We list the answers to some of the most common questions we are asked on this page. If you have a question that is not listed here, please contact us.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why choose a Catholic school?
In a Catholic school, your child benefits from being immersed in a dynamic, faith-based learning environment that nurtures their growth and development. Catholic schools are also required to comply with the same government requirements as any other school, including using the same curriculum framework set down for all children in South Australia.
Does my child need to be Catholic to attend St Patrick’s School?
No. We respect people of every faith tradition and those with no religious affiliations. We will warmly welcome your family if your child or other members of your family are not Catholic.
Do you have any vacancies?
The number of vacancies vary across the year, however Reception students are generally only accepted in Term 1 and Term 3.
If your child was baptised in the Croydon Parish, your child will have automatic entry into St Patrick’s School, as will the siblings of existing students.
If you wish to enrol or enquire about enrolling a child currently attending a different school, please contact our office.
We recommend you enquire as early as possible because we limit classroom sizes to maximise learning.
Is there a discount on school fees if more than one of my children is at the school?
Yes. We offer sibling discounts on fees if you have more than one child attending St Patrick’s School. You can find more information in our School Fees section.
When can my child begin school (Reception) at St Patrick’s?
We offer two intakes per year for children starting Reception (the first year of school). To start Reception in Term 1, your child needs to be aged five on or before April 30 of that year.
If your child turns five after April 30 and on or before October 31, they will start school in Term 3 and spend a minimum of six terms of Reception.
If your child's birthday falls between November 1 and December 31, they will start Reception in Term 1 of the next school year.
How will you support my child’s transition to and from St Patrick’s?
If your child is starting with us in Reception, they will receive a visit from our Early Years teachers at their kindergarten or pre-school in the term before they start school. This means your child first meets their new teacher in a familiar environment. This visit also allows our teachers to gather any important information from their existing teachers to support your child's transition and learning.
Your child’s teacher will also actively assist your child to adjust to life at St Patricks.
If your child is starting at St Patrick’s in another year level, or leaving our school, we will discuss and plan a transition in discussion with you.
When will my child transition to secondary (high) school?
St Patrick’s School offers Reception to Year 6 education in line with other Catholic primary schools. This means your child will begin secondary school (high school) in Year 7.
What are the secondary school options for my child after graduating from St Patrick’s?
St Patrick’s families have access to several excellent Catholic Colleges nearby including Mount Carmel College (Rosewater), Nazareth Catholic Community (Underdale) as well as Catholic schools in the Adelaide city.
Families who live in the local area also have pathway options to Government secondary schools.
How do I enrol my child at St Patrick’s?
The process for enrolling your child is easy. There will be a $50 Application fee for Enrolment. This will be deducted from the school fees once your child starts school.
Step 1. Apply. Submit an Application for Enrolment form along with:
- Copy of your child’s Birth Certificate
- Copy of your child’s Baptismal Certificate (where applicable)
- Copy of parent’s citizenship or Visa Documentation (where applicable).
- Copy of your child’s most recent school report (where applicable)
- Documentation of Assessments (where applicable)
Step 2. Discern. Wait for an invitation to attend an interview with the Principal with your child. This gives everyone the opportunity to discuss your child’s needs and ask questions.
Step 3. Accept. If you are offered a place, you will receive a letter of offer which you will need to accept. You will need to sign and return the document to us as soon as possible.
What do I do if my child is struggling at school?
Talk to us straight away. Our dedicated staff will give you regular information about your child's progress, however if you have any concerns, please speak up. We want to see your child thrive too, so the more we communicate, the better we can work together to address any concerns. If necessary, we will put a Personalised Plan for Learning (PPL) in place to help your child get back on track.
Is before and after school care available?
Yes. We offer before and after school care. Please contact the Out of School Hours Care (OSHC) Coordinator on 0447 141 518 or call Camp Australia (which runs our OSHC service) on 1300 105 343 for more information.
How do you deal with conflict between students?
Respectfully. Learning how to restore relationships after conflict is an important life skill we care deeply about at St Patrick’s. Conflict is a natural part of life whether it takes place in the school yard, at home or work. It can arise from miscommunication, differences in personal values, frustration or sometimes simply wanting to get our own way.
St Patrick’s School uses Restorative Practice to address conflicts and encourage healthy behaviour and choices. We believe we each have capacity to learn from our mistakes and the opportunity to make things right.
We typically ask questions like:
- What happened?
- What were you thinking at the time?
- Who did it effect? And how?
- How did it make you / them feel?
- What could you have done differently?
- What needs to happen to fix it?
We teach children to consider the impact of their choices on others and promote the three principles of healthy relationships: the first is to be kind, the second is to be kind, and the third is to be kind!
