Holy Family Primary School

When it comes to education, we all want what’s 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 the formation of their character and future. This is a time when their talents and interests will be developed. Holy Family Primary school has undergone major changes over the last ten years. Over the past year or so, inspiring and committed teachers, pre-school and long day-care centre onsite, a before and after school care and vacation program, and a massive school building programme, have 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 successful member of a team. Leadership is fostered through a peer support programme and a senior leadership programme. 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 the implementation of 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 programme, are all encouraged. Holy Family school is a place that is constantly 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 don’t have to fit in because the school fits around them. Our commitment is to unlock the talents of every individual student and help them on their way to a lifetime of self-discovery and fulfilment.

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 have grown 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 Pigrim. 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,’ epitomises 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 education of the students who attend the school. The teachers teach in teams and promote cooperative learning. The school is administered by a Principal, 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 counsellor, Canteen Manager, COOSH Operations Manager, Junior & Senior Coordinators, Team leaders & Junior staff and other associated support and care staff. The total staff numbers approximate 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, as well as our popular Indonesian and Music specialist lessons (in A Block). The Administration Building (C Block) contains our School Reception, Meeting Room, Staff Room, offices for the Principal and Assistant Principal. 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 major buildings and is regularly used by the entire school community.

The Before and After school programme (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 - not only extensively supervised by our staff but full of age-appropriate play equipment and vast ground space for larger group activities. Holy Family is a Sun-Smart school and adopts a vigilant approach to student safety.