Frequently Asked Questions
1. I have heard that Catholic schools are very expensive? Is that true?
No. St Mary’s school fees are affordable at around $1300 per year for 1 child. This can be paid each term, each month, each fortnight or in other ways by arrangement with the principal.
2. Does filling out an enrolment form guarantee my child a place at St Mary’s?
No, the next step is attending an interview with the principal with your child. Enrolment criteria, including your child’s age will be discussed at this meeting. An offer of a place may then be made.
3. Is St Mary’s School just for the children of Yoogali?
No, children travel from all over the Griffith area to join the St Mary’s learning community, including Murrumbidgee Estate, North Griffith, East Griffith, Collina, Hanwood, Beelbangera, Yenda and Bilbul.
4. Can my child catch a bus from Griffith to attend St Mary’s?
Yes, a large group of St Mary’s students travel by bus from Griffith and the surrounding areas to attend St Mary’s School.
5. How will my child be taught about God?
Jesus is at the centre of our Catholic school. The gospel values of love, care and respect for others are our focus at all times.
In Kinder the children learn that Jesus loves them, in engaging ways, through music, action songs, prayer, painting and talking about themselves and their families. Our students also attend school masses, and take on leadership roles in these masses, such as readings or prayers of the faithful.
6. Does my child have to be a Catholic to attend St Mary’s school?
No, St Mary’s has many families from other faith backgrounds. Students of other faiths participate in our liturgical celebrations and Religious Education lessons. All enrolling families, Catholic and non-Catholic understand that our school is founded on Gospel Values and celebrates Jesus' love for us.
7. What are the criteria that is used for enrolment to St Mary’s Yoogali?
At St Mary’s there can sometimes be more applicants than there are places available. If this occurs students will be offered places in the following order, (in keeping with the diocese of Wagga Wagga Enrolment Policy):
· Siblings of current students
· Catholic students living within our parish
· Catholic student students living outside our parish
· Students of other faiths from within our parish
· Students of other faiths from outside our parish
. Student readiness is also taken into consideration.
(See Enrolment Criteria)
8. I have heard that the classes are full and that no additional enrolments are possible apart from Kindergarten. Is that true?
Parents seeking enrolment in 2018 are advised that there are currently vacancies in all classes, except Year Three.
9. How can I get involved in my child’s school?
Parental involvement is a valued feature of our school. Children love to see their parents at school. You can help out in the classroom through reading groups, craft groups, taking a turn on canteen, coming along to your child’s assembly or by joining us at school fundraisers. These are also good ways to get to know your child’s teacher and other families in the school.
10. Do Catholic schools have the same curriculum as government schools?
All schools in New South Wales, both government and non-government follow the curriculum set down by the NSW Board of Studies, Teaching and Educational Standards (BOSTES). In addition students in Catholic schools receive instruction in Religious Education.
11. What is the academic standard like at St Mary’s Yoogali?
St Mary’s has a proud reputation for academic excellence. In state wide tests children from St Mary’s continue to produce quality results. Children of all academic abilities are catered for. Our mission is to help every child reach their full potential.
12. I have heard of contemporary learning. What is it and what does it mean for my child?
In order to maximise student learning, at St Mary’s our students engage in learning in ways that are flexible and dynamic. Our teachers embrace current teaching methods. This means that your child’s learning throughout the day may include some or all of the following groupings;
· Learning with their class group and their class teacher
· Learning with their class group and another class group with more than one teacher
· Learning in small groups with children from their class or other classes
· Learning one-on-one with a teacher, teacher assistant, parent or grandparent
· Contemporary learning may include utilising technology such as desktop computers, laptops, Smartboards and iPads to enhance engagement and learning.
· Our flexible learning spaces and our current teaching methods are somewhat different to when you went to school, but our emphasis is firmly on quality teaching, and solid student outcomes
No. St Mary’s school fees are affordable at around $1300 per year for 1 child. This can be paid each term, each month, each fortnight or in other ways by arrangement with the principal.
2. Does filling out an enrolment form guarantee my child a place at St Mary’s?
No, the next step is attending an interview with the principal with your child. Enrolment criteria, including your child’s age will be discussed at this meeting. An offer of a place may then be made.
3. Is St Mary’s School just for the children of Yoogali?
No, children travel from all over the Griffith area to join the St Mary’s learning community, including Murrumbidgee Estate, North Griffith, East Griffith, Collina, Hanwood, Beelbangera, Yenda and Bilbul.
4. Can my child catch a bus from Griffith to attend St Mary’s?
Yes, a large group of St Mary’s students travel by bus from Griffith and the surrounding areas to attend St Mary’s School.
5. How will my child be taught about God?
Jesus is at the centre of our Catholic school. The gospel values of love, care and respect for others are our focus at all times.
In Kinder the children learn that Jesus loves them, in engaging ways, through music, action songs, prayer, painting and talking about themselves and their families. Our students also attend school masses, and take on leadership roles in these masses, such as readings or prayers of the faithful.
6. Does my child have to be a Catholic to attend St Mary’s school?
No, St Mary’s has many families from other faith backgrounds. Students of other faiths participate in our liturgical celebrations and Religious Education lessons. All enrolling families, Catholic and non-Catholic understand that our school is founded on Gospel Values and celebrates Jesus' love for us.
7. What are the criteria that is used for enrolment to St Mary’s Yoogali?
At St Mary’s there can sometimes be more applicants than there are places available. If this occurs students will be offered places in the following order, (in keeping with the diocese of Wagga Wagga Enrolment Policy):
· Siblings of current students
· Catholic students living within our parish
· Catholic student students living outside our parish
· Students of other faiths from within our parish
· Students of other faiths from outside our parish
. Student readiness is also taken into consideration.
(See Enrolment Criteria)
8. I have heard that the classes are full and that no additional enrolments are possible apart from Kindergarten. Is that true?
Parents seeking enrolment in 2018 are advised that there are currently vacancies in all classes, except Year Three.
9. How can I get involved in my child’s school?
Parental involvement is a valued feature of our school. Children love to see their parents at school. You can help out in the classroom through reading groups, craft groups, taking a turn on canteen, coming along to your child’s assembly or by joining us at school fundraisers. These are also good ways to get to know your child’s teacher and other families in the school.
10. Do Catholic schools have the same curriculum as government schools?
All schools in New South Wales, both government and non-government follow the curriculum set down by the NSW Board of Studies, Teaching and Educational Standards (BOSTES). In addition students in Catholic schools receive instruction in Religious Education.
11. What is the academic standard like at St Mary’s Yoogali?
St Mary’s has a proud reputation for academic excellence. In state wide tests children from St Mary’s continue to produce quality results. Children of all academic abilities are catered for. Our mission is to help every child reach their full potential.
12. I have heard of contemporary learning. What is it and what does it mean for my child?
In order to maximise student learning, at St Mary’s our students engage in learning in ways that are flexible and dynamic. Our teachers embrace current teaching methods. This means that your child’s learning throughout the day may include some or all of the following groupings;
· Learning with their class group and their class teacher
· Learning with their class group and another class group with more than one teacher
· Learning in small groups with children from their class or other classes
· Learning one-on-one with a teacher, teacher assistant, parent or grandparent
· Contemporary learning may include utilising technology such as desktop computers, laptops, Smartboards and iPads to enhance engagement and learning.
· Our flexible learning spaces and our current teaching methods are somewhat different to when you went to school, but our emphasis is firmly on quality teaching, and solid student outcomes