Parent & Carers Forum: Frequently Asked Questions

Following our recent Parent Forum, we’ve brought together the most common questions raised by families. We hope this helps clarify what’s changing and what it means for your child at St Peter’s.

1. Why are these changes happening now, not next year?

The changes are part of a broader direction set by Catholic Education Sandhurst, along with some local decisions about how we can best support students.

There was an option to delay until next year. We chose to move now so students can benefit from stronger routines, clearer learning structures and improved support straight away, rather than waiting another six months.

2. Why are class structures changing?

Our current structure is different from other schools in the diocese and has been difficult to sustain over time.

The move to more traditional year level classes allows us to:

Align with other schools across the system
Deliver a consistent curriculum
Use staffing more effectively

Students will still be grouped with peers of similar age, and familiar staff will remain part of their learning environment.

3. Are class sizes getting bigger?

Class sizes will remain relatively small.

At the moment, most classes will sit between 16 and 20 students. In the future, if enrolments grow, classes may increase slightly but still remain within normal system guidelines.

Across the system, these are still considered small classes.

4. Will there be fewer support staff in classrooms?

No. Students will not lose support.

While the number of classes is reducing, support staff are being redeployed differently. This means:

Education Support Officers (ESOs) will continue to be present
Additional learning support teachers will work across year levels
Support will be targeted based on student need

The goal is to strengthen support, not reduce it.

5. What is happening with student support funding?

Funding for additional support is linked to evidence of student need.

The school will continue to:

Collect evidence through learning plans and support programs
Apply for funding through the National Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD)
Allocate resources where they are most needed

There is no change to the school’s commitment to supporting students with additional needs.

6. Will students with additional needs be left behind?

No. St Peter’s remains a mainstream school that welcomes all learners.

Support will continue through:

Personalised learning plans
Targeted intervention programs
Small group and individual support

Every child will be supported at their level, with work pitched so it stretches them without overwhelming them.

7. Will there be more pressure on students academically?

No. The focus is on growth, not pressure.

Teachers aim to provide learning that is:

Not too hard
Not too easy
Just right for each child

There will always be support for students who need help, and extension for those who are ready to move ahead.

8. What is Magnify and how does it help students?

Magnify is based on evidence about how children learn best. It supports consistent, high-quality teaching across all schools in the diocese.

A key focus is early reading, so students build strong literacy skills from the beginning.

The biggest difference in learning outcomes is not class size, but the quality of teaching and the relationships built in the classroom.

9. How will behaviour and bullying be handled?

Creating a safe school is a priority.

You may notice:

More consistent expectations across classrooms
Clear responses to behaviour
A stronger focus on teaching students how to manage their behaviour

This is not about punishment. It is about building a positive environment where students feel safe and ready to learn.

Bullying will always be taken seriously. The most important step is making sure concerns are reported so they can be followed up.

10. Why are there changes to the daily timetable?

The timetable has been adjusted to support learning and focus.

Key changes include:

A protected two-hour literacy block in the morning
Break times that better support concentration and energy levels
More consistent routines across the day

These changes are based on evidence about when students are most ready to learn.

11. Are there more school closure days?

Some of the recent student-free days have been set by the diocese. Others are needed for staff training and planning.

The aim has been to space these days out and provide as much notice as possible. We understand this can be challenging for families and will continue to communicate clearly.

12. Why are we focusing on students arriving on time?

Being on time helps students settle, build routine, and get the full benefit of the morning learning block.

We know mornings can be difficult for some families. The expectation remains the same for all students, and the school will continue to work alongside families who may need additional support.

13. What other changes are coming for the school?

A new kindergarten will open on site next year for three and four-year-old children.

This will create a stronger pathway from early childhood through to Year 6 and support enrolment growth into the future.

14. Will the new principal make more changes?

There will always be some level of change in any school.

However, all schools now operate within clear system guidelines. This means:

Consistency across schools
Clear expectations for teaching and learning
Local decisions that reflect the needs of the school community

Families will also have an opportunity to give input into the selection of the next principal.

15. How can parents stay informed or raise concerns?

We encourage families to:

Reach out to their child’s teacher
Contact the school to arrange a meeting
Use the newsletter and forums as ways to stay informed

Feedback is important. Some decisions may not change, but listening to families will always be part of how we move forward.

Wellbeing

Kristy Dupille, Maddi Hall, Sherree Jorgensen, Karli Pricewellbeing@spbendigo.catholic.edu.au

RIAC Parents/Carers Morning Tea

Fresh Fruit Friday

Kristy Dupille, Maddi Hall, Sherree Jorgensen, Karli Price
wellbeing@spbendigo.catholic.edu.au