values & objectives (philosophy)

​​Every child can learn and has the right to a quality education.
All staff members have the responsibility to support each student achieve their potential.
St. Mary’s Families are the prime educators and the staff and school community will work with families to achieve the best outcomes for their child/ children.
All students have the right to be safe.
St. Mary’s school aims to provide a quality Christian education to each child academically, physically, spiritually and emotionally.
St. Mary’s school welcomes all families and aims to work in partnership with them to provide a quality education.
St. Mary’s School commits to meeting the individual learning needs of each student and to differentiate the learning to meet those needs.
St. Mary’s school commits to providing a catholic education to all students and no student will be refused enrolment owing to financial constraints.
St. Mary’s School commits to inform parents of their child’s progress and the school expectations of students and family as members of the school community.
St. Mary’s School provides students with opportunities to be informed and understand the expectations of the school. The students will be provided with ongoing opportunities to gain these understandings.
St. Mary’s School Staff commit to providing each child with opportunities to achieve their potential and undertake to ensure each child makes a minimum of 12 months progress each school year.
St. Mary’s School Community commit to implementing the Child Safety Standards to ensure the safety of each student.



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school enactment of its philosophy

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At St. Mary’s School its philosophy is enacted by

• The Vision and Mission Statements are included on all Newsletters, School App and Website.
• School Norms, Child Safety Policies, Behavioural Policies and Procedures and school policies are included on the School App and Website.
• St. Mary’s students, during Term One, are provided with opportunities by the Class teacher to understand the School norms and expectations and rights of each student. This is provided, giving consideration to the developmental age of the student. These areas are revisited throughout the year as required.
• Teachers commit to provide a quality and differentiation program to meet the learning needs of each student. This includes developing documentation to assist this provision and assessments which direct future learning and accurate information to students and families.
• St. Mary’s provide students and families with access to the School Chaplain, programs related to wellbeing and information of services available to support the wellbeing and emotional needs of students and their family.
• During Term One Students participate in sessions related to Child Safety which include their rights and responsibilities to their own and others’ safety. Sessions include information regarding seeking help if needed.
• St. Mary’s School access specialist services to support students through the Catholic Education Office or outside providers to ensure ongoing student progress and wellbeing.
• St. Mary’s provide a daily breakfast program available to all students and other food is provided as needed.
• St. Mary’s provides uniforms and school requirements if needed by students.
• At the commencement of each year The School Advisory Council members participate in a session where the Guidelines are revisited, Child Safety Requirements and the Vision and Mission Statement are read and discussed. Child Safety and Policies and Procedures are agenda items at all meetings. 
• All School Meetings commence with the School Prayer.
• Families are informed and invited to participate in all school activities and events.
• The school has icons which represent the Catholic tradition displayed throughout the  school.
• School Vision and Mission Statements and Child Safety materials are displayed prominently throughout the school.
• All families are provided with a weekly Newsletter and information related to school activities via paper copies, School App or Website.  
• All families are provided with a copy of the Parent Handbook. This book is updated annually.
• On Staff Memos and Meeting Agendas the School Vision and Mission Statement, School Norms and Staff Meeting Norms are included at the start of each document. 
• At the commencement of each year staff commence the year revisiting the Vision and Mission statements and reflecting on what they entail.
• At the commencement of each year staff are reminded of policy and procedures and where to gain copies of.
• At the commencement of each year staff are provided with a copy of the Staff Handbook. This book is an Agenda item at the initial Staff Meeting of each school year. In this Handbook are copies of Vision and Mission Statement, Role Descriptions, School Norms, expectations in relation to students and staff.
• Behavioural Policies and Procedures are revisited at the initial Staff Meeting.
• Staff are informed of the Child Safety Standards and procedures by the Child Safety Officer. Copies of some important materials are provided to all staff; information regarding where documentation are kept; all staff annually complete the Mandatory Reporting Module during Term One and Child Safety is an Agenda item at all Staff Meetings.
• New staff are provided with an Induction Program where the noted staff documentation is introduced and explained. All advertisements note the School is a Child Safe School.
• Staff contracts clearly state the expectations of the staff member when accepting the position. 
• Staff participate in Professional Development annually related to the Annual Action Goals and their individual needs to support student learning.
• Staff participate in Religious Education Professional Development annually related to their personal faith development.
• Staff all have current First Aid Qualifications and annual CPR and Asthma training updates. Teachers are provided with training by qualified staff  to support students with Specialist medical needs including  Anaphylaxis and Type One Diabetes.