Catholic Education, Diocese of Cairns
Queensland, Australia
Motto | Together in Faith - Learning for Life |
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Address | 24 Grogan Street, MOSSMAN 4873 | |
Postal Address | PO Box 327 MOSSMAN 4873 | |
Phone Number | (07) 4098 1631 | |
Fax Number | (07) 4098 2267 | |
Email Address | secretary.mossman@cns.catholic.edu.au | |
Web Site | http://www.staugs.qld.edu.au | |
Total Enrolments | 187 | ![]() |
Year Levels Offered | P-6 | |
Student Population | Co-Educational | |
Principal | Paul Rayner | |
Parish Priest | Fr Michael Szymanski | |
Parish Number | (07) 4098 2001 |
About our School St Augustine's Primary School, Mossman, shadowed by the magnificent Mt Demi, is situated 76 kilometres north of Cairns within a rural farming community on the edge of the naturally beautiful Daintree Rainforest and the lush green vegetation of Mossman Gorge. In addition, the popular beaches of the tourist town of Port Douglas are only 16 kilometres to its south. Mossman Gorge, being home to the Kuku Yalanji Aboriginal Community, is the ancient site of many local Aboriginal legends. Acknowledgement of Country is an important ritual at every school gathering and assembly as is the celebration of NAIDOC Day and the children are well versed on the stories and legends of the area. The invitation to local Indigenous Elders to speak to the St Augustine's community is a welcome event. St Augustine's prides itself on being a Catholic Learning Community built on the traditions of the Sisters of Mercy who commenced the school in 1934. Over the years the school has grown considerably and older buildings have been refurbished. The original Sisters of Mercy Convent now houses the computer lab and administration facilities. With a school enrolment of approx. 187 students St Augustine's is inspired by its founders and espouses its motto of 'Together in Faith - Learning for Life'. At St Augustine's Catholic Primary School the staff, students and parents work together to make the school's Mission Statement a lived reality in the lives of its community members. We are committed to celebrating our Catholic faith and Christian values through involvement in school, parish and the wider community. The McAuley Performing Arts Centre, the Centre Undercover Area, the School Library, Diverse Learning Centre, the STEM Lab and the construction of the new Sport shed and new Junior Undercover Area have greatly enhanced St Augustine's School. These facilities provide our teachers with teaching and learning spaces to use in the delivery of a 21st Century education which promotes digital technology, innovation, exercise and healthy living and creativity. They are indeed 'state of the art' learning facilities. St Augustine's staff are called to reach out to others by creating a learning environment open to all. Our school aims to foster an enjoyment and passion for learning and we are dedicated to educating the children we are privileged to care for, for a future of Life Long Learning through a holistic approach based on Gospel Values and the Mercy Charism.
Characteristics of Student Body
School Annual Improvement
SMART Goal #1: By the end of 2018, 90% of students will demonstrate a learning gain of 0.5 in solving mathematical problems that require significant literacy skills. Strategies: SMART Goal #2: By the end of 2018, 90% of students will demonstrate a learning gain of 0.5 in two step problem solving in mathematics applicable to their current curriculum year. Strategies: SMART Goal #3: Each fortnight, staff will participate in a 1 hr PLT meeting to engage in professional conversations on data analysis, planning and pedagogy to improve engagement and learning outcomes for all students. Strategies: Future Target Priority Areas: Capital improvements:
Distinctive Curriculum Offerings At St Augustine's School, our students are being prepared to meet the demands of a changing world through the promotion of excellence and 'High Expectations' in education. At our fortnightly Friday afternoon assembly, all students are invited to proclaim that which they are about every day at St Augustine's School - the living out of the school motto - Together in Faith, Learning for Life. The motto and mission of the school are not mere words, but a lived reality in the everyday life of our students, staff and parent community. Our curriculum shows a commitment by St Augustine's School staff towards the implementation of the Australian Curriculum. Teachers have worked tirelessly towards the completion of the planning documents aligned with the Australian Curriculum in all Learning Areas. St Augustine's School has been accredited documents in the curriculum areas of English, Mathematics, Science, Technology, History and HPE. Education of the whole person, through the "You Can Do It" Program for social and emotional wellbeing is embedded in the school culture. Students are exposed to cultural pursuits through a various extra curriculum performances, Dance and Performing Arts' workshops. All cultural areas are provided by specialist teachers. In addition, swimming lessons are provided by fully accredited AUS swim instructors and the whole school from P - 6 participate in our fun yet competitive St Augustine's swimming carnival. As a Catholic Learning Community the teaching of Religious Education is important as is the celebration of our faith for special occasions. Classes take on the responsibility for leading class liturgies each term. Each year whole school liturgies are held for the Opening and Blessing of the school year, Ash Wednesday, Easter, ANZAC Day, Mother's Day, NAIDOC Day, Catholic Education Week, St Augustine's Feast Day, Remembrance Day and Father's Day. In addition, a special liturgy is held to celebrate the Year 6 Farewell to Primary School. A spirit of prayer is encouraged in all classrooms and formal prayers are taught in each class. The school and parish work cooperatively to support students who celebrate their sacraments of Reconciliation, First Eucharist and Confirmation. In our Parish, the Sacramental Program is a parish and family responsibility supported by the school.
Extra Curricular Activities
Social Climate St Augustine's is an enthusiastic, friendly and committed school community. Together parents and staff aim to provide all students with a well balanced curriculum within a pleasant and safe environment in a culture of 'High Expectations'. We have a part time school counsellor available and a Indigenous Liaison Officer who assist staff in meeting student's social and emotional well being. Year 6 students have received special training and inducted as peer tutors. Students will be grouped from P-6 forming pastoral, friendship and buddy groups with Years 6 students acting as peer leaders and tutors. The Peer Support Program provides students with opportunities to meet other students across the school thus developing healthy relationships. The fostering of warm, friendly, inclusive and safe environments which promote acceptance, tolerance and love for each student is something that is valued highly at St Augustine's School. In addition a Buddy System is formed with our Year 6 and Prep students and parents frequently comment on this at enrolment time as a positive aspect of the school in assisting our youngest students in getting to know our most senior students and feeling safe and supported by them. Our After School Hours Care Program and Vacation Care Program are available to families not only from our school community, but from other local school communities. This is a growing service that caters extremely well to the needs of our working families. They have been and continue to be involved in the "Active After Schools" Programme.
Parent Engagement This is regarded as an essential aspect of St Augustine's School Life. The school has developed its own school website Please visit it at www.staugs.qld.edu.au. The school newsletter is digitally posted each fortnight on a Friday. Regular updates are posted through both the open and closed school Facebook accounts. Parents are involved with:
Parent Satisfaction Parents acknowledge that St Augustine's School is a place of learning which encourages prayer and reflection. It recognises that the Religious Education Program is values based and supports students' needs. Parents also identify that St Augustine's School aims to continually improve the quality of education it provides and that parents feel comfortable about approaching the school with regards to their child's learning. In addition the majority of parents agree that their child looks forward to going to school and that they enjoy the learning that takes place at school. Overall, parents are satisfied with the education their children receive at St Augustine's School.
Data Last Updated Tue 28 May 2019
Qualification Highest level of attainment | Doctoral / Post-doctoral | Masters | Bachelor degree | Diploma | Certificate |
Number of staff with this qualification | 0 | 3 | 8 | 3 | 0 |
Workforce composition |
Headcount | FTE (Full-time equivalent) |
Teaching Staff | 15 | 14.23 |
Non-Teaching Staff | 11 | 4.37 |
Indigenous | 1 | 0.39 |
Total funds expended on teacher professional development$8323
Teaching Staff Involved in Professional Development100%
Major Professional Development Initiatives
Average staff attendance rate for the school year, based on unplanned absences of sick and emergency leave for periods up to 5 days98%
Percentage of teaching staff retained from the previous school year70.00%
Staff Satisfaction The majority of staff identify St Augustine's as being a school community committed to Student Protection. The staff are have indicated a strong satisfaction in the Leadership and resourcing of the school to provide quality Teaching and Learning. Staff are satisfied that Improvement Processes are in place to better position the school to meet the changes that occur in social and educational contexts.
Data Last Updated Tue May 28 2019
Prep | YR 1 | YR 2 | YR 3 | YR 4 | YR 5 | YR 6 |
88.26% | 91.01% | 93.46% | 92.34% | 94.24% | 88.74% | 93.14% |
Student attendance is measured and monitored via the use of BI Tools. When attendance becomes a concern contact is made with parents / guardians to gain understanding of non-attendance. This can be done via email, letters home, phone calls or home visits. The Indigenous Liaison Officer (ILO) supports families in ensuring Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander students are supported in regular attendance. There are formal and informal processes to support the management of non-attendance. The school has set a benchmark rate of 95% attendance for all students.
Students delivered a rating of 'Excellent' for the delivery of teaching and learning and the Catholic ethos within the school. Students express great pride in being students at St Augustine's School.
There is strong feedback that students feel happy and safe and there is confidence teachers know the children and form supportive relationships at school.
Data Last Updated Tue May 28 2019
Reading | Average Score for the school | 438 |
Average Score for Queensland | 437.8 | |
% students at or above the national benchmark | 96.2% | |
Writing | Average Score for the school | 415.4 |
Average Score for Queensland | 410.5 | |
% students at or above the national benchmark | 100% | |
Spelling | Average Score for the school | 396.6 |
Average Score for Queensland | 432.9 | |
% students at or above the national benchmark | 96.2% | |
Grammar and Punctuation | Average Score for the school | 402 |
Average Score for Queensland | 406 | |
% students at or above the national benchmark | 100% | |
Numeracy | Average Score for the school | 413.1 |
Average Score for Queensland | 413.1 | |
% students at or above the national benchmark | 100% |
Data Last Updated Thu May 30 2019
Reading | Average Score for the school | 510.8 |
Average Score for Queensland | 517.1 | |
% students at or above the national benchmark | 90.5% | |
Writing | Average Score for the school | 460.2 |
Average Score for Queensland | 469.4 | |
% students at or above the national benchmark | 95.2% | |
Spelling | Average Score for the school | 498.3 |
Average Score for Queensland | 511.1 | |
% students at or above the national benchmark | 100% | |
Grammar and Punctuation | Average Score for the school | 476 |
Average Score for Queensland | 497.9 | |
% students at or above the national benchmark | 100% | |
Numeracy | Average Score for the school | 489.1 |
Average Score for Queensland | 501.2 | |
% students at or above the national benchmark | 95.2% |
Data Last Updated Thu May 30 2019
Australian Government recurrent funding$3,896,369
State/Territory Government recurrent funding$1,240,753
Fees, charges and parent contributions$845,840
Other private sources$149,573
Total gross income (excluding income from government capital grants)$6,132,535
Income allocated to current capital projects$138,450
Income allocated to future capital projects and diocesan capital funds$8,060
Income allocated to debt servicing (including principal repayments and interest on loans)$79,395
Subtotal$79,395
Total net recurrent income$79,395
Catholic schools in the Diocese of Cairns meet their annual reporting requirements under the Education (General Provisions) Act 2006 (the Act) Section 423 (1) by updating their information on this section of the Cairns Catholic Education website. Information contained in each section of the report relates to the previous calendar year. The required information is published by 30 June each year, excepting post-school destinations data for Year 12 completers which is published by 30 September.