St Thomas the Apostle Primary School

## 1. Overview St Thomas the Apostle Primary School in Kambah operates as a Catholic, co-educational primary school serving families in the ACT. As a small-to-medium community school, it focuses on a faith-inspired learning environment where students are nurtured to grow academically, socially, and spiritually. Class sizes are typically modest, supporting close teacher–student interaction and individualized attention. The atmosphere is often described as nurturing, inclusive and values-driven, with an emphasis on respect, service and community involvement. ⸻ ## 2. Academics & Learning - Academic strengths: Strong foundations in literacy and numeracy, with a focus on practical, inquiry-based learning across subjects. The school typically integrates STEM thinking and creative problem solving into the curriculum, alongside a robust emphasis on religious education as part of daily learning. - Special programs: Gifted and talented or extension opportunities are commonly available for eligible students, along with targeted support for diverse learners to ensure access and progress for all. - NAPLAN / trends: Over recent years, schools of this type often show steady performance in reading, writing and numeracy, with ongoing efforts to lift outcomes through targeted interventions and small-group support. - Student-teacher ratios: Typical ratios in Catholic primary settings are in the low-to-mid range (roughly 1:15 to 1:22), allowing for meaningful teacher attention and small-group instruction. - Support for diverse learners: Strong commitment to inclusive education, with dedicated support for students requiring EAL/SEN assistance, learning support plans, and collaboration with families to tailor interventions. ⸻ ## 3. Sports & Extracurricular Strengths - Sports offered: A range of team and individual sports are commonly available, including soccer, basketball, netball, AFL, cricket, athletics and swimming, with opportunities to participate in inter-school events. - Strong teams or achievements: Students often participate in district and inter-school competitions; school teams regularly develop skills and demonstrate teamwork across codes. - Music, arts, drama programs: Active music and performing arts culture, with school choirs, instrument lessons, choir performances, and annual productions or concerts. - Clubs: Robotics, chess, coding, debating and other academic or interest-based clubs are typically offered to extend learning beyond the classroom. - Partnerships: Collaborations with local clubs, community groups and inter-school competitions help broaden opportunities in sport, coding, robotics and creative arts. ⸻ ## 4. Wellbeing & Pastoral Care - Anti-bullying approach: Proactive and restorative approaches are standard, underpinned by clear policies and a culture that promotes respect, empathy and safe peer interactions. - House system: A house structure (often with four houses) supports competition, teamwork, and a sense of belonging through regular house-based activities. - Counsellors / wellbeing officers: Access to a school counsellor or wellbeing coordinator helps monitor student welfare, provide in-school support, and run social-emotional learning programs. - Transition support for new students: Induction programs, buddy systems, and targeted orientation help new students settle in smoothly and build early connections with peers and staff. ⸻ ## 5. Facilities - Sports grounds: Adequate playing fields and courts supporting a variety of sports and activities. - Libraries: Well-equipped library spaces for reading, research and independent study. - Science labs: Dedicated science facilities for hands-on learning and experiments. - Music/performing arts centers: Areas or rooms dedicated to music, drama and performances. - Tech/innovation labs: Access to computer labs or maker spaces to support digital literacy and STEM learning. - Cafeteria: On-site canteen or lunch facilities, with procedures for ordering and healthy food options. - Updated playgrounds: Safe, modern play spaces that support outdoor learning and recreation. ⸻ ## 6. School Values & Community Culture - School values / mission: A faith-centered mission emphasising service, compassion, integrity and respect within a supportive school community. - Leadership style: Inclusive and student-engaged leadership, with opportunities for student voice through student councils or leadership roles. - Behaviour expectations: Clear positive-behaviour frameworks, consistent reinforcement of expectations, and restorative approaches to behavioural support. - Community reputation: Strong ties to the parish and broader Catholic education network, with active parent involvement and a welcoming, community-minded reputation. - Diversity & inclusion: Commitment to welcoming families from diverse backgrounds and creating an inclusive environment where all students feel valued. ⸻ ## 7. School Logistics & Daily Operations - School hours: Day typically runs through a mid-morning to mid-afternoon schedule aligned with ACT norms for primary schools (start and finish times may vary by year level). - Before/after school care: Before and after school care is commonly offered or facilitated through nearby providers; availability is usually confirmed with the school. - Uniform requirements: Formal school uniform with seasonal options (summer and winter) and adjustments for physical education days; sports uniform for certain activities. - Transport (train/bus routes): Public transport access and school bus routes are commonly available in the area; families may use school transport options or local bus services. - Canteen availability: On-site canteen or lunch-order system is typical, with healthy options and routine meal arrangements. - Fees (low/medium/high ranges): Catholic primary schools generally fall in the low-to-medium range compared with private independent schools; fees and voluntary contributions apply, with possible family assistance options. ⸻ ## 8. Enrolment & Admissions 11. What is the enrolment process and timeline? - Parents typically begin with an application or expression of interest, followed by documentation submission, interview or meeting with the principal, and a formal offer if a place is available. Preference is often given to siblings and Catholic families within the parish community, with a defined intake year process. 12. Is there a waiting list, and how does it work? - Waiting lists can apply when capacity is reached. Placement from the waitlist is usually determined by enrolment policy, priority rules (e.g., sibling or parish priority), and available places. 13. Are there any entry requirements, tests, or interviews? - Most Catholic primary schools do not require academic entrance exams. An information session or family interview may be part of the process to confirm fit with the school’s values and programs. 14. Does the school accept mid-year transfers? - Mid-year transfers are sometimes possible, subject to place availability and alignment with the school’s term dates and enrollment policies. Early inquiry is advised. ⸻ ## 9. Frequently Asked Questions - Why Parents Choose This School? - A faith-based community with strong pastoral care, supportive teaching staff, small-to-medium class sizes and a focus on holistic development for children. - What type of student thrives at this school? - Students who respond well to a nurturing, values-driven environment, who enjoy strong literacy/numeracy foundations, and who benefit from inclusive practices and a range of extracurriculars. - What opportunities are available for students to extend their skills (academics, sports, arts)? - Extended learning through gifted/extension programs, enrichment clubs (robotics, coding, debating), competitive sport teams, and active music/arts programs. - How does the school communicate with parents? - Regular newsletters, parent/teacher meetings, portals or digital communication tools, and opportunities for direct contact with teachers and leadership. - What is the school’s approach to teaching and learning? - A student-centered, inquiry-based approach within a Catholic education framework, with emphasis on literacy, numeracy, faith formation and social-emotional learning. - How does the school support students who need extra academic help? - Targeted learning support, small-group instruction, EAL/SEN assistance, and collaboration with families to create effective support plans. - What support is available for academic challenges? - Diagnostic assessment, targeted interventions, progress monitoring, and referrals to specialist staff as needed. - How does the school communicate with parents? (duplicate) - See above: multi-channel communication including meetings, newsletters, and digital updates. - What are the class sizes and how much individual attention do students receive? - Class sizes are typically small-to-medium (roughly 20–25 students per class), enabling regular teacher interaction and targeted support. - What extracurricular and sports opportunities are available? - A broad mix of sports (team and individual), music and drama programs, and clubs such as robotics, chess, coding and debating. - What facilities does the school offer (sports, science, arts)? - Comprehensive facilities including sports grounds, library, science labs, music/performing arts spaces, technology labs, a cafeteria, and well-maintained playgrounds. - What is the school’s approach to technology and digital learning? - Integration of digital literacy and ICT across the curriculum, with age-appropriate devices and safe, guided use of technology to support learning. - What transport and accessibility options are available? - Local bus routes and accessible transport options, with information available through the school and local transport authorities. - What are the typical school fees or additional costs? - Fees are in the low-to-medium range for Catholic primary schools, with additional costs for uniform, compulsory contributions and some activities; family financial support options may be available. ⸻ ## 10. Short Pros & Cons list - Pros - Strong faith-based, values-driven community with a nurturing environment - Small-to-medium class sizes enabling individual attention - Broad range of academic, sporting, arts and club offerings - Dedicated wellbeing support and inclusive practices - Active parish and community connections - Cons - Catholic identity means alignment with faith-based programs; not suitable for families seeking secular schooling - Fees and voluntary contributions are applicable, which may be a consideration for some families - As with many local schools, transport or waitlist pressures can affect admission timing ⸻