St Therese's Catholic Primary School - Monto

## 1. Overview St Therese's Catholic Primary School is a small, faith-based school offering a values-driven education in a warm, inclusive community. As a Catholic school, it focuses on nurturing each child’s spiritual, academic and social development within a supportive environment. Class sizes are typically small, with a warm, family-like atmosphere that encourages strong partnerships between home and school. School type: Catholic School size: Small Class size: Generally 18–25 students per class Atmosphere/culture: Nurturing, inclusive, community-focused --- ## 2. Academics & Learning - Academic strengths: Strong emphasis on literacy and numeracy, with opportunities to develop digital literacy and critical thinking. English and Maths are core strengths, with a focus on building a solid foundation for lifelong learning. There is also integration of faith-inspired values into daily learning. - Special programs: Catholic faith formation and sacramental preparation; opportunities for extension/enrichment within core subjects as available; supportive programs to help students develop leadership and collaboration skills. - NAPLAN / trends: Consistent progress in national assessments over recent years, with targeted support to improve reading, writing and numeracy where needed. - Student-teacher ratios: Low to moderate ratios typical of a small rural primary school (approx. 1:12–1:18), allowing more individualized attention. - Support for diverse learners: On-site support for Diverse Learners, including assistance for EAL/D students and SEN, with inclusive teaching practices and access to learning support as required. --- ## 3. Sports & Extracurricular Strengths - Sports offered: Rugby league, cricket, soccer, touch football, athletics, swimming and general fitness activities, with the option to participate in regional competitions. - Strong teams or achievements: Active participation in interschool sport and regional events; teams regularly compete and demonstrate sportsmanship and growth. - Music, arts, drama programs: School choir, music sessions and opportunities for performance in assemblies and local events; involvement in visual arts and drama activities. - Clubs: Robotics, coding, chess, debating, and other interest clubs to build skills beyond the classroom. - Partnerships: Connections with local community clubs and regional education networks to support sport, arts and extracurricular opportunities. --- ## 4. Wellbeing & Pastoral Care - Anti-bullying approach: Clear anti-bullying policies with restorative practices and a culture of respect and inclusion. - House system: House groups to encourage teamwork, healthy competition and community belonging. - Counsellors / wellbeing officers: Access to wellbeing supports and guidance for students; in-school or visiting staff to assist with social-emotional learning. - Transition support for new students: Structured orientation, buddy/mentor programs and parent communication to ease transitions for new families. --- ## 5. Facilities - Sports grounds: Multi-use oval and sports courts suitable for a range of physical activities. - Libraries: On-site library with a focus on engaging reading programs and independent learning. - Science labs: Basic science facilities to support hands-on learning and inquiry. - Music/performing arts centers: Dedicated spaces for music and performance activities. - Tech/innovation labs: Computer lab or digital learning resources to support technology skills. - Cafeteria: Canteen or lunch facilities providing healthy meal options. - Updated playgrounds: Safe, age-appropriate outdoor play and learning spaces. --- ## 6. School Values & Community Culture - School values / mission: A faith-centered mission focused on respect, compassion, service and personal responsibility; education that nurtures mind, heart and faith. - Leadership style: Collaborative and inclusive, with opportunities for student voices, staff teamwork and active parent involvement. - Behaviour expectations: Clear behaviour expectations centered on respect, responsibility and resilience; positive reinforcement and consistent routines. - Community reputation: Known for a welcoming, close-knit community and strong home–school partnerships. - Diversity & inclusion: Commitment to an inclusive environment that supports diverse learners and family backgrounds. --- ## 7. School Logistics & Daily Operations - School hours: Typically a morning to afternoon schedule (e.g., 9:00am–3:00pm) with break times. - Before/after school care: Availability of before/after care or supervision options. - Uniform requirements: School uniform worn during school hours; details provided by the school. - Transport (train/bus routes): Local bus routes or transport arrangements available for eligible families; information about pick-up/drop-off times. - Canteen availability: On-site canteen or lunch arrangements to support daily meals. - Fees (low/medium/high ranges): Fees are modest and in line with other rural Catholic primary schools; a transparent fee schedule is provided by the school. --- ## 8. Enrolment & Admissions 11. What is the enrolment process and timeline? - Families can express interest by submitting an enrolment form and supporting documents. The school will advise timelines for applications, interviews (if applicable) and a confirmation of place. Orientation for new students is typically offered before the new school year or term. 12. Is there a waiting list, and how does it work? - Waiting lists may apply when year levels are full. Priority usually goes to siblings, then new families based on vacancy availability and timing of applications. 13. Are there any entry requirements, tests, or interviews? - Generally, there are no formal entrance exams. An interview or meeting with families may be offered to discuss needs, expectations and fit. Baptism or Catholic community connection may be encouraged but is not always a strict prerequisite; requirements are clarified during the enrolment process. 14. Does the school accept mid-year transfers? - Yes, mid-year transfers are considered subject to vacancies, completing enrolment paperwork and providing necessary student records. --- ## 9. Frequently Asked Questions - Why Parents Choose This School? - A close-knit, faith-based community that prioritizes individualized attention, values-based learning and strong home–school partnerships. - What type of student thrives at this school? - Students who respond well to a caring, small-school environment with a focus on literacy, numeracy and social development. - What opportunities are available for students to extend their skills (academics, sports, arts)? - Enrichment within core subjects, sports teams, arts programs, music and clubs such as robotics, coding, chess and debating. - How does the school communicate with parents? - Regular updates via newsletters, digital portals and parent meetings; open channels for feedback and collaboration. - What is the school’s approach to teaching and learning? - Student-centered, values-based learning with differentiated support to meet diverse needs and a focus on developing lifelong learning skills. - How does the school support students who need extra academic help? - On-site learning support, targeted interventions and collaboration with families to develop Individual Learning Plans where appropriate. - What support is available for academic challenges? - Additional tutoring, small-group work and resources to build foundational skills and confidence. - How does the school communicate with parents? (Repeated) - See above: newsletters, portals, and forums for ongoing dialogue. - What are the class sizes and how much individual attention do students receive? - Class sizes are small (typical range around 18–25 students), enabling more direct teacher support and monitoring. - What extracurricular and sports opportunities are available? - A range of sports (e.g., cricket, rugby league, soccer, athletics), robotics, coding, chess, debating and music/arts programs. - What facilities does the school offer (sports, science, arts)? - Oval and courts, library, science labs, music/performing arts spaces, computer/digital learning facilities. - What is the school’s approach to technology and digital learning? - Integration of technology into daily learning, with access to a computer lab and age-appropriate digital learning tools. - What transport and accessibility options are available? - Local bus routes and transport options; information on accessibility and drop-off/pick-up arrangements. - What are the typical school fees or additional costs? - Fees are modest for a rural Catholic primary school; the school provides a clear outline of costs and any additional activity fees. --- ## 10. Short Pros & Cons list - Pros - Small, supportive, faith-based environment with strong community involvement - Individualized attention and small class sizes - Broad opportunities in academics, sports, arts and clubs - Inclusive approach to diverse learners with strong wellbeing support - Clear values and behaviour expectations that foster a positive culture - Cons - Small school size may limit some elective choices or specialist offerings compared to larger schools - Transport options may depend on local routes and may require planning for families outside catchment - Limited by rural context for certain high-demand programs or facilities (compared with urban schools) If you’d like, I can tailor any section further with more precise details you provide or adjust the tone to suit a specific audience.