​1. What grade levels does the school cater for?

St  Catherine’s is a co-educational primary school serving students in a straight stream, two class year level from Prep to Grade 6. 

2. When was the school established and what’s its background?

Founded in 1983, the school began under the leadership of Sr Margaret McKenna (Sisters of Mercy). It was the second school in the St Clare’s parish at Thomastown West. 

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3. What facilities are available at the school?

• Campus size: Approximately 1.3 hectares, about 15 km north of Melbourne’s CBD. 

• Outdoor areas: Landscaped gardens, adventure playgrounds, basketball court, passive play areas, AFL/soccer fields, basketball courts, volley ball courts, cubby houses, quiet deck spaces, synthetic and grassed playgrounds, and kitchen gardens. 

• Indoor facilities: Administration building with principal's office, staffroom, library/resource centre; 14 classrooms including relocatable and multi-purpose rooms; STEM and Visual Arts learning spaces; sacred space for liturgies. 

4. How does the school ensure inclusivity for all learners, including neurodivergent students?

St Catherine’s fosters a welcoming, inclusive environment where every child’s uniqueness is acknowledged and respected. They emphasize that learning is both developmental and individual, and the responsibility of the entire learning community, students, staff, and families alike. The school’s teaching approach includes observation, formative assessment, and tailored adjustments to accommodate diverse learning needs.
 

5. Are there in-house assessments and allied health services available?

Yes. St Catherine’s organises speech and language screenings, conducted by their own speech pathologist, to gather insights into students’ speech and language abilities. Recommendations from these assessments guide further classroom support or additional interventions as needed.

6. What do we know about student outcomes and programs?

• A consistent focus on literacy and numeracy with whole-school approaches. 

• Daily Religious Education, a strong Italian LOTE program, and a Thinking Curriculum. 

• Support for students with learning difficulties via individual learning plans. 

• A learning culture emphasizing data and strong collaboration.

7. How does family and community engagement work?

• The School Council provides parents a voice in school policy and student welfare, advising the Principal and Parish Priest.

• The Parents & Friends Association fosters community engagement through social functions, fundraising, and events.

• Family learning programs include adult workshops: Toddler learning sessions, literacy sessions, faith formation, and anti-bullying initiatives.

8. When does enrolment open, and what are the key dates?

• Prep enrolments open in March and close at the end of May each year.

• Interviews for eligible applicants occur in May, with offers communicated in the first week of June. A $100 deposit toward school fees is required upon acceptance.

• Enrolments for Years 1–6 are accepted year-round, subject to availability.

• School tours are available by appointment—book by calling (03) 9466 2480.

9. What is Little Learners Love Literacy® (LLLL)?

St Catherine’s has a synthetic phonic approach to learning to read. Little Learners Love Literacy® is a structured, evidence-based literacy program designed to help children learn to read, write, and spell with confidence. It uses a multi-sensory, explicit, and sequential approach to teaching phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension Little Learners Love Literacydocuments.acer.org.  LLL progresses in seven carefully planned stages, ensuring that skills build progressively toward mastery

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10.What is the school’s ethos and educational approach?

• A Child Safe School, committed to student safety, wellbeing, and inclusion. 

• Inclusive Catholic faith community, valuing home-school partnerships. 

• Emphasises “I show RESPECT, I act SAFELY & I take RESPONSIBILITY” through a Positive Behaviours for Learning framework. 

• Teaching rooted in the science of learning, encouraging curiosity, problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity. 

• Learning principles: safe, respectful environment; recognition of individual differences; inquiry, feedback, and high expectations.