St Patrick's College - Strathfield

## 1. Overview St Patrick's College Strathfield is a Catholic day school serving secondary students in the Strathfield area. As part of the NSW Catholic education system, it aims to blend faith with academic excellence, personal development and community service. The college typically serves a medium-sized student community with a culture that balances traditional values with a supportive, colegial learning environment. - School type: Catholic (systemic) - School size: medium - Class size: ~22–26 students - Atmosphere/culture: nurturing, academic, diverse, inclusive ⸻ ## 2. Academics & Learning The college focuses on strong academic outcomes across core subjects, with emphasis on reading, writing and numeracy, as well as STEM and humanities. Students have access to a range of senior subjects and leadership opportunities to build college-wide confidence and capability. - Academic strengths: English, Mathematics, STEM, leadership development; opportunities in languages and the humanities - Special programs: accelerated learning options in senior years; Gifted & Talented pathways where available; preparation for HSC/ATAR coursework - NAPLAN / trends: publicly available data for NSW suggests stable to improving trends in reading, writing and numeracy over the past several years; trends vary by cohort - Student-teacher ratios: typically around 1:12–1:15 in junior and senior years - Support for diverse learners: EAL support, SEN assistance, and inclusive education services where available ⸻ ## 3. Sports & Extracurricular Strengths Extracurricular options are central for many families, with a focus on team-based sport, arts and competitive clubs. The college offers a broad slate of activities to build teamwork, discipline and personal interests. - Sports offered: rugby, football (soccer), basketball, cricket, athletics, swimming (typical offerings in NSW Catholic colleges) - Strong teams or achievements: competitive inter-school teams with participation in regional competitions - Music, arts, drama programs: ensembles, choirs and school drama productions are commonly supported - Clubs: robotics, chess, coding, debating, and other interest clubs - Partnerships: participation in local inter-school competitions and Catholic Education sporting/art programs ⸻ ## 4. Wellbeing & Pastoral Care Wellbeing and pastoral support are central to student success, with systems in place to nurture resilience and positive school experiences. - Anti-bullying approach: explicit anti-bullying policies, student education and supportive reporting pathways - House system: house-based activities and competitions to foster belonging and leadership - Counsellors / wellbeing officers: on-site counsellors or wellbeing staff for student support - Transition support for new students: orientation programs, buddy systems and mentoring to ease entry into the college ⸻ ## 5. Facilities Facilities are designed to support learning across academics, arts and sport, with spaces that are easy to navigate and visually engaging. - Sports grounds / fields - Libraries / study spaces - Science labs - Music / performing arts centers - Tech / innovation labs - Canteen - Updated playgrounds (where applicable) ⸻ ## 6. School Values & Community Culture The school presents a values-driven culture focused on character, service and respect, with leadership opportunities and clear behavioural expectations. - School values / mission: faith-led education with emphasis on service, integrity and excellence - Leadership style: student voice through prefects, committees and mentoring programs - Behaviour expectations: clear codes of conduct emphasizing respect, responsibility and safety - Community reputation: generally positive within the local Catholic education community and broader Strathfield area - Diversity & inclusion: commitment to an inclusive environment that welcomes students from diverse backgrounds ⸻ ## 7. School Logistics & Daily Operations Practical day-to-day information helps families plan around school life, transport, meals and costs. - School hours: typical timetable aligning with NSW secondary school days - Before/after school care: programs commonly available or arranged via partner providers - Uniform requirements: official school uniform for daily wear and a separate sports kit - Transport: train/bus options in the Strathfield area; proximity to local public transport routes - Canteen: on-site canteen offering meals and snacks - Fees: generally in the medium-to-high range for NSW Catholic schools; exact fees vary by year and selection of subjects ⸻ ## 8. Enrolment & Admissions 11. What is the enrolment process and timeline? - Submit an expression of interest or complete the school’s enrolment application by the school’s specified deadline. There is often a staged process including documentation, interview and notification timelines, typically aligned with the NSW school year calendar. 12. Is there a waiting list, and how does it work? - Yes, there is often a waiting list. Priorities may include siblings of current students, parish or local community considerations, and availability of places. Applicants are usually informed of status as vacancies arise. 13. Are there any entry requirements, tests, or interviews? - Most enrolments involve an interview and submission of academic or school records. Some cohorts may require or offer assessment tasks, and there may be documentation related to immunisations and student wellbeing. 14. Does the school accept mid-year transfers? - Mid-year transfers are possible if space is available. The process typically requires an application, submission of transcripts, and agreement on place allocation with the school. ⸻ ## 9. Frequently Asked Questions - Why Parents Choose This School? - Catholic ethos, structured pastoral care, solid academic pathways and active community involvement. - What type of student thrives at this school? - Students who value a faith-based, community-oriented environment with opportunities in academics and sport. - What opportunities are available for students to extend their skills (academics, sports, arts)? - Accelerated senior subjects, leadership roles, sport teams, music ensembles, drama productions and coding/debate clubs. - How does the school communicate with parents? - Regular newsletters, parent portals, parent-teacher conferences and targeted communications for events and updates. - What is the school’s approach to teaching and learning? - Emphasis on universal literacy and numeracy, a mix of traditional instruction with collaborative and experiential learning. - How does the school support students who need extra academic help? - Access to EAL/SEN support, tutoring options or dedicated learning support staff where available. - What support is available for academic challenges? - Targeted intervention plans, mentorship and additional classroom supports as needed. - What are the class sizes and how much individual attention do students receive? - Class sizes typically around 22–26 students, with opportunities for teacher support within and outside class time. - What extracurricular and sports opportunities are available? - A broad range of sports and clubs, including robotics, chess, coding, debating, music and drama. - What facilities does the school offer (sports, science, arts)? - Sports facilities, science labs, music and performing arts spaces, libraries and tech/innovation labs. - What is the school’s approach to technology and digital learning? - Integration of digital tools to support learning, with a focus on responsible use and digital literacy. - What transport and accessibility options are available? - Access to public transport options in Strathfield region; nearby train/bus routes and parking considerations. - What are the typical school fees or additional costs? - Fees exist and are generally in the medium-to-high range for NSW Catholic schools; exact amounts vary by year and program selection. ⸻ ## 10. Short Pros & Cons list - Pros - Catholic ethos with a values-based education - Strong pastoral care and community atmosphere - Broad range of academic and co-curricular opportunities - Competitive sport and arts programs - Support for diverse learners and transitional assistance - Cons - Fees can be higher than public options - Commute considerations for families outside the Strathfield area - Highly selective environments may mean waiting lists for popular year levels ⸻