When should we apply?

As early as you can. Kindergarten interviews are normally held in Term 2 of the year before your child starts, and because we have one class at each year level, places are limited.

 

We accept applications at any time and for any year level, so if you are moving to the area or thinking about a change of school partway through primary school, still get in touch with us. 

 

What is Pre-Kindy, and does it lead to a Kindergarten place?

Our Three-Year-Old Pre-Kindy program runs on Thursdays, from 8.45am to 2.45pm, and your child can start once they have turned three.

 

Pre-Kindy is a separate application and is not an enrolment in the school, so it does not guarantee a place in Kindergarten. If your child attends the program, please make sure a Kindergarten application has also been submitted. 

 

Do we have to be Catholic to enrol?

No. We welcome families from all faiths and cultures, and all are a valued part of our community. 

 

What we do ask is that you are comfortable with your child taking part in the full life of a Catholic school. That means Religious Education as a timetabled subject, prayer as part of the ordinary day, and joining the school community at Mass. We also ask that families support the faith education of their children and the life of the school. Children are never asked to hold beliefs their family does not hold.

 

Places are offered in a set order of priority, and that order does take account of whether a family is Catholic. 

 

What documents do we need to provide?

With your application you will need to provide the following documentation:

• Your child's birth certificate

• Your child's immunisation details
   

And, if applicable:

• A baptism certificate, if your child is baptised

• Your child's most recent school report, and NAPLAN result from years 3 and 5, if they are transferring from another school 

 

What happens after we apply?

Our office will confirm we have your application and will contact you to arrange an interview time.

 

You will meet our Principal before a place is offered. For Kindergarten, those interviews are normally held in Term 2 of the year before your child starts. If we cannot offer a place, we will let you know, and your child can be placed on a waiting list. 

 

Can we visit before we apply?

Yes. We encourage families to visit our school before beginning the application process, as there is so much to experience. Our school sits on six hectares of foothills bushland, which is worth seeing in person. We also have a miniature pony and a goat, which the children help look after. 

 

Get in touch with us and we will arrange a time for a tour of the school, where you’ll meet our staff and see our students in action. There is also a virtual tour on our website.

 

How are places decided if there are more applications than places?

We are a single stream school, which means one class at each year level, so places are limited and some years are more sought after than others.

 

Catholic Education Western Australia sets the order of priority for all of its schools. It is:

• Catholic children from the parish, with a reference from the Parish Priest

• Catholic children from outside the parish, with a reference from a Parish Priest

• Other Catholic children

• Siblings of non-Catholic students

• Non-Catholic Children from other Christian denominations

• Other non-Catholic children. 

 

Sitting lower on that list does not mean your child will not get a place. It depends entirely on how many applications we receive for their year group. 

 

What year levels does the school take?

Pre-Kindy through to Year 6, with one class at each year level.

 

Pre-Kindy runs on Thursdays. Kindergarten runs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, from 8.45am to 2.45pm. Pre-primary to Year 6 run Monday to Friday, from 8.40am to 3.00pm.

 

Kindergarten is for children who turn four before 30 June. Pre-primary, the first compulsory year of school in Western Australia, is for children who turn five by 30 June.

 

What does a year actually cost, not just the tuition?

Please see our Fees page for the current schedule of fees and charges.

 

Beyond fees and levies, families budget for uniforms and booklists, and in some year levels for swimming, excursions and camps.

 

Tuition is reduced for families with more than one child here: 20 per cent for a second child and 40 per cent for a third. Where four children from the same family are enrolled, no tuition is charged for the fourth.

 

What does it cost to apply, and is the fee refundable?

We do not charge an application fee.

 

Is there help available if the fees are difficult to cover?

Yes. If you hold a current Health Care Card, the school provides considerable assistance with fees in line with the Catholic Education Western Australia (CEWA) policy. This applies whether you are a new cardholder or have held one for some time.

 

If you do not hold a card but are finding the fees difficult, contact our Finance Officer. Our School Advisory Board considers families with genuine need, and concessions are reviewed each year.

 

 

How much religion is there in a school day?

Religious Education is a timetabled subject, taught like English or Maths, and follows the Religious Education curriculum. The day opens and closes with prayer, and the school community gathers for Mass with Good Shepherd Parish.

 

Children choosing to prepare for the sacraments do so in Year 3 for Reconciliation, Year 4 for Eucharist and Year 6 for Confirmation. Parents take part in the preparation and attend an information session for each sacrament.

 

How do you support a child who needs extra help, or a child who is ahead?

Children identified as at risk have access to specialised support programs in literacy and numeracy. These programs are classroom based and are designed to assist students at their point of need. 

 

We also provide programs for children with identified disabilities, and we have a school social worker on staff, so a child who needs additional support with how they are feeling has someone to go to.

 

If you are wondering whether we are the right school for your child, give us a call or drop by at our school.

 

Is there before and after school care?

Yes. Our Outside School Hours Care program runs on site with Camp Australia, covering before school, after school and pupil free days.

 

You can view their hours, fees and program details on our Out Of School Hours Care page. Registration is free and your child needs to be registered at the school before they can attend.

 

What additional subjects and activities does the school offer?

Every child from Kindergarten to Year 6 has specialist Music, Science and Physical Education, and children learn Italian once a week from Pre-Primary.

 

Music is a particular strength. Lessons use the Kodály and Orff approaches, children in Years 3 to 6 can join the choir, which competes in the Performing Arts Festival and performs outside school. The instrumental program runs with visiting tutors each week alongside a school band.

 

Every child takes part in swimming, a daily fitness session each morning, plus athletics and cross country, with interschool carnivals in swimming, football, soccer, netball, cross country and athletics.

 

We also have a miniature pony and a goat at school, which the children help look after.

 

What happens after Year 6?

Most of our students go on to Lumen Christi College in Martin. Others go to Mazenod College and St Brigid's College in Lesmurdie, or to Kelmscott Senior High School.

 

Places at secondary schools are often in demand, so we encourage families to apply to enrol their child at the school of their choice, in Year 5, or at their earliest convenience.