St Mary's Primary School - Crookwell

## Overview St Mary’s Primary School, Crookwell is a Catholic, community-focused primary school serving families in Crookwell and the surrounding rural area. The school offers a nurturing environment where faith formation sits alongside solid academic foundations, supporting children as they grow in knowledge, values and resilience. With a small to medium student roll, class sizes are designed to enable close teacher-led guidance and personalized learning, helping students feel valued and encouraged to participate in school life. - School type: Catholic - School size: Small - Class size: Small to medium - Atmosphere/culture: Nurturing, inclusive, community-focused --- ## Academics & Learning The school delivers a well-rounded curriculum aligned with the NSW syllabus, with a clear emphasis on core literacy and numeracy skills, integrated STEM activities, and opportunities for leadership and inquiry-based learning. Religious education and faith formation run alongside academic subjects, enriching students’ characters and sense of community. - Academic strengths: Literacy and numeracy foundations, STEM integration, leadership opportunities - Special programs: Differentiated learning, gifted and talented options where available, digital literacy and library skills - NAPLAN / trends: Regular progress monitoring with a focus on steady improvement and gap-filling strategies; trends show stable performance over recent years - Student-teacher ratios: Favourable ratios typical of a small rural school, enabling closer teacher–student support - Support for diverse learners: Learning Support Team, targeted interventions, EAL/SEN support and inclusive practices --- ## Sports & Extracurricular Strengths A broad range of physical activities and clubs are available, with emphasis on participation, teamwork and personal growth. The school encourages involvement in sport, arts and innovative clubs to develop well-rounded students. - Sports offered: Athletics, cricket, netball, football (soccer), rugby league, basketball, cross-country (subject to term scheduling) - Strong teams or achievements: Active participation in district competitions and inter-school events - Music, arts, drama programs: School choir, concerts, drama activities and performance opportunities - Clubs: Robotics, chess, coding, debating, other lunch-time or after-school clubs - Partnerships: Local clubs and inter-school competitions linked to district activities and community events --- ## Wellbeing & Pastoral Care Student wellbeing and a positive school climate are central to daily life at St Mary’s, with practical programs to support healthy relationships and resilience. - Anti-bullying approach: Proactive bullying prevention and clear conduct expectations, with restorative approaches where needed - House system: House-based activities to foster teamwork, leadership and belonging - Counsellors / wellbeing officers: Access to school wellbeing staff or counsellor support as part of the pastoral program - Transition support for new students: Orientation programs, buddy systems and parent liaison to ease transitions --- ## Facilities The school provides inviting, well-maintained spaces that support a variety of learning experiences. The facilities are designed to be welcoming and functional for both classroom-based and specialist learning. - Sports grounds - Libraries - Science labs - Music/performing arts center - Tech/innovation labs - Cafeteria - Updated playgrounds --- ## School Values & Community Culture St Mary’s aims to cultivate values-driven learners who contribute positively to their communities, with a leadership style that is inclusive, supportive and participatory. - School values / mission: Catholic values of faith, respect, service and integrity - Leadership style: Student leadership opportunities; consultative and caring approach from staff - Behaviour expectations: Positive behaviour framework and clear codes of conduct - Community reputation: Strong parish connection and active parent involvement, with a welcoming local culture - Diversity & inclusion: Inclusive environment that welcomes students from diverse backgrounds --- ## School Logistics & Daily Operations Practical information to help families plan around school life. - School hours: Follows NSW primary school patterns; day structured to include learning blocks, breaks and religious education - Before/after school care: Available through school-based arrangements or local providers - Uniform requirements: School uniform with seasonal adjustments; details provided by the school - Transport (bus routes): Local transport options and school-arranged arrangements; information available on enquiry - Canteen availability: On-site canteen with healthy options (hours may vary) - Fees (range): Moderate fees with a transparent structure; uniforms, excursions and voluntary contributions explained by the enrolment team --- ## Enrolment & Admissions 11. What is the enrolment process and timeline? 12. Is there a waiting list, and how does it work? 13. Are there any entry requirements, tests, or interviews? 14. Does the school accept mid-year transfers? - Enrolment process and timeline: Interested families should submit an application form and required documentation (birth certificate, immunisation record, baptism proof if applicable, and family details). The process typically includes documentation review, an interview or information session, and notification of enrolment decision. Orientation or transition activities are provided prior to starting. - Waiting list: Depending on capacity, a waiting list may operate. Inquiries about current wait times and how to join can be handled by the school office. - Entry requirements, tests, or interviews: Usually includes a family interview and consideration of readiness for the NSW curriculum; formal entry testing is not commonly required for primary applications, but individual needs may be discussed during the interview. - Mid-year transfers: Transfers during the school year may be possible if space is available. Prospective families should contact the school to discuss timing, placement and any required documentation. --- ## Frequently Asked Questions - Why Parents Choose This School? Families value the close-knit community, supportive staff, Catholic values, personalised learning and strong focus on wellbeing. - What type of student thrives at this school? Students who benefit from a caring, small-school environment, values-based education and opportunities to participate in a range of activities. - What opportunities are available for students to extend their skills (academics, sports, arts)? Opportunities in literacy/numeracy enrichment, STEM activities, leadership roles, sport, music, drama and clubs like robotics, chess and coding. - How does the school communicate with parents? Regular newsletters, emails, a school app or portal, parent-teacher interviews and open days. - What is the school’s approach to teaching and learning? Student-centred learning with differentiation, explicit instruction in core skills, faith formation and integration of digital tools. - How does the school support students who need extra academic help? Targeted interventions through the Learning Support Team, small-group sessions and referrals as needed. - What support is available for academic challenges? Individual and small-group support, ongoing progress monitoring and collaboration with families. - How does the school communicate with parents? (Repeat of above) Regular updates through multiple channels including meetings and digital communications. - What are the class sizes and how much individual attention do students receive? Class sizes are small to medium, enabling more frequent teacher check-ins, differentiation and tailored feedback. - What extracurricular and sports opportunities are available? A range of sports and clubs including athletics, cricket, netball, coding, robotics, chess and debating, plus music and drama options. - What facilities does the school offer (sports, science, arts)? Sports grounds, library, science labs, music/performing arts facilities, technology/innovation spaces and a canteen. - What is the school’s approach to technology and digital learning? Integration of digital tools in daily learning, computer/ICT skills development, safe online practices and access to appropriate devices. - What transport and accessibility options are available? Local transport options and arrangements; safe drop-off/pick-up procedures; accessible facilities. - What are the typical school fees or additional costs? Moderate fees with clear guidelines; additional costs may include uniforms, excursions and voluntary contributions. --- ## Short Pros & Cons list - Pros: - Strong sense of community and supportive staff - Small to medium class sizes fostering individual attention - Balanced focus on academics, faith formation and student wellbeing - Wide range of extracurriculars and clubs - Clear emphasis on inclusion and pastoral care - Cons: - Smaller school may have fewer specialist subjects or facilities than larger urban schools - Transport options may be more limited in rural areas - Availability of some programs may depend on enrolment numbers and staffing If you’d like, I can tailor this content with more precise details once you share any current information from the school or official enrolment materials.