St Mary’s Primary School - Moruya

## 1. Overview St Mary’s Moruya is a Catholic primary school serving Moruya and the surrounding district, offering a faith-centered education aligned with the NSW curriculum. The school emphasises holistic development, combining academics with faith formation, pastoral care and community involvement. School size is compact, promoting a close-knit, family-like community. Class sizes typically range around 20–25 students, contributing to a nurturing, inclusive atmosphere where students are known and supported. ## 2. Academics & Learning - Academic strengths: Strong literacy and numeracy focus, with opportunities to engage in integrated STEM activities and leadership moments for students. Learning is enriched by a faith-based context that supports character development alongside academics. - Special programs: Religious Education is central to the school, with leadership opportunities for older students and extension/Gifted & Talented options where available. - NAPLAN / trends: NAPLAN trends are monitored over time to track progress; schools generally aim for steady improvement in literacy and numeracy. For the latest year-to-year trend data, the school can provide published reports. - Student-teacher ratios: Typically around 1:20–1:25, with variations by year level and cohort. - Support for diverse learners: Inclusive practices with support for diverse learners, including EAL (English as an Additional Language) and SEN (Special Education Needs) support and targeted interventions as needed. ## 3. Sports & Extracurricular Strengths - Sports offered: Soccer, cricket, netball, rugby league, athletics, and other school-based activities. - Strong teams or achievements: Active participation in local and regional school sports, with teams competing in district events and carnivals. - Music, arts, drama programs: School music programs, choir and instrumental opportunities, plus drama performances and school productions. - Clubs: Robotics, chess, coding, debating, and other after-school activities. - Partnerships: Connections with local clubs and community groups; inter-school competitions and regional events to broaden opportunities. ## 4. Wellbeing & Pastoral Care - Anti-bullying approach: Clear anti-bullying policies and a whole-school approach to promoting respectful relationships and wellbeing. - House system: An active house system to foster community, belonging and healthy competition. - Counsellors / wellbeing officers: Access to a school counsellor or wellbeing staff as part of pastoral care. - Transition support for new students: Orientation programs, buddy systems and transition activities to help new students settle in smoothly. ## 5. Facilities - Sports grounds: On-site sports grounds for PE and outdoor activities. - Libraries: On-site library for SeS (reading and research) and library programs. - Science labs: Dedicated science facilities for hands-on experiments and learning. - Music/performing arts centers: Space for music, drama and performing arts activities. - Tech/innovation labs: Tech/innovation resources to support digital learning and STEM activities. - Cafeteria: On-site canteen or cafeteria offering healthy meal options. - Updated playgrounds: Modern, safe playgrounds and outdoor play areas for breaks and recreation. ## 6. School Values & Community Culture - School values / mission: Catholic values underpin daily learning, with focus on faith, respect, service, responsibility and compassion. - Leadership style: Collaborative leadership that includes student voice and family engagement; educators work with students and families to support growth. - Behaviour expectations: Clear behavioural expectations, consistent routines and positive reinforcement to foster a respectful school culture. - Community reputation: Known in the local community as a caring, faith-based school with a family-friendly atmosphere. - Diversity & inclusion: Committed to inclusive practices that welcome families from diverse backgrounds and support all learners. ## 7. School Logistics & Daily Operations - School hours: Typical day runs through a morning and afternoon schedule (specific times available on request). - Before/after school care: Before and after school care options are typically available. - Uniform requirements: School uniform is required, with guidelines for summer and winter variations. - Transport (train/bus routes): Local bus services and transport options are available; families can confirm routes and drop-off points with the school. - Canteen availability: On-site canteen or cafeteria offering healthy options. - Fees (low/medium/high ranges): Fee levels are generally in the low-to-medium range for NSW Catholic primary schools; exact amounts vary by year and family circumstances—contact the school for current details. ## 8. Enrolment & Admissions 11. What is the enrolment process and timeline? - Inquiry or information session → formal application with required documents → any interviews or information sessions (where offered) → assessment of suitability and vacancies → offer of placement → enrolment confirmation. Timelines vary but applications are typically completed months before the start of the school year; early applications are encouraged. 12. Is there a waiting list, and how does it work? - Depending on vacancies, there may be a waiting list. Allocation of places often considers vacancies, siblings, and order of application; families may be notified about position on the list and expected wait times. 13. Are there any entry requirements, tests, or interviews? - Generally, there is no standard entrance exam for primary-aged entry. An information session or interview may be part of the process, along with submission of required documents (birth certificate, immunisation records, proof of address, etc.). Catholic affiliation requirements vary; ask the school for specifics. 14. Does the school accept mid-year transfers? - Yes, mid-year transfers may be possible depending on vacancies and space in the relevant year level. Submit the transfer paperwork and school records as early as possible to improve chances. ## 9. Frequently Asked Questions - Why Parents Choose This School? - A faith-based, values-driven education in a close-knit community with strong support for literacy and numeracy, plus inclusive practices and pastoral care. - What type of student thrives at this school? - Students who excel in a collaborative, caring environment that values faith, service, and strong foundational skills in reading and math. - What opportunities are available for students to extend their skills (academics, sports, arts)? - Extensions in literacy and numeracy, leadership opportunities, STEM activities, sports teams, music and drama programs, and clubs such as robotics, chess, coding and debating. - How does the school communicate with parents? - Regular newsletters, emails, parent portals or apps, and scheduled parent-teacher conferences; information about events and student progress is shared with families. - What is the school’s approach to teaching and learning? - NSW syllabus-based learning with a focus on student-centred, differentiated instruction, inquiry-based activities, and a Catholic Education framework. - How does the school support students who need extra academic help? - Dedicated learning support staff and targeted intervention programs, with accommodations and small-group support as needed. - What support is available for academic challenges? - Early identification, access to learning support, and collaboration with families to implement effective strategies for improvement. - How does the school communicate with parents? (Duplicate) - See above: newsletters, portals, emails, conferences. - What are the class sizes and how much individual attention do students receive? - Class sizes typically around 20–25 students, with teachers providing attentive, differentiated instruction and frequent feedback. - What extracurricular and sports opportunities are available? - A range of sports (soccer, cricket, netball, rugby league, athletics), plus clubs (robotics, chess, coding, debating) and arts programs (music, drama). - What facilities does the school offer (sports, science, arts)? - Sports grounds, library, science labs, music/performing arts spaces, tech/innovation labs, cafeteria, and updated playgrounds. - What is the school’s approach to technology and digital learning? - Integrated technology in daily learning, use of digital tools and resources, and digital literacy training within the curriculum. - What transport and accessibility options are available? - Local transport options including school buses or routes; accessible facilities and safe access for students. - What are the typical school fees or additional costs? - Fees are in the low-to-medium range for NSW Catholic primary schools; additional costs may include uniforms, excursions and some elective activities. Contact the school for exact figures. ## 10. Short Pros & Cons list - Pros - Catholic values-based education in a supportive, close-knit community - Small to mid-class sizes promoting individual attention - Strong foundations in literacy and numeracy - Wide range of extracurriculars including sports, arts and clubs - Focus on wellbeing, pastoral care and inclusion - Cons - As a smaller rural school, breadth of elective subjects may be more limited than larger urban schools - Some specialised facilities or programs may depend on funding and enrolment levels - Transport options may be less frequent than in major cities, depending on location If you’d like, I can tailor this content further with more precise details or pull together a comparison grid against nearby schools.