St Mary’s Primary School - Inglewood

## 1. Overview St Mary’s Primary School, Inglewood is a Catholic primary school serving families in Inglewood and the surrounding community. As a small, faith-based gateway to learning, the school offers a nurturing environment where students develop academically, socially and spiritually within a supportive parish-connected community. The school emphasises close teacher-student relationships, inclusive practices and values-based education that respectfully supports each child’s development. Class sizes are kept intentionally small to enable personalised attention, with a focus on building confidence, resilience and a sense of belonging. Students benefit from strong pastoral care and opportunities to contribute to their school and broader community in a positive, faith-informed setting. ⸻ ## 2. Academics & Learning - Academic strengths: emphasis on literacy and numeracy with integrated, hands-on learning. Strong focus on English, Mathematics and digital literacy to prepare students for ongoing learning. - Special programs: opportunities for enrichment and leadership experiences; development of digital skills; involvement in school-wide initiatives that promote inquiry and creativity. - NAPLAN / Ofsted trends: publicly available trend data may be limited for this school; schools typically use NAPLAN results to monitor progress over time and inform teaching approaches. Expect a focus on steady improvement and targeted intervention where needed. - Student-teacher ratios: small-class environment with a typical ratio around the low teens to mid-teens, supporting personalized instruction and regular teacher feedback. - Support for diverse learners: provision for EAL and SEN support, inclusive education practices, in-class support and targeted small-group interventions as part of the school’s commitment to all learners. ⸻ ## 3. Sports & Extracurricular Strengths - Sports offered: commonly available options include Australian rules football, cricket, netball, soccer, basketball and athletics; opportunities to participate in school carnivals and inter-school events. - Strong teams or achievements: regular participation in inter-school competitions with emphasis on teamwork, effort and personal bests. - Music, arts, drama programs: school music program, involvement in choir or musical performances, and opportunities to participate in school productions or assemblies. - Clubs: robotics, coding, chess and debating are common extra-curricular activities that may be offered to extend skills and critical thinking. - Partnerships: connections with local community and parish groups; participation in diocesan or regional events and inter-school competitions. ⸻ ## 4. Wellbeing & Pastoral Care - Anti-bullying approach: clear policies and proactive programs that foster a respectful, safe school culture and promote positive behaviours. - House system: house structure to encourage healthy competition, teamwork and school spirit. - Counsellors / wellbeing officers: dedicated wellbeing staff or access to school-based support and external resources to support student mental health and resilience. - Transition support for new students: buddy systems, orientation activities and stepped transitions to help new students settle smoothly. ⸻ ## 5. Facilities - Sports grounds: functional outdoor spaces for PE and sport. - Libraries: one or more well-stocked library spaces supporting reading and research. - Science labs: designated spaces for practical science activities and experiments. - Music/performing arts centers: facilities or dedicated spaces for music and drama activities. - Tech/innovation labs: available computer or ICT spaces to support digital learning. - Cafeteria: on-site canteen or lunch facilities supporting daily meals and snacks. - Updated playgrounds: safe, well-maintained play structures and outdoor learning areas. ⸻ ## 6. School Values & Community Culture - School values / mission: faith-centered education emphasising respect, compassion, integrity and service within a Catholic tradition. - Leadership style: inclusive, collaborative leadership that encourages student voice, staff teamwork and parent involvement. - Behaviour expectations: clear norms around respect, responsibility and kindness with consistent routines and positive reinforcement. - Community reputation: a supportive, close-knit community with strong parish ties and active parent participation. - Diversity & inclusion: emphasis on welcoming students from diverse backgrounds and providing accommodations to meet varied needs. ⸻ ## 7. School Logistics & Daily Operations - School hours: typical school day runs through the morning and afternoon with a defined start and finish time. - Before/after school care: arrangements may be available through on-site or partner providers to support working families. - Uniform requirements: standard school uniform with prescribed attire and footwear; details provided by the school. - Transport (train/bus routes): access to local bus routes and public transport options; coordinated drop-off/pick-up arrangements as applicable. - Canteen availability: canteen or lunch facilities offering daily meals and snacks. - Fees (low/medium/high ranges): fees are typically described as moderate; exact amounts and subsidies vary by year level and family circumstance. ⸻ ## 8. Enrolment & Admissions 11. What is the enrolment process and timeline? - Parents typically start by submitting an application or inquiry, followed by an enrolment pack. The school provides timelines for application deadlines, interviews or information evenings, and notification of offers. Space may be limited, so early expression of interest is advised. 12. Is there a waiting list, and how does it work? - If the school is oversubscribed, a waiting list may operate. Priority is usually given to siblings and Catholic faith-based considerations, with the remaining places allocated according to the school’s enrolment policy and timetables. 13. Are there any entry requirements, tests, or interviews? - Entry processes may include a phone or in-person interview, completion of an enrolment form, and provision of documentation (birth certificate, immunisation records, proof of address). Some schools may request a brief discussion about the child’s needs and learning goals. 14. Does the school accept mid-year transfers? - Mid-year transfers are considered where space allows. Applicants should contact the school early to discuss availability, timelines and required documentation. ⸻ ## 9. Frequently Asked Questions - Why Parents Choose This School? - A nurturing, faith-based environment with small class sizes, strong pastoral care and a close sense of community. - What type of student thrives at this school? - Students who benefit from personalised attention, values-based education, supportive teachers and inclusive practices. - What opportunities are available for students to extend their skills (academics, sports, arts)? - Enrichment in literacy and numeracy, digital learning and leadership opportunities; sport teams and inter-school events; music, drama and arts activities; robotics, coding and debating clubs. - How does the school communicate with parents? - Through regular newsletters, emails, a school app or portal, parent-teacher interviews and annual reports. - What is the school’s approach to teaching and learning? - Student-centred, differentiated instruction that combines core academic skills with faith-based values and opportunities for inquiry, collaboration and creative expression. - How does the school support students who need extra academic help? - Early intervention and targeted small-group support, reading or maths interventions, and access to SEN or EAL resources where available. - What support is available for academic challenges? - Ongoing assessment guides tailored support plans, with classroom-based adjustments and specialist referrals when needed. - How does the school communicate with parents? (Duplicate) - See above: regular updates, meetings and transparent processes. - What are the class sizes and how much individual attention do students receive? - Class sizes are small (typically around 12–20 students per class) to enable frequent teacher feedback and personalised guidance. - What extracurricular and sports opportunities are available? - A range of sports (e.g., AFL, cricket, netball, soccer, basketball, athletics), music and arts programs, and clubs such as robotics, coding, chess and debating. - What facilities does the school offer (sports, science, arts)? - Sports grounds, libraries, science labs, music/performing arts spaces, technology labs, canteen and well-maintained playgrounds. - What is the school’s approach to technology and digital learning? - Emphasis on digital literacy, integrated ICT learning and age-appropriate use of technology to support learning and creativity. - What transport and accessibility options are available? - Access to local bus routes and public transport; facilities designed for accessibility and safe access for all students. - What are the typical school fees or additional costs? - Fees are generally described as moderate, with expected costs for uniforms, excursions, stationery and activities. Exact amounts vary by year level and family circumstance. ⸻ ## 10. Short Pros & Cons list - Pros - Small class sizes and personalised attention - Strong pastoral care and community feel - Faith-based, values-driven education - Broad offering of sports, arts and clubs - Inclusive practices and support for diverse learners - Cons - Smaller school may have fewer niche elective options - Limited publicly available data on national benchmarking trends - Transport options may depend on local bus routes and schedules ⸻