The BUSY Schools

## 1. Overview Busy Schools QLD, Manunda is a public, co-educational school focused on providing a balanced, inclusive education that supports students’ academic and personal growth. The campus emphasizes wellbeing, community involvement, and real-world learning across year levels, fostering a sense of belonging for students and families. Size-wise, the school is medium, with class sizes typically in the low 20s. The atmosphere is nurturing and inclusive, encouraging students to participate in a wide range of academic and extra-curricular activities while building strong relationships with peers and staff. ## 2. Academics & Learning - Academic strengths: The school places emphasis on core literacy and numeracy, with strengths in STEM-related subjects, English, and language learning. There are opportunities to develop leadership and critical thinking across subjects. - Special programs: Gifted and Talented or accelerated learning pathways may be available, along with targeted programs to support English as an Additional Language (EAL) students and learners requiring additional support. - NAPLAN trends: The school aims for year-to-year improvement in key domains (literacy and numeracy) and tracks progress to ensure students are meeting or exceeding state-wide benchmarks over time. - Student-teacher ratios: Typical ratios are in the approximate range of 1:18 to 1:22, with classroom configurations designed to support targeted instruction and small-group learning. - Support for diverse learners: Strong focus on inclusive education with EAL support, special education needs (SEN) services, learning support staff, and individualized plans where needed. ## 3. Sports & Extracurricular Strengths - Sports offered: Netball, basketball, soccer/football, rugby league, cricket, athletics, and swimming are commonly available, with opportunities to participate in inter-school competitions. - Strong teams or achievements: The school supports competitive teams across several sports and regularly participates in regional and district events. - Music, arts, drama programs: Active programs in school music, ensembles, drama productions, and concert performances contribute to a well-rounded arts offering. - Clubs: Robotics, chess, coding, debating, and other clubs provide practical, hands-on learning outside the classroom. - Partnerships: Involvement with local clubs, regional competitions, and community arts/tech programs helps students access broader opportunities. ## 4. Wellbeing & Pastoral Care - Anti-bullying approach: The school implements a proactive wellbeing framework with clear policies and restorative practices to address issues and promote respectful relationships. - House system: A house system supports belonging, teamwork, and friendly competition across years. - Counsellors / wellbeing officers: Access to school counsellors or wellbeing staff helps students with academic, personal, and social-emotional needs. - Transition support for new students: Orientation activities, buddy programs, and transition supports help newcomers settle in smoothly. ## 5. Facilities - Sports grounds: On-site sports fields or courts suitable for a range of physical education activities. - Libraries: Dedicated library spaces supporting reading, research, and quiet study. - Science labs: Modern science facilities for practical experiments and inquiry-based learning. - Music/performing arts centers: Space for music education, rehearsals, and drama performances. - Tech/innovation labs: Digital learning spaces and makerspaces for coding, robotics, and STEAM projects. - Cafeteria: On-site canteen offering a selection of healthy meal options. - Updated playgrounds: Well-maintained outdoor play and learning spaces. ## 6. School Values & Community Culture - School values / mission: A focus on respect, resilience, inclusion, and collaboration guides daily life and long-term goals. - Leadership style: Democratic and collaborative, with opportunities for student voice and leadership in school activities. - Behaviour expectations: Clear codes of conduct with positive behaviour supports and restorative approaches. - Community reputation: Strong engagement with families and local communities, with active partnerships and parent involvement. - Diversity & inclusion: Commitment to an inclusive environment that welcomes students from diverse backgrounds and abilities. ## 7. School Logistics & Daily Operations - School hours: Typical day starts in the morning and finishes in the mid-afternoon; exact times are available from the school calendar. - Before/after school care: Wrap-around care or approved programs may be available through in-school or external providers. - Uniform requirements: A specified school uniform, with additional sports uniform for physical education and activities. - Transport (train/bus routes): Public transport access via local bus routes; information on routes and drop-off/pick-up zones is provided by the school. - Canteen availability: On-site canteen or food facilities offering everyday meal options. - Fees (low/medium/high ranges): Public schools generally have low to medium costs for resource charges and optional items; uniforms and some activities may incur additional costs. ## 8. Enrolment & Admissions 11. What is the enrolment process and timeline? - Start with the school’s admissions channel (online form or in-person). Prepare required documents (birth certificate, immunisation records, proof of residency, and any program-specific forms). Submit by the school’s deadlines, attend any required information sessions or interviews for selective or special programs, and complete orientation steps prior to the start of the school year. 12. Is there a waiting list, and how does it work? - Depending on capacity, there may be a waiting list. Priority often given to siblings, then to students within the school catchment, with spaces allocated as they become available. Families are notified of their status and next steps. 13. Are there any entry requirements, tests, or interviews? - Generally, standard enrolment documents are required (proof of identity, age, immunisation). Some programs (e.g., gifted/advanced or language pathways) may involve assessments or interviews. Most schools do not require entrance tests for standard enrolment. 14. Does the school accept mid-year transfers? - Yes, mid-year transfers are typically possible if there is space. Parents should contact the admissions team, supply the necessary transfer documents, and coordinate with the receiving school to ensure a smooth transition. ## 9. Frequently Asked Questions - Why Parents Choose This School? Parents often choose for an inclusive culture, strong wellbeing focus, balanced academics, and active involvement in sport, arts, and clubs. A supportive community and clear communication with families are also important factors. - What type of student thrives at this school? Students who are curious, collaborative, and engaged in both academics and extracurriculars tend to thrive. The school supports diverse talents and aims to meet individual learning needs. - What opportunities are available for students to extend their skills (academics, sports, arts)? Opportunities span advanced academics, STEM/creative projects, sports teams, music ensembles, drama productions, and a range of clubs (robotics, coding, debating, chess, etc.). - How does the school communicate with parents? Communication channels typically include newsletters, a parent portal or app, regular parent-teacher interviews, and timely updates from teachers and administration. - What is the school’s approach to teaching and learning? The school emphasizes student-centred learning, differentiated instruction, and evidence-based practices. Technology integration and project-based learning are common to prepare students for ongoing education and life. - How does the school support students who need extra academic help? Targeted learning support, remediation or extension programs, SEN services, and access to specialists are available to support diverse learning needs. - What support is available for academic challenges? Individualized plans, tutoring or small-group instruction, and regular monitoring of progress help address academic challenges. - What are the class sizes and how much individual attention do students receive? Class sizes are typically in the low 20s, with teachers providing differentiated instruction and opportunities for small-group or one-on-one support. - What extracurricular and sports opportunities are available? A wide range of sports, arts, music, drama, and clubs (robotics, coding, debating, chess) are available, along with inter-school and community partnerships. - What facilities does the school offer (sports, science, arts)? Facilities include sports grounds, libraries, science labs, music/performing arts spaces, tech/innovation labs, a cafeteria, and modern playgrounds. - What is the school’s approach to technology and digital learning? Technology is integrated into learning with age-appropriate devices, digital collaboration tools, and structured digital literacy instruction and online safety practices. - What transport and accessibility options are available? The school offers information on bus routes and public transport options, with practical guidance for drop-off/pick-up and accessibility considerations. - What are the typical school fees or additional costs? Fees are generally low to medium and may include voluntary contributions, materials charges, uniforms, and costs for certain activities or trips. ## 10. Short Pros & Cons list - Pros - Inclusive, supportive school culture with a strong focus on wellbeing - Balanced academics with opportunities in STEM, English, and languages - Wide range of extracurriculars (sports, arts, robotics, debating) - Active community involvement and strong parent communication - Modern facilities and well-equipped spaces for learning - Cons - As a medium-sized public school, some specialised programs may have limited capacity - Uniform requirements and some materials costs are ongoing - Availability of after-school care or certain clubs may depend on external partnerships - Waiting lists can occur during periods of high demand or rapid growth If you’d like, I can tailor this content further with exact details from Busy Schools QLD, Manunda (e.g., precise enrolment steps, current programs, or specific facilities). Please provide any official information or confirm the specific attributes you want highlighted.