Frequently Asked Questions
Do we have to be Anglican to be enrolled?
No, the College has a variety of denominations amongst its student population. There is no specific church affiliation that is necessary.
Do we have to be Christian and go to a church to be enrolled?
No. However, the College expects that all students who enter the College will be actively involved in Christian development classes and attend a weekly Chapel service. It is expected that every student will be open to the idea of establishing a lasting Christian commitment and explore the importance of Christ in their lives. We also encourage students to be involved in developing their Christian faith by participating in prayer groups and with GLO - the Christian Youth group which meets every Wednesday lunch.
By when do we have to apply?
For entry into Kindergarten, Year 3, Year 5 or Year 7, applications close on January 31st of the year prior to entry eg if you wish to enter the College in 2013, you need to have applied by January 31st 2012. Entry into other Year groups will only happen if a casual vacancy occurs and applications are accepted at any time.
What is the age for Kindergarten entry?
Ideally, we would like all Kindergarten students to have turned 5 by the end of March when they are in Kindergarten.
Does an application guarantee a place?
No. The Director of Enrolments reviews all the material that has been submitted by parents and selects some applicants for interview. For Junior School entry this will involve the Director interviewing parents while the student does some work with the Dean K-4. For Year 5 and older, the student and parents are interviewed by the Director of Enrolments. The Director then uses the criteria to determine whether a student’s application is successful or not.
Does entry into the Junior School or Year 5 guarantee entry into Year 7?
The issue of automatic progression is an emotive one for many parents. The College assumes that all students enrolling in Kindergarten, Year 3 or Year 5 will progress into Year 7 at the appropriate time. However, there may be circumstances whereby enrolment into Year 7 at the College is not in the best interests of the child.
Are there "feeder" primary schools for Year 7 entry?
Yes. Students who have come through our Junior and Middle Schools will be given preference for entry into Year 7. There is no other local K-6 school that we consider better than any other.
Is there an "entrance test" like the Selective High school test?
No, but we do have a test for students applying to enter Year 7. This test is used to help us interpret the variety of school reports as it is a general ability test which supplements the information gained from school reports.
How likely is it that we can get a place in the College at Year 7?
We aim to enroll 168 students in Year 7. A certain number of those places are reserved for our Year 6 classes, but then after that, every new family applying to enter the College at Year 7 has exactly the same chance as any other new family.
What will happen if our application is unsuccessful?
If an application is not successful, it will be placed on a waiting list for any casual vacancies that might occur in the years to come. We will keep in touch annually to ask if you are still interested in a spot should it become available.
Do you have "Open Days"?
Yes. These days are advertised through local papers, pre-schools, our website and other avenues. We also have regular College tours each term. Some of these tours are during school time so you can see the College in action, and others are after hours so you can come as a family after work commitments. Download the 2009 tour dates.
Do you have ‘Before and After School Care’?
Yes, it is available for students in Kindergarten - Year 6. Download the BAASC info sheet.
Can my child buy food at the canteen?
Junior School students will need to provide their own food for Recess. They will only be permitted to order their lunch via a lunch order system. They will not be able to walk up to the canteen and purchase items as they wish. Middle and Senior School students can access the canteen at Recess and Lunch. The canteen provides only ‘healthy’ items.
For more detail on the College’s policy on peanuts and other foods that may be dangerous - download the "Nut Aware" info sheet.
What transport links are there to the College?
BUS: A large number of buses provide transport to the College. Parents are advised to contact the local bus companies, directly to determine what services are available.
TRAIN: Some bus companies pick up from Blacktown, Seven Hills, Parramatta, Epping and Pennant Hills Stations.
CAR: Parents may drive their children to and from the College. There are “Kiss and Drop” zones in the Junior School car park and in Morris Grove.
Does the College offer Scholarships or financial help?
Yes. The College offers scholarships to incoming Kindergarten, Year 3, Year 5 and Year 7 students and their families based on financial need. It is not a scholarship based on academic, music, or sporting ability. Download the Financial Assistance and Scholarships info sheet.
Does the College offer a discount for more than one child at the College?
No. We offer a needs-based scholarship instead.
Does the College have a wide selection of subjects?
Yes. The College offers a wide variety of subjects so that students can pursue their interests to the HSC. The comprehensive range of courses is designed to provide students with the knowledge, skills and understanding required for academic success as well as preparing them for post-secondary opportunities. Download the Curriculum Subjects info sheet.
What is the size of classes at the College?
For K – 2 classes, the size is 20. Then from Year 3 the class size is 24.
Is there a focus on literacy and numeracy development?
Yes. K - 4 has a block of time set aside each day before recess that is uninterrupted so that literacy development can proceed. Then after recess a similar block of time will be set aside for numeracy development. For both literacy and numeracy blocks, there are 2 fully qualified teachers in the classroom working with the students.
All Junior and Middle school classroom teachers, learning support staff, the Director of Curriculum, Headmaster and Senior School English staff, have undergone training in a reliable and valuable programme (THRASS) that helps with early literacy development.
As well as this emphasis, K - 4 classes utilise an integrated inquiry style of teaching that allows for greater flexibility, differentiation and utilisation of skills and interests amongst the student body.
For Years 5 - 8 the curriculum will build on these foundations and will be taught using a differentiated teaching model. This model also allows for greater flexibility and an increased likelihood of student engagement and involvement in learning.
What are the College’s examination results like?
While keeping in mind that there is more to education than just academic results, we’re proud of what our students achieve in state-wide and national testing. Download the Exam Results info sheet.
Are there specialist teachers in the Junior School?
Yes. K - 4 will have specialist teachers for LOTE (Japanese), Library, Music and Physical Education.
Does the College teach languages other than English?
Yes. Students in Junior School (K-4) study Japanese. When they are in Years 5 & 6 of the Middle School, they do Japanese and French or German. In Years 7 & 8 they choose to do Japanese or French/German. Students in Years 9-12 may elect to continue their study of a language.
Can the College provide special help if our child needs it?
The College has a Learning Support Faculty which assesses student needs and provides support in the following ways:
Literacy - withdrawal groups for students in Years K – 7; in class support for Years 8 – 11; tutorial support in study periods for Year 12
Numeracy - withdrawal groups for Years K – 6; small Mathematics classes in Years 7 & 8, conducted by a Mathematics special educator; after School support for Years 9 & 10; tutorial support for Years 11 & 12. If further Assessment is required, the College will recommend testing by appropriate external agencies. The college has access to Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy services during school hours and is provided onsite. It should be noted that the College is not able to provide 1:1 support for students.
What if our child has been identified as a “Gifted and Talented” student?
The College has developed an enrichment program “Autonomous Learners’ Program” which operates across the College from Years K to 10. Students are selected for this program based on teacher recommendation and other collated data.
In K-4, students are provided with open ended questions and materials to develop their thinking and reasoning skills. As students progress they are exposed to different approaches to thinking and learning so that by Years 8 – 10 they are able to develop a high quality Individual Project which reflects higher order thinking skills and is based on their skills and interests. In each Year Group there are approximately 8 positions in the program.
What sport can my child do at the College?
There is a wide range of sport activities for all students in the College: developmental programs for younger students; gala days; regular House sport competitions during lunch time; regular weekly competitions against other schools after school – the Hills Zone Sporting Association (HZSA); and a fortnightly physical activity programme during the school day. There is no Saturday sport.
All students participate in College swimming (3-12), athletics and cross country carnivals and may then go on to representative levels. Download the Sport Handbook.
What are Tutor and House Groups?
Tutors Groups are where all students in Years 5 -12 are linked to a member of staff, their ‘tutor’, who has oversight of around 18 students. Tutor Groups are either Years 5 - 8 or 9 – 12 (in the Junior School the “Tutor” is the classroom teacher). This small group meets with the Tutor each day and members get to know each other very well. The Tutor is the first point of contact for students if they have any problems they want to discuss.
A number of Tutor Groups meeting together form a House and under guidance from the Head of House and Tutors, senior students have an opportunity to exercise leadership.
In K - 4 there is a four House system, using the colours of blue, red, green and gold with each House linked to 3 of the Houses in the 5 - 12 House System eg K - 4 students in the ‘blue’ House may progress into either Andrews, Hamlin or Warren House (whose colours are all shades of blue) when they reach Year 5.
Siblings will follow into the same House as their older brother or sister.
What opportunities are there for student leadership?
Some seniors have specific school leadership responsibilities such as Prefects and House Captains. There are a number of other positions throughout the College where students can take on some form of leadership capacity – Peer Support leaders, Tutor Group leaders, Year 8 monitors, Library monitors, Sport monitors, and buddies.
Does the College have any outdoor education programs?
The College has a number of different activities with an outdoor education focus. There are yearly camps from Year 4 and there is the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme for students over 15. The Camps are part of the College’s pastoral care programme designed to promote resilience in students by providing age appropriate challenges and experiences.
