St Matthew's Catholic Primary - Windsor

1. Overview St Matthew's Catholic Primary is a Catholic, non-government primary school that supports families in Windsor and the surrounding area. The school emphasises faith-based education within a nurturing, inclusive community. It is regarded as a small-to-medium size school with classes that foster close student-teacher relationships and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. - School type: Catholic - School size: Small to medium - Class size: Typically around 18–24 students per class - Atmosphere/culture: Nurturing, inclusive, faith-informed, and community-focused ⸻ 2. Academics & Learning St Matthew's focuses on foundational literacy and numeracy, strengthened by faith formation and values-based learning. The school aims to develop confident, thoughtful students who engage with learning across subject areas and perspectives. - Academic strengths: Strong literacy and numeracy foundations; emphasis on religious education alongside core curriculum; opportunities for leadership and active citizenship - Special programs: Gifted and talented extensions or enrichment options; targeted support to extend learning in STEM, English, and other key areas - NAPLAN / trends: Trends over recent years show stable to improving performance relative to state averages, with continued focus on areas of growth - Student-teacher ratios: Roughly 1:12 to 1:22 depending on year level, with smaller class groupings to support individual attention - Support for diverse learners: EAL/D support, SEND/inclusion programs, and planning supports such as individual learning plans or targeted interventions ⸻ 3. Sports & Extracurricular Strengths A strong feature for families seeking balance between sport, arts, and academics, with active participation in local communities and inter-school events. - Sports offered: Soccer, netball, cricket, rugby league, athletics, and other NSW primary-school activities - Strong teams or achievements: Regular participation in local school leagues and district competitions; opportunities to progress to regional events - Music, arts, drama programs: School choir or vocal programs, school plays, and performing arts activities - Clubs: Robotics, chess, coding, debating, and other enrichment clubs - Partnerships: Connections with local clubs, parish activities, and regional competitions to broaden opportunities ⸻ 4. Wellbeing & Pastoral Care Wellbeing and pastoral care are priorities to help students thrive academically and socially. - Anti-bullying approach: Clear anti-bullying policies and programs, with a focus on respectful behaviours and a safe school climate - House system: House-based activities and leadership opportunities to foster belonging and teamwork - Counsellors / wellbeing officers: Access to school-based wellbeing support and referral processes - Transition support for new students: Orientation activities, buddy programs, and planned transitions to help new students settle ⸻ 5. Facilities Facilities are designed to be welcoming and functional, supporting learning across disciplines and activities. - Sports grounds: Play spaces and fields suitable for a range of activities - Libraries: On-site library with age-appropriate books and resources - Science labs: Practical science learning environments - Music/performing arts centers: Space for music education and drama activities - Tech/innovation labs: Digital learning spaces and appropriate technology resources - Cafeteria: Access to a canteen or school food service on participating days - Updated playgrounds: Safe, modern play areas and outdoor learning spaces ⸻ 6. School Values & Community Culture The school’s culture reflects its Catholic ethos and commitment to respectful, values-driven education. - School values / mission: Faith-based education focused on service, respect, kindness, and integrity - Leadership style: Collaborative and visible leadership with open channels for parent and student input - Behaviour expectations: Positive behaviour framework aligned with school values; consistent expectations across classrooms - Community reputation: Strong partnerships with families and local parish communities; active family involvement - Diversity & inclusion: Welcomes students from diverse backgrounds with inclusive practices and supports ⸻ 7. School Logistics & Daily Operations Practical details help families plan and manage daily school life. - School hours: Typically a morning-to-afternoon school day aligned with NSW primary schedules - Before/after school care: Available through school-supported or external after-school arrangements - Uniform requirements: School uniform policy with designated dress code for regular days and sports uniforms - Transport: Bus routes or other local transport options accessible to families in the area - Canteen availability: Canteen or canteen services on select days with healthy option choices - Fees: Moderate or standard-range school fees for a Catholic primary; family discount options commonly available ⸻ 8. Enrolment & Admissions 11. What is the enrolment process and timeline? - Submit online or in-person application, with required documentation (birth certificates, baptism proofs where applicable, school reports) - Packaged information reviewed by the enrolments team; timelines vary by intake period (start of year or mid-year) - If invited, families may participate in a brief interview or information session as part of the process - Final acceptance is subject to seat availability and eligibility 12. Is there a waiting list, and how does it work? - Yes, waiting lists may apply when class vacancies are filled; positions are typically offered in order of application priority and date - Priority considerations may include siblings, parish affiliation, and demonstrated need 13. Are there any entry requirements, tests, or interviews? - Entry requirements are usually administrative and faith-formation related; formal academic testing is not typically required, though some schools may conduct short interviews or information sessions 14. Does the school accept mid-year transfers? - Mid-year transfers may be possible if there are vacancies and appropriate readiness; transitioning support is provided to new students ⸻ 9. Frequently Asked Questions - Why Parents Choose This School? - A Catholic, values-driven environment that emphasises academic foundations, wellbeing, and community involvement - What type of student thrives at this school? - Students who respond well to a nurturing, faith-informed culture with strong teacher-student engagement and collaborative learning - What opportunities are available for students to extend their skills (academics, sports, arts)? - Enrichment programs in literacy and math, potential extensions in STEM or English, diverse clubs (robotics, coding, chess), and active participation in sports and arts - How does the school communicate with parents? - Regular updates through newsletters, electronic communications, parent-teacher meetings, and open-door policies with leadership - What is the school’s approach to teaching and learning? - A balanced approach combining core academics with faith formation, values-based education, and inclusive practices - How does the school support students who need extra academic help? - Targeted interventions, EAL/D and SEN supports, and individualized planning where appropriate - What support is available for academic challenges? - In-class differentiation, small-group support, and access to wellbeing and instructional resources - How does the school communicate with parents? - See above; multiple channels for timely and transparent communications - What are the class sizes and how much individual attention do students receive? - Class sizes are kept relatively small (roughly 18–24 students) to enable more individual attention - What extracurricular and sports opportunities are available? - A range of sports (soccer, netball, cricket, athletics), plus music, drama, and clubs such as robotics, chess, coding, and debating - What facilities does the school offer (sports, science, arts)? - Sports grounds, libraries, science labs, music/performing arts spaces, tech/innovation labs, and a canteen - What is the school’s approach to technology and digital learning? - Integration of digital tools and resources to support modern learning, with appropriate guidance and supervision - What transport and accessibility options are available? - Local transport options and bus routes where available; school facilities designed for accessibility - What are the typical school fees or additional costs? - Fees are in the moderate range for Catholic primary schools; details available on request, with family support options ⸻ 10. Short Pros & Cons list Pros - Catholic, values-driven education within a nurturing community - Small-to-medium class sizes support individual attention - Strong emphasis on literacy, numeracy, and faith formation - Broad extracurricular offerings (sports, music, clubs) - Supportive wellbeing and pastoral care with transition programs Cons - As a single-site primary, opportunities for multi-campus pathways are limited - Fee structure reflects independent Catholic schooling; families should review current fees and scholarships - Availability of mid-year placements depends on vacancies and enrolment demand ⸻