Holy Family Primary School

[EduCativ]

When it comes to education, we all want what is best for our children. Deciding what is best, however, can be a demanding and high-pressure task. After all, the seven years your child spends in primary school will play a pivotal role in forming their character and future. This is a time when their talents and interests will be developed. Holy Family Primary school has undergone significant changes over the last ten years. Over the past year or so, inspiring and committed teachers, pre-school and long day-care centers onsite, a before and after school care, and a vacation program. A massive school building program has enabled Holy Family Primary school to flourish.
The school complements the work of parents to promote the personal care and development of each student. Emphasis is placed on relating well with others, being considerate, and contributing as a team's successful member. Leadership is fostered through a peer support program and a senior leadership program. All children also learn the importance of acting responsibly and showing respect for one another and the environment in which they live.
Our school in Years 4, 5, and 6 thrive through implementing a 1:1 iPad program. The school offers opportunities for active participation in sports to suit every interest and talent. Morning fitness, inter-school competitions, carnivals, a whole school gymnastics, dance, and swimming program, are all encouraged. Holy Family School is a place that is continually adapting to the changing needs of young people and their world. It is a place where all students can discover who they are and develop the self-confidence to take on new challenges. We are a school where students do not have to fit in because the school fits around them. Our commitment is to unlock every individual student's talents and help them on their way to a lifetime of self-discovery and fulfillment.
Holy Family Primary School was opened in 1985 and is situated in Castleton Crescent Gowrie, in the Parish of Corpus Christi. There are three primary schools within the parish. Our sister schools are St Francis of Assisi, located in Calwell, and St Clare of Assisi, Conder. St Mary MacKillop College (Years 7-12) in Waniassa and Isabella Plains enables parents a Catholic high school education for their children. The Parish of Corpus Christi was formed in 2005 when the parishes of Holy Family Gowrie and St Francis of Assisi Calwell were amalgamated. In 2009, the first Catholic pre-school began operation - the Holy Family Early Learning & Care Centre. We grew to 4 classes in 2018 with 100 children.
Students from Pre-school to Year 6, who attend the school, primarily come from the suburbs of Chisholm, Fadden, Gilmore, Gowrie, Isabella Plains, Macarthur, and Richardson. Students also live in Jerrabomberra NSW and the rural estate of Burra and Googong. The school has a multicultural population of approximately 660 students (K - Yr 6) and 90 pre-school students.
The Presentation Sisters from Wagga Wagga established the school under the dedicated leadership of Sister Audrey Pilgrim. Holy Family quickly fostered a sense of strong community with close relationships developed between parish and school; the school motto, 'Open the Doors to the Redeemer,' epitomizes the ideals of the school and parish communities, and their approach towards making Jesus Christ accessible and relevant to the students who attend the school. The image of the Holy Family represents the notion of community, which is fostered by the members of the school and parish.
With this close collaboration between school, family, and parish, Holy Family has developed a cooperative approach towards the students who attend the school. The teachers teach in teams and promote cooperative learning. A Principal administers the school, Assistant Principal, Religious Education Coordinator, Learning Technologies Coordinator, Numeracy Coordinator, Literacy Coordinator, Enrichment Coordinator, Early Learning Centre Director, full-time and part-time teachers and assistants, a Teacher Librarian, and Librarian Assistant Learning Support Coordinator and assistants, Admin Secretary, Finance Secretary, visiting counselor, Canteen Manager, COOSH Operations Manager, Junior & Senior Coordinators, Team leaders & Junior staff and other associated support and care staff. The total staff numbers approximately 80.
Holy Family boasts eight teaching blocks (A, B, E, F, G, H, I, and Early Learning & Care Centre), comprising 28 classrooms that host regular classroom activities and our popular Indonesian and Music specialist lessons (in A Block). The Administration Building (C Block) contains our School Reception, Meeting Room, Staff Room, and the Principal and Assistant Principal's offices. The School Counsellors' office is located at the end of E block.
Our Canteen is fully accredited as a Healthy Canteen and serves nutritional food and drinks. We also have an extensive student Library, fully equipped Computer Laboratory, and enviable Teacher Resource section. The Hall is conveniently located near significant buildings and is regularly used by the entire school community.
The Before and After school program (COOSH), from two locations. Children in Pre-school-Year 1 attend COOSH at the ELC with Kim Ehlers as the ELC Care Coordinator. Children in Years 2-6 attend COOSH in A Block with Jessica Pedemont as COOSH Director.
Holy Family has play areas that are not only extensively supervised by our staff but also full of age-appropriate play equipment and vast ground space for more massive group activities. Holy Family is a Sun-Smart school and adopts a vigilant approach to student safety.

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