At St Mary’s Primary, we value every child as an individual. We understand that all students learn in different ways, in different settings, and at different rates. We are a Catholic community dedicated to providing all students with an education in a faith-filled environment. We know that learning is most effective when it involves active partnerships with parents and families, peers, teachers, school, and community members.
Our educational philosophy underpinned by the knowledge that learning is about progressing from “This is what I know” to “This is where I need to go next to improve” and that learners will experience success as a result of challenge, feedback, and goal setting. We believe we must be respectful of the rights, feelings, and beliefs of others and it is our responsibility to assist everyone in our community to be the best that they can be.
At St Mary’s Primary we provide a high quality, collaborative, and progressive curriculum. We implement all subject areas of the Australian Curriculum Version 9. The Australian Curriculum sets out the core knowledge, understanding, skills, and general capabilities that all Australian students are entitled to access. The Australian Curriculum describes the learning entitlement of students as a foundation for their future learning, growth, and active participation in society. It makes clear what all young Australians should learn as they progress through schooling. It is the foundation for high-quality teaching to meet the needs of all Australian students.
Our passionate and dedicated teachers inspire students to actively engage in their learning journey, fostering curiosity and a love of discovery every day. Our curriculum is designed to nurture each child's unique potential, ensuring a vibrant and supportive environment for all learners.
At St Mary's we place a strong focus on equality, improvement and transformation for all students to reflect and live out the Alice Springs (Mparntwe) Declaration (2019). Our teaching and learning cycles reflect the national vision and two distinct, but interconnected, goals for education outlined within the Mparntwe Declaration:
Goal 1: The Australian education system promotes excellence and equity
Goal 2: All young Australians become:
- confident and creative individuals
- successful lifelong learners
- active and informed members of the community.
Vision for Learning and Teaching
Our Vision for Learning and Teaching is aligned with the BCE Vision and provides practical ways for us to live out the St Mary’s Primary Vision and Mission.
“At St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, our vision for learning is inspired by our Catholic faith and centred around the holistic development of each student. We provide a learning environment encompassing Service, Courage and Justice, where academic excellence, spiritual growth, and social responsibility encourages well-rounded individuals who are empowered to make positive contributions to the world.”
Curriculum
We follow the curriculum guidelines set by the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) and the Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA). These provide the foundation for all the secular subjects our students learn. Our teaching meets the standards required by the Non-State Schools Accreditation Board (NSSAB) along with BCE curriculum requirements. Throughout the school, students engage in a range of Learning Areas, including:
Teachers undertake co-operative planning and teaching in modern flexible learning spaces.