities. - Tech/innovation labs: Computer/library resources and digital technology tools to support ICT learning. - Cafeteria: Canteen/cafeteria options or school-supported meal arrangements. - Updated playgrounds: Modern, safe outdoor play spaces and equipment. ## 6. School Values & Community Culture - School values / mission: Catholic identity focused on compassion, respect, responsibility and service. - Leadership style: Collaborative leadership with opportunities for student voice and leadership roles. - Behaviour expectations: Positive behaviour framework with clear expectations and restorative approaches where needed. - Community reputation: Welcoming, involved school community with active parent engagement and local parish links. - Diversity & inclusion: Inclusive environment that welcomes families from diverse backgrounds and faiths; supportive for all students. ## 7. School Logistics & Daily Operations - School hours: Typical primary hours (e.g., roughly 9:00 am–3:15 pm) with variations for mass days or special events. - Before/after school care: After-school care arrangements available through internal programs or local providers where offered. - Uniform requirements: School uniform policy with appropriate seasonal options; sports uniform for PE days. - Transport (train/bus routes): Local bus services and kiss-and-ride arrangements; proximity to bus routes where applicable. - Canteen availability: Canteen or lunch facilities available on select days or via school-community arrangements. - Fees (low/medium/high ranges): Fees generally fall in the low-to-mid range for rural Catholic primary schools; details available via the enrolment process. ## 8. Enrolment & Admissions - 11. What is the enrolment process and timeline? - Submit an enrolment expression of interest or application. - Attend information sessions or meet-the-team opportunities. - Complete required documentation (birth certificate, immunisation records, etc.). - If offered a place, complete any school onboarding steps and schedule a start date. - Entrance timelines vary by year and availability; the school will provide the current timetable. - 12. Is there a waiting list, and how does it work? - Waiting lists may apply when year levels are full. The school manages priorities (often with preference given to parish families) and keeps families informed about expected timelines and offers as vacancies arise. - 13. Are there any entry requirements, tests, or interviews? - Entry typically involves standard documentation and a assessment of readiness for year level. Some year levels may have informal interviews or introductory meetings to ensure a good fit with the school’s programs and Catholic ethos. - 14. Does the school accept mid-year transfers? - Yes, subject to vacancies and space in the relevant year level. Transfer process includes providing prior records, attendance data, and a smooth transition plan. ## 9. Frequently Asked Questions - Why Parents Choose This School? - A close-knit, faith-based community with small class sizes, caring staff, and a strong emphasis on values, wellbeing, and personalised learning. - What type of student thrives at this school? - Students who flourish in a supportive, community-focused environment, engage in faith formation, participate in sports and clubs, and benefit from individualized attention. - What opportunities are available for students to extend their skills (academics, sports, arts)? - Access to extension activities within class, sports teams, music programs, drama performances, coding/robotics clubs (where offered), and participation in inter-school competitions. - How does the school communicate with parents? - Regular newsletters, emails, parent-teacher meetings, and school apps or portals; timely updates on events, student progress and policy changes. - What is the school’s approach to teaching and learning? - Student-centered learning with differentiation, integration of faith-based education, and use of digital tools to support modern learning practices. - How does the school support students who need extra academic help? - Targeted interventions, in-class differentiation, additional literacy/numeracy support, and referrals to external services when required. - What support is available for academic challenges? - Access to learning support staff, small-group or one-on-one assistance, and a coordinated approach with families to monitor progress. - How does the school communicate with parents? (Note: this question is covered above; you’ll see updates in the school’s communication channels.) - What are the class sizes and how much individual attention do students receive? - Class sizes are small (approximately 18–22 students per class), enabling more guidance and individual attention from teachers. - What extracurricular and sports opportunities are available? - A range of sports (AFL, netball, basketball, soccer, cricket, athletics), music and arts programs, and clubs such as robotics, chess, coding, and debating, subject to term availability. - What facilities does the school offer (sports, science, arts)? - Sports grounds, library, science resources, dedicated music/performing arts spaces, technology/ICT facilities, canteen and updated outdoor play areas. - What is the school’s approach to technology and digital learning? - Integration of ICT across the curriculum, access to computers/tablets, interactive learning tools, and a focus on safe, responsible digital practices. - What transport and accessibility options are available? - Local transport options (bus routes or school-arranged transport) and convenient drop-off/pick-up arrangements; accessible facilities where available. - What are the typical school fees or additional costs? - Fees are in the low-to-mid range for rural Catholic primary schools; costs for uniforms, books, excursions and extra-curricular activities are outlined during enrolment. ## 10. Short Pros & Cons list - Pros - Small class sizes enabling personalised attention - Strong sense of community and supportive staff - Catholic values integrated with academics and wellbeing - Wide range of sports, arts, and extracurricular activities - Safe, nurturing environment with focus on inclusion - Cons - Rural setting may mean fewer specialist programs than larger urban schools - Transport options may require planning for families farther away - Some programs depend on staffing and funding; availability can vary by year - Limited course breadth compared with larger city schools (in secondary transition terms)