## 1. Overview
The Anglican School Googong is an independent Anglican school serving families in Googong and the surrounding Canberra region. It provides a values-based education in a medium-sized, community-focused setting that supports students from early years through to senior years. The school emphasizes pastoral care and a nurturing yet academically oriented culture, with class sizes that allow for individual attention within a collaborative learning environment.
School type: Independent Anglican
School size: medium
Class size: typically around 20–25 students per class
Atmosphere/culture: nurturing, inclusive, academic, and community-minded
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## 2. Academics & Learning
- Academic strengths: literacy and numeracy foundations, STEM pathways, English and humanities, leadership development, and language study.
- Special programs: gifted and talented opportunities, accelerated learning options, and targeted enrichment within year groups.
- NAPLAN trends: the school aims for steady year-over-year progress in reading, writing, and numeracy across key year levels.
- Student-teacher ratios: approximately 1 teacher for every 12–15 students, enabling some small-group instruction.
- Support for diverse learners: dedicated EAL support, inclusive education approaches, and targeted assistance for students with additional learning needs (SEN).
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## 3. Sports & Extracurricular Strengths
- Sports offered: rugby, soccer, cricket, netball, basketball, athletics, swimming, and other commonly offered NSW/ACT programs.
- Strong teams or achievements: participation in regional and inter-school competitions with a focus on skill development, teamwork, and sportsmanship.
- Music, arts, drama programs: active music ensembles, drama productions, and opportunities in performing arts.
- Clubs: robotics, coding, chess, debating, and other interest-based activities.
- Partnerships: connections with local clubs, regional competitions, and community-based programs to extend opportunities beyond the classroom.
Most parents of boys aged 10–14 find the sports and extracurriculars provide meaningful balance, teamwork, and leadership experiences.
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## 4. Wellbeing & Pastoral Care
- Anti-bullying approach: clear policies and proactive programs to promote respectful relationships and a safe school culture.
- House system: a house structure that fosters belonging, friendly competition, and support networks among students.
- Counsellors / wellbeing officers: dedicated staff who support student welfare, mental health, and resilience.
- Transition support for new students: orientation activities, buddy systems, and targeted transition programs to help newcomers settle in smoothly.
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## 5. Facilities
- Sports grounds
- Libraries
- Science labs
- Music / performing arts centers
- Tech / innovation labs
- Cafeteria
- Updated playgrounds
The facilities are designed to be visually engaging and easy to navigate, supporting a wide range of learning and activity needs.
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## 6. School Values & Community Culture
- School values / mission: a clear emphasis on character, service, integrity, and excellence within an Anglican framework.
- Leadership style: collaborative and inclusive, with opportunities for student voice and leadership roles.
- Behaviour expectations: a positive behaviour framework built on respect, responsibility, and accountability.
- Community reputation: a family-friendly, supportive reputation known for strong pastoral care and community involvement.
- Diversity & inclusion: an inclusive culture that welcomes diverse backgrounds and learning needs, with supportive pathways for all students.
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## 7. School Logistics & Daily Operations
- School hours: standard daytime schedule with start and finish times aligned to NSW/ACT norms and school policies.
- Before/after school care: available options to support families with early drop-offs and after-school needs.
- Uniform requirements: official school uniform with guidelines provided during enrolment.
- Transport: bus routes and convenient transport options where available, with safety considerations in place.
- Canteen availability: canteen or food services offering healthy meal and snack options.
- Fees: fee levels are positioned in the mid-to-higher range for independent schools, with details provided upon enrolment.
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## 8. Enrolment & Admissions
### 11. What is the enrolment process and timeline?
- Online expression of interest or application.
- Submission of required documents and any assessment or references.
- Shortlisting and interview or assessment for relevant year levels.
- Offer of place, acceptance, and enrolment documentation.
- Orientation and intake information provided before the start of the year.
### 12. Is there a waiting list, and how does it work?
- Waiting lists may apply for certain year levels or programs. Places are offered based on availability, enrolment priorities, and date of application. Applicants on the waiting list are kept informed about expected timelines and next steps.
### 13. Are there any entry requirements, tests, or interviews?
- Interviews or information sessions are commonly part of the process.
- Some year levels may have assessments or an admissions review to understand alignment with the school’s programs and ethos.
- References from previous schools and a review of supporting documentation are typical components.
### 14. Does the school accept mid-year transfers?
- Yes, mid-year transfers may be possible where space permits and alignment with the cohort schedule is achievable. Prospective families should contact the admissions team to discuss availability and transition arrangements.
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## 9. Frequently Asked Questions
- Why Parents Choose This School?
- A values-based Anglican education, strong pastoral care, a welcoming community, solid academics, and well-rounded opportunities in sport, arts, and clubs.
- What type of student thrives at this school?
- Students who are curious, collaborative, engaged in both academics and co-curriculars, and who value a supportive, respectful school culture.
- What opportunities are available for students to extend their skills (academics, sports, arts)?
- Enrichment in STEM and literacy, leadership programs, accelerated options, competitive sport teams, performing arts productions, music ensembles, robotics and coding clubs, and debating.
- How does the school communicate with parents?
- Regular newsletters, a parent portal, emails, parent-teacher meetings, and timely updates on events and student progress.
- What is the school’s approach to teaching and learning?
- Student-centered, inquiry-based learning with a focus on literacy, numeracy, and critical thinking, complemented by technology integration and differentiated support.
- How does the school support students who need extra academic help?
- Targeted learning support, intervention programs, EAL assistance, SEN coordination, and small-group tutoring where appropriate.
- What support is available for academic challenges?
- Access to learning support staff, personalised learning plans, and collaboration with families to monitor progress and adjust strategies.
- How does the school communicate with parents? (Note: see above for typical channels)
- Principal updates, year-level newsletters, portal access, and scheduled meetings to discuss student progress.
- What are the class sizes and how much individual attention do students receive?
- Class sizes are typically in the low–mid 20s, with opportunities for small-group teaching and targeted teacher attention.
- What extracurricular and sports opportunities are available?
- A broad range of sports (team and individual), music and drama programs, robotics, coding, chess, debating, and partnerships with local clubs for wider competition.
- What facilities does the school offer (sports, science, arts)?
- Comprehensive facilities across sports grounds, modern science labs, performing arts spaces, libraries, and dedicated hubs for technology and innovation.
- What is the school’s approach to technology and digital learning?
- Integrated digital learning with age-appropriate technology use, online resources, and digital literacy as part of the curriculum.
- What transport and accessibility options are available?
- Local bus routes or transport options are available where applicable, with accessible facilities and safety protocols.
- What are typical school fees or additional costs?
- Fees are in the mid-to-high range for independent schools, with additional costs for uniforms, excursions, camps, and certain program activities. Specific figures are provided upon enquiry.
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## 10. Short Pros & Cons list
- Pros
- Values-based, Anglican education with strong pastoral care
- Medium-sized, family-focused community
- Solid academics with supportive learning environment
- Broad extracurriculars including sports, arts, and clubs
- Good facilities supporting a range of learning experiences
- Cons
- As an independent school, fees may be higher than public options
- Availability of spaces varies by year level; some year groups may have waiting lists
- Travel times may be longer for families outside the immediate area in regional settings
- Course breadth in some years may be influenced by cohort size and resources
