Primary College
St Mary’s College Primary provides an outstanding opportunity for boys in Years 5 and 6 to immerse themselves in College life.
The students participate in learning experiences that aim to foster the growth of each student to his full potential through the provision of a wide variety of opportunities that are exciting, engaging, meaningful and fun.
St Mary's College Primary caters for approximately 150 boys across Years 5 and 6. Each class is equipped with interactive whiteboards, access to one-to-one iPads and digital microphone sound system, which enables teachers to present a vibrant curriculum that is relevant, engages the students’ interest and caters for their needs.
Our Primary is unique in its affiliation with the Secondary on the same campus. This enables the Primary students to enjoy many advantages that range from the instruction of specialist teachers in key learning areas of Japanese, Music, Digital Technology, Design Technology (Food Technology, Wood Technology), STEM, Visual Art and Drama, as well as the use of modern facilities such as sporting facilities, science laboratories and the College library. Importantly, the Primary boys enjoy the mentoring and role modelling of senior students who take a proactive role in student leadership. A vertical pastoral system means the boys have contact and support from students and teachers at all levels of the College. House groups meet weekly and mentor groups meeting three times per week. This affiliation also affords a smooth and anxiety free transition into the Secondary in Year 7.
At the same time, the Primary students are still recognised as Primary students. Each class has a class teacher who has the responsibility for the pastoral care and the academic progress of that class. Class teachers are supported by a Primary Leader who leads the welfare and administration for each year level and the Director of Curriculum who oversees the curriculum development. The curriculum at St Mary’s is dynamic, challenging and engaging for boys. The learning needs of each student are catered for through many classroom practices, programs and access to Learning Support. The curriculum is enriched by our cultural opportunities including a vibrant music program which includes instrumental lessons, specialist Music, Drama and Visual Art lessons. Furthermore, all new students in Year 5 learn a band instrument in groups of four or five, and form class bands. Students are provided with tuition and an instrument to assist their participation in the program. Each week boys receive a group lesson and participate in a band rehearsal where they join with their classmates to make music together. Class bands perform at the end of Terms 2, and 4, allowing boys the chance to showcase their ongoing achievements and growth throughout the year. This is a two-year program, concluding at the end of Year 6.
Core Subjects
Core subjects taught in the Primary years include English, Mathematics, Religious Education, Physical Education and Health and HASS (History, Geography, Economics and Business and Civics and Citizenship). These stand alongside the enrichment program of Flex Lessons which the boys enjoy on a term rotational basis in the secondary facilities each Wednesday afternoon. These subjects include Digital and Design Technology, Food Technology, Visual Art, Drama and Science.
Co-curricular Opportunities
There are also a variety of co-curricular opportunities offered to the boys that enhance and bring to life the classroom programs including:
- An extensive sporting program
- Chess
- Reader’s Cup
- Optiminds
- Camps
- Retreats
- Excursions
- Incursions
- Whole College special days e.g. Edmund Rice Day
- Various external academic competitions
As a Catholic school in the Edmund Rice tradition, we celebrate our faith and spirituality through Mass, liturgies and daily classroom prayer.
In the Primary we believe that parents are the first educators of our boys and our school is an extension of home. Therefore, parent contact, communication and involvement is essential.
