About our school

As you consider the selection of a primary school for your child, we would like you to consider what it is that we offer at St. Mary’s.

EDUCATION FOR THE FUTURE

Everything that happens at St. Mary’s is targeted to prepare children for their future role in society.

Our learning programs cover the academic, social, emotional, personal, spiritual and physical aspects of each child’s development. Children at St. Mary’s become active participants in our local community. Parents at St. Mary’s play significant roles in many local sporting, recreational and community bodies, this involvement heavily supports the development of children at St. Mary’s.

VALUES BASED

Families from a variety of religious backgrounds choose to send their children to St. Mary’s because we offer an education that fosters the development of fundamental human values in a caring and supportive environment. One of our staff goals is to “Provide a learning environment that gives all students the opportunity to achieve their best and to take an increasing responsibility for their own learning.” Our staff are fully committed to this goal.

PREP TO YEAR 12 OPTIONS

St. Mary’s is the main feeder school to Marian College. The schools operate with close links that, in effect, provide a Prep to Year 12 learning environment focusing on the same values and priorities for education and life. All year six students leaving St. Mary’s are eligible to gain enrolment at Marian College. Children from each of our local kindergartens and from outlying areas are welcomed at St. Mary’s.

MEETING INDIVIDUAL NEEDS

Our current classes range in size from 22 to 26 with additional teaching time and teacher aide time allocated to each classroom to support individual needs. St. Mary’s employs the latest assessment techniques to gain an accurate picture of your child’s needs. St. Mary’s targets the learning programs to meet these needs in a friendly and active classroom environment. Specialist support is provided to those in need. Parent involvement in our educational programs is seen as vital and operates across all grade levels.

REFURBISHED ENVIRONMENT

Our classroom refurbishment program was completed in 2005. All classroom, library and multi-purpose areas have been refurbished and contain the latest information and communications technology. St. Mary’s offers a range of learning spaces that promote a rich and broad curriculum. This year we have begun our Playground Improvement Project. Additional land has been purchased and cleared which will allow the restructuring of our existing playground spaces. More active play space will be provided and the inclusion of new adventure play equipment, natural and artistic features will make the playground a stimulating and enticing play space.

BENEFITS MAXIMISED

The total cost of sending a child to St. Mary’s averages out at less than $20 per school week. Costs are always kept to a minimum with the needs of families our greatest concern. The benefits provided to each child are maximised through a shared commitment to fundraising. There are a variety of payment methods that can be tailored to meet your needs.

CARING STUDENTS

The most impressive aspect of our school is the friendly and caring nature of our student group. Our staff have worked hard to build a climate where the qualities and differences of all are valued. The students respond fantastically to their shared responsibility in maintaining this environment within a clearly defined behaviour management framework strong anti-bullying programs.

The information contained in this booklet gives a broad outline of what we are about. A far better picture is gained by visiting our school during school hours. We’d love to see you.

PROFILE

St Mary’s School is a co-educational Catholic Parish Primary School, encompassing levels from Preparatory to Year 6. The school is situated at Ararat in the western district of Victoria, 200 kilometres from Melbourne.

St Mary’s Catholic School originated as a result of the 1850’s gold rush and the ensuing permanent settlement of the Ararat district. In 1889 the Brigidine Sisters took over the running of the school from lay teacher Mr. Thomas Williams, thus securing for Ararat’s Catholic community a firm basis for their educational and religious development.

The Brigidine Sisters maintained control of the school up until the 2003 school year when Mr Tony Perkins was appointed as the first lay principal.

St Mary’s has an experienced, caring and enthusiastic staff, which works well as a team and is strongly committed to the Catholic education and welfare of the students. The school consists of the Principal, Administration Officers, classroom and part-time teachers who work co-operatively in area units, Librarian and Integration Aides as well as a LOTE (Chinese) specialist from Marian College. St. Mary’s and Marian College enjoy a close working relationship sharing resources and expertise making Catholic Education in Ararat a Prep to Year 12 experience.

A School Community Team consisting of Parish Priest, Principal, parents and staff operates to oversee the development of school policy and general operations.

With a student population of around 170 children St Mary’s encourages the development of positive interpersonal relationships between students, teachers and the parent body.

Christian values and attitudes underpin the curriculum at St Mary’s contributing to the total development of each child and enhancing the learning experience as a whole.

St. Mary’s accesses the latest Professional Development opportunities through the Catholic Education Offices of Ballarat and Melbourne and Department of Education programs, keeping abreast of leading educational theory and practice.

GOSPEL VALUES  

Christ is to be the centre and inspiration of all teachings.

 St. Mary’s is guided by the key Gospel values of:

PEACE: a belief in open and honest communications
LOVE: a belief in selflessness
COMMUNITY: a belief in affirming the presence and worth of everyone as uniquely gifted by the Spirit.
HOPE: a commitment to the view that everyone has a developing future in Christ.
JUSTICE: a commitment to the righting of wrongs done to people. 

LEARNING & TEACHING

All learning and teaching at St. Mary’s reflects the Catholic Ethos of the school. We believe that learning is the right of every student and is:

• founded on an approach which seeks to develop the potential of every individual and encourages self worth.
• fostered in a happy, welcoming and secure environment.
• offered in a comprehensive, integrated and challenging curriculum which is regularly evaluated in the light of current practice and technological advance.
• enriched by the shared resources of the wider community.

We believe that teaching is:

• responsive to the changing needs of learners and society.
• most successful when there is interplay between parents, students and staff to ensure a favourable learning environment.

POLICY

Learning and teaching at St. Mary’s develops in children essential learning practices that will enable them to function effectively in their world as life long learners.

 To fulfil our Learning & Teaching Policy at St. Mary’s School we will provide an environment in our school where students are encouraged to:

• work in collaboration with teachers, peers and parents.
• strive for excellence.
• take responsibility for their learning.

Staff will endeavour to:

• provide quality education which is informed, constantly reviewed and evaluated to meet the needs of each child.
• build self-esteem so that a love of learning is fostered.
• use and facilitate the use of technology.
• employ flexible teaching strategies.
• participate in professional development which will further learning opportunities.
• promote understanding and tolerance through the study of other cultures.
• be accountable to each student and parents through formal and informal reporting.
• follow the guidelines and directives of the Directorate of Schools Education and the Catholic Education Office.

Parents are invited to:

• participate in school programs.
• be involved in learning experiences.
• contribute to teaching by using their own personal skills and talents.
• assist in fund raising activities.

To implement the Learning & Teaching Policy at St. Mary’s School

We will:

• provide resources to continue quality educational programs.
• review curriculum policies regularly.
• strengthen links between children, parents and staff through activities and educational programs.
• ensure that staff professional development is on-going.
• ensure that adequate preparation, planning and evaluation takes place.
• incorporate technology as a natural part of education.

St. Mary’s operates with a clear focus on preparing children for their future not our past.

Academic research, school experience and surveys of parents, teachers and students have led us to identify Six Essential Practices that we believe children need to develop if they are to survive and thrive in our world.

Children need to build the skills of INQUIRY to investigate their world.

Children need to be able to construct DEEP UNDERSTANDING rather than superficial recall of facts.

Children need to be skilled COLLABORATORS who work well with others.

Children need to be able to choose and use various methods of COMMUNICATION.

Children need to have the SELF-RESPONSIBILITY to take control of their our learning – their future.

Children need to be supported in their HUMAN DEVELOPMENT so that they live the social, moral and ethical values that enhance society.

DISTINGUISING FEATURES

 The learning environment at St. Mary’s truly supports the academic growth of children. St. Mary’s offers a quality learning environment that is people focused. St. Mary’s draws on the research and development of the Catholic Education system that has been at the forefront of developments in literacy and numeracy.

Children have the opportunity to take responsibility for their learning and utilize the appropriate learning technologies.

Each class at St. Mary’s works proactively and creatively to deal with the management of student behaviour.

Relevant Support Services are accessed to support the physical, social, emotional and academic needs of children.

Parents are valued as active participants in the education process.

St. Mary’s is a caring community made up of people from a range of family, social and religious backgrounds. This caring community positively acts to serve the needs of your family.

St. Mary’s structures Fees and Levies to ensure that the maximum benefit is gained for your child from every dollar spent.

St. Mary’s has undergone significant upgrades to facilities over the past two years with new library, sickbay, administration areas, multi-purpose room and computer hardware. The final three rooms requiring refurbishment will be completed in the September holidays.

A whole staff approach to dealing with school issues ensures that every effort is made to see your child enjoys success .

LEARNING ENHANCEMENT PROGRAMS

Bluearth – Discovery School Experience

• Provides physical activity that encourages and promotes health, fitmess and general well-being.
• Engages students in movement experiences that provide positive and constructive feedback to enhance ability.
• Activates and promotes intrinsic motivation through fun and meaningful movement experiences.
• Stimulates creativity and imagination through individual and group movement experiences.
• Creates an environment that encourages maximum participation through inclusive practices.
• Educates students about choice, composure an responsibility through dynamic interaction.

Social Skills Program

• Identifies individual and class needs
• Targets specific behaviours with specialised resources
• Provides a supported link between home and school
• Increases the focus on positive behaviour
• Builds concepts such as Confidence, Persistence, Organisation, Resilience and Getting Along

Performing Arts

• Increases exposure to the performing arts utilising the talents of visiting artists
• Allows for individual abilities to be developed through specialised tuition
• Creates an atmosphere where creative abilities are valued and nurtured

Student Leadership

• Contributes to the establishment of a safe learning environment
• Encourages leadership in all students
• Promotes involvement and interaction amongst students
• Builds a strong focus on caring for new students and families
• Promotes community involvement and the service of others

Special Needs

• Coordinated approach to ensuring special needs are met
• Individual Learning Plans are activated and supported
• Specialist services (Speech Pathology, Educational Psychology, School Nurse)