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Frequently Asked Questions

Please find below, some frequently asked questions to assist our parents and carers, as well as prospective families.

You can also see more about what we offer students and families at St Paul's.

If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to contact our school office

Looking for more parent and carer resources to support your child through their Catholic education journey? Visit the CEDoW Parent & Carer Resources site.

Frequently Asked Questions

Enrolments are accepted all year round, but the best time to enrol your child is at the beginning of the year (Term 1) – the year before your child is due to commence school.

Kindergarten Enrolment interviews are held in Term 2 the year before your child is to start school. You will be given an interview date and time when you submit your completed application to the school office. Written offers of placement will follow towards the end of Term 2.

For other grades enrolment interviews take place throughout the year when applications are received, providing there is an available position.

Years 1 – 6 enrolment interviews for the following year take place in Term 3 and Term 4. Written offers of placement will follow. If a position is offered to your child, they will also be invited to an orientation afternoon in Term 4.

For more information on the enrolment process at St Paul's, visit our Enrolment Information page

St Paul's is a vibrant Catholic co-educational primary school committed to every student finding meaning and purpose in their life through continual growth in faith and improvement in learning. A place where each student is valued and respected, developing positive relationships while working towards a hope-filled future.

We ensure every child is provided with a learning program that is contemporary and personalised, in a learning environment that is inclusive, supportive, and challenges students to reach their full potential.

What you and your child can expect at St Paul's includes:

  • A faith-filled community
  • Providing lifelong learning for our students
  • A safe, caring and inclusive community environment
  • Quality learning facilities and technology

Please see our What We Offer page or Contact Ufor more information. 

Yes, after you submit an enrolment application and have an interview with our principal, we can take you on a tour of our school grounds and facilities.

In the meantime, take a virtual tour of St Paul's!

Our office opening hours are Monday to Friday, between 8:45am and 3:45pm.
 

Our school bell times are as follows:

Morning Bell

9:00am

Primary Morning Break

11:00am – 11:30am

Infants Morning Break

11:35am – 12:05pm

Primary Afternoon Break

1:10pm – 1:40pm

Infants Afternoon Break

1:50pm – 2:20pm

Dismissal

3:20pm

Morning
Supervision begins at 8:30am each morning.

Afternoon: 
The school day concludes at 3:20pm and parents are expected to collect their children as soon as possible after this time. Children are taken to the office at 3:40pm.
 

Please see our Term Dates and Bell Times page for more information.

There are many co-curricular activities on offer at St Paul's!

The school has many school representative opportunities in sport, including: swimming, athletics, cross country, soccer, rugby league, basketball, netball and cricket. Children also have the opportunity to try out for diocesan representative teams and beyond in several different sports.

St Paul's also provides the chance to compete and excel in different areas of interest, including: 

  • Peer Support ‘Buddy’ Program
  • Science Fair
  • Mini Vinnies
  • Book Buzz – Extension Reading
  • School Band and Instrumental Tuition
  • Public Speaking
  • Art Competitions

Find out more about the co-curricular activities available for students at our Co-Curricular Opportunities page.

The dignity of the human person is the foundation of all Catholic Social Teaching and inherent to the mission of our school. Essential to this is the creation and maintenance of a respectful, safe and supportive learning environment that promotes student wellbeing and enables school communities to engage an inclusive and diverse range of learners.

At St Paul's, we believe that all members of the community have the right to a learning and working environment free from intimidation, humiliation and harm. We all share a responsibility to create a culture of caring that will not tolerate bullying. We believe that bullying must be taken seriously and is not acceptable in any form. In witnessing Christian values we reject ideas, beliefs and behaviours, which marginalise or victimise people. 

Please see our Anti-Bullying Policy here, and the Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong's Pastoral Care and Wellbeing Policy here.

You can also find further anti-bullying, wellbeing and online safety resources at our Resources page.

Students are able to catch one of the following school bus services operating locally:

Note: The School Student Transport Scheme (SSTS) gives eligible school students free or subsidised travel between home and school on NSW public transport, including buses and trains. For more information and to apply for a school travel pass for your child, click here.

Yes, we offer quality organised on-site before and after school care – run by local provider, Aspire OSHC. Aspire's dedicated team aims to provide a fun and creative age-appropriate program based on the 'My Time, Our Place' National Framework for school-aged children.

Aspire offers the following OOSH care sessions for our students, Monday to Friday:

  • Before School Care, 7:00am – 9:00am
  • After School Care, 3:00pm – 6:00pm
  • Vacation Care, 7:00am – 6:00pm

Find out more information about our Out Of School Hours (OOSH) Care services.

The St Paul's school uniform is available for purchase at: 

School hats, ties, bags and library bags are sold at the school by the St Paul’s Clothing Pool – open during the school term on Mondays (9am to 10am) and Tuesdays (3pm to 4pm). View our clothing pool items price list here

For more information on the St Paul's school uniform, visit our Uniform page.

Please see our Fees Information page for more information.

If you are experiencing financial hardship and are unable to pay fees, please discuss the situation with our principal. Your situation will be treated with care and confidentiality, and an appropriate arrangement may be made for you. No student will be refused enrolment because of a family’s genuine inability to pay fees.

We'd love to have you! St Paul's strives to be a connected and welcoming community and we value the engagement of parents and families in the school life in any way they can.

This could be as simple as being interested and informed about school events and activities, supporting and/or participating in community events, school assemblies and school liturgies.

If you are able, we also welcome and value your involvement in school activities. Parents (and grandparents!) can participate and contribute by:

  • Volunteering for the canteen roster
  • Assisting in the classroom with reading or mathematics groups
  • Volunteering at school working bees or maintenance
  • Assistance at sport carnivals and gala days

Please note: Given our commitment to safeguarding children, volunteers will first need to organise a Working With Children Check (WWCC) – information and forms can be found on the CEDoW website

All parents and families are also invited to become involved with our Parents and Friends (P&F) Association, who work collaboratively with the school and parish about matters that affect your child at school, as well as general issues about school life including social events, fundraising and community building.

For more information, please visit our Parent Engagement page.

If you have a concern or would like to raise any issue regarding your child’s learning and wellbeing, our staff welcome the opportunity to speak with you about your child.

If the matter is urgent please contact the school office on (02) 4654 8900.

Otherwise, we ask that you please follow the below stages of home-school communication:

  1. If you have any educational/behaviour concerns about your child always contact your child’s classroom teacher in the first instance.

    The best way to do this is by:
    - phoning the school office and asking that your child's teacher return your call; or
    - contacting the teacher via email at info@spcdow.catholic.edu.au to arrange a time to talk.

    Your child’s classroom teacher will always make contact with you if they have any concerns regarding your child’s education or behaviour.

  2. Grades and classes across the school are supported by Middle Leaders. You are welcome to contact the Middle Leader/s responsible for your child’s class/grade if you have continued concerns regarding your child’s education or behaviour. The Middle Leaders will also contact you when and if necessary.

    Stage/Grade

    Middle Leader

    Early Stage One (Kindergarten)

    Mrs Donna Rae

    Stage One (Year 1 & 2)

    Mrs Angela Mourinho

    Stage Two (Year 3 & 4)

    Mrs Catherine Hatter

    Stage Three (Year 5)

    Mrs Kristen King

    Stage Three (Year 6)

    Mrs Andy Martin

  3. If the issue remains unresolved beyond the Middle Leader then please address your concern/s to the assistant principal or the principal.

  4. Areas of concern outside your child’s learning or behaviour (e.g. financial concerns, clarification of issues, discussion of school policies) can be discussed with the principal by making an appointment. If your concern relates to bus behaviour or the school’s Student Behaviour Management Policy and Pastoral Care Policy, please make an appointment to see the assistant principal.
We ask for your patience in response to your request as schools are busy places and the main priority of staff is the education, safety and wellbeing of the students in their care during school hours. Requests by parents for information and meetings will be responded to as quickly as possible. 

If you need to speak to your child’s teacher, we ask that you do this by:

  • phoning the school office and asking that your child's teacher return your call; or
  • contacting the teacher via email at info@spcdow.catholic.edu.au to arrange a time to talk.

If the matter is urgent please contact the school office on (02) 4654 8900.

We ask for your patience in response to your request as schools are busy places and the main priority of staff is the education, safety and wellbeing of the students in their care during school hours. Requests by parents for information and meetings will be responded to as quickly as possible.

The Lighting the Way Together Parent-School Partnership Framework outlines for parents and the school, the principles and expectations of the partnership that is formed when a child is enrolled in a Catholic systemic school in the Diocese of Wollongong such as St Paul's. It will be introduced and implemented in schools throughout the school year.

Download a copy of the Parent-School Partnership Framework and read more about this important partnership at www.dow.catholic.edu.au/partnershipframework

Parents and carers can access the St Paul's Compass Parent Portal here and log in using their login details.

For more information on using Compass, see the Compass Guide for Parents.

For further information or enquiries, please contact the school office.

Ready to Enrol?

Interested in enrolling at St Paul's? We'd love to welcome you to our school!