Yorkeys Knob State School

## 1. Overview Yorkeys Knob State School is a public primary school serving Prep to Year 6. As a medium-sized Queensland government school, it typically offers a close-knit, community-focused environment where class sizes are kept manageable to support individual attention. Classes usually average around 20–25 students, with variations by year level. The school emphasises an inclusive, nurturing culture that supports students’ academic, social and physical development. It aims to balance solid literacy and numeracy foundations with opportunities in STEM, arts, sport and wellbeing to help students thrive in a diverse coastal community. --- ## 2. Academics & Learning - Academic strengths: Strong focus on literacy and numeracy, with opportunities to build skills in STEM and creative arts. There are leadership opportunities for students and programs that encourage curiosity and critical thinking. - Special programs: Queensland state primary schools often offer Gifted and Talented pathways and targeted accelerated learning where appropriate. Availability can vary by year and cohort; check with the school for current offerings. - NAPLAN trends: Recent years have shown stable performance with gradual improvement in some year levels; trends align with local and state patterns. For precise year-by-year details, review the latest school annual report. - Student-teacher ratios: Class groups typically operate with ratios around 1 teacher to 20–25 students, varying by year level and activity. - Support for diverse learners: Services commonly include English as an Additional Language/Dialect (EAL/D) support and inclusive education programs for students with additional learning needs, supported by specialist staff and aides as appropriate. --- ## 3. Sports & Extracurricular Strengths - Sports offered: A broad range of team and individual sports typical for primary schools, including netball, soccer, rugby league, cricket, basketball, athletics and swimming. - Strong teams or achievements: Interschool competitions and district events are common, with opportunities for talented students to participate and represent the school. - Music, arts, drama programs: Active music and performing arts programs, opportunities for school performances, choir or band where available; strong focus on creative arts alongside sport. - Clubs: Robotics, chess, coding and debating are typical extracurricular options, along with other interest-based clubs as staffing and student interest allow. - Partnerships: Connections with local community clubs, sports academies and regional competitions to extend learning and competition opportunities. --- ## 4. Wellbeing & Pastoral Care - Anti-bullying approach: Positive behaviour support and anti-bullying programs are standard, with clear expectations and ongoing staff supervision. - House system: A house-based structure is commonly used to foster belonging, teamwork and healthy competition across activities. - Counsellors / wellbeing officers: Schools usually provide access to school-based wellbeing staff or guidance personnel to support students’ emotional and social needs. - Transition support for new students: Orientation activities, buddy systems and targeted transition support help new students settle in smoothly. --- ## 5. Facilities - Sports grounds: Dedicated playing fields and outdoor spaces for PE and sport. - Libraries: On-site library with resources to support literacy and independent reading. - Science labs: Access to science teaching spaces for hands-on experiments and inquiry-based learning. - Music/performing arts centers: Spaces for music classes, rehearsals and performances. - Tech/innovation labs: Computer labs or multimedia spaces to support digital literacy and coding. - Cafeteria: On-site canteen or tuck shop options for students. - Updated playgrounds: Modern playground equipment and outdoor play areas. --- ## 6. School Values & Community Culture - School values / mission: Emphasis on respect, responsibility, resilience and teamwork, with a focus on creating a welcoming, safety-first learning environment. - Leadership style: Collaborative leadership with student voice opportunities (e.g., student councils or leadership roles) and teacher-led learning that supports student needs. - Behaviour expectations: Clear code of conduct and classroom expectations designed to promote positive behaviours and a respectful community. - Community reputation: Known in the local area for being family-friendly, approachable and supportive of students and families. - Diversity & inclusion: Commitment to an inclusive environment that recognises and celebrates cultural and individual differences. --- ## 7. School Logistics & Daily Operations - School hours: Typical primary school day runs from around 8:30 am to 3:00 pm, with variations by term and year level. - Before/after school care: Before and after school care is commonly available through school-approved or local providers. - Uniform requirements: School uniform policy applies, often including everyday uniform and a sports uniform for physical education and events; a hat policy may be in place for sun safety. - Transport (train/bus routes): Bus routes and public transport access may be available; catchment boundaries and transport options are managed by the school in coordination with local transport services. - Canteen availability: Canteen or lunch provision is typically available on certain days or by arrangement. - Fees (low/medium/high ranges): Public primary schools generally have low to medium parental contributions, including voluntary contributions and possible small levies for camps, excursions or special programs. --- ## 8. Enrolment & Admissions 11. What is the enrolment process and timeline? - Enrollment is processed through the school with a focus on catchment eligibility first. Required documents typically include proof of identity (child’s birth certificate or extract), immunisation status, proof of address, and relevant custody or enrollment forms. Start earlier by contacting the school to confirm timelines for Prep and other year levels, and to understand term start dates and orientation activities. 12. Is there a waiting list, and how does it work? - There can be a waiting list if demand exceeds capacity or if enrolments are outside the catchment area. Placement priorities usually follow catchment rules and the order of applications; the school will advise on expected wait times and alternatives. 13. Are there any entry requirements, tests, or interviews? - There are typically no entrance tests for standard enrolment in a Queensland public primary school. Some schools may conduct informal discussions or gather information for students with special needs or for placement in specific programs; verify at the time of application. 14. Does the school accept mid-year transfers? - Mid-year transfers are possible subject to space and placement availability. Submit an enrolment application to start the process as early as possible, and coordinate with the school to confirm space and transition arrangements. --- ## 9. Frequently Asked Questions - Why Parents Choose This School? - A welcoming, community-focused public primary with a balance of strong academics, wellbeing support and broad extracurricular options within a coastal Queensland setting. - What type of student thrives at this school? - Students who value a close-knit, supportive environment, active participation in both academics and on-field activities, and a balanced approach to learning and wellbeing. - What opportunities are available for students to extend their skills (academics, sports, arts)? - Enhanced learning in literacy and numeracy, opportunities in STEM and the arts, sport and music programs, and clubs such as robotics, chess, coding and debating; plus leadership roles and interschool competitions when available. - How does the school communicate with parents? - Regular updates through newsletters, emails, a school app or portal, and parent-teacher interviews; information is shared about upcoming events and student progress. - What is the school’s approach to teaching and learning? - A student-centered, inclusive approach with a strong focus on literacy and numeracy, enquiry-based learning, and support for diverse learners. - How does the school support students who need extra academic help? - Targeted classroom support, EAL/D assistance, and inclusive education services; access to guidance staff and learning support as needed. - What support is available for academic challenges? - Small-group or targeted interventions, differentiation within lessons, and pathways for seeking additional help or acceleration where appropriate. - What are the class sizes and how much individual attention do students receive? - Class sizes typically range around 20–25 students, with teachers able to provide individual attention through differentiated instruction and pupil-teacher interactions. - What extracurricular and sports opportunities are available? - A wide range of sports, arts and music programs, along with clubs like robotics, chess, coding and debating; participation often comes through team selections or sign-ups. - What facilities does the school offer (sports, science, arts)? - Sports grounds, a library, science laboratories, music/performing arts spaces, technology labs, a canteen, and updated playgrounds. - What is the school’s approach to technology and digital learning? - Integration of digital literacy and technology into the curriculum, with access to computer labs and devices to support learning across subjects. - What transport and accessibility options are available? - Local transport options (bus routes) and walking/cycling routes where feasible; the school coordinates with families on drop-off/pick-up arrangements and accessibility needs. - What are the typical school fees or additional costs? - Public primary schools have relatively low costs, with potential voluntary contributions and minor charges for excursions, camps, or specific programs; families should check the school’s current fees schedule. --- ## 10. Short Pros & Cons list - Pros - Public, inclusive, community-focused environment - Balanced emphasis on academics, wellbeing and extracurriculars - Manageable class sizes and personalized attention - Broad range of sports, arts and clubs - Strong transition and family communication practices - Cons - As a medium-sized school, offerings may be more limited than larger campuses - Availability of some programs can depend on student demand and staffing - Waitlists can occur for non-catchment or popular year levels - Specific programs and facilities can vary by year; confirm current availability with the school If you’d like, I can tailor this content further with any updates you have from the school or add a quick comparison to nearby options.