Enrolment
FAQs

Enrolment Questions

When should I enrol my child?
ANSWER
Answer

You can lodge an application at any time.  The closing date for applications will generally be mid-August of the year your child is in Year 5.  Applications received after the closing date are placed on a Waiting List.
When your child is in Year 4 or 5 we suggest you come along to an Information Session or Open Day and obtain the latest information.

When will I know if my application is successful?
ANSWER
Answer

Offers of places will be posted mid-October in the year your child is in Year 5.

What are the benefits of a co-educational school?
ANSWER
Answer

One of the greatest benefits of co-education is the development of the kinds of social skills which enable boys and girls to interact as part of their normal day to day routine.  Boys and girls are equally well represented among the high VCE achievers and learn alongside each other in a very positive and productive way.

Research on co-educational versus single sex education is not conclusive.  A key determinate factor is often the quality of the school and the teachers in the classrooms rather than the gender issue. Our teachers are experts in a co-educational setting.

Notwithstanding, families will have their own views on this matter.  Parent’s perspectives of their own education may influence their decision making.  We simply ask that you observe our students in a co-educational environment, and hopefully, you will come to the conclusion the co-education ensures a well-rounded education.  After all, our students have been in a co-educational environment all their lives, in school, their families and the wider community.  We believe that a co-educational environment best prepares students for life.

Does the College have a large music/drama department?
ANSWER
Answer

We have a diverse and extensive music/drama/dance department, where our students excel. We have recently opened a new state-of-the-art Music and Media building, the Marian Centre, to meet the needs of our growing music and media learning areas. We offer Year 7 and 8 music instrumental lessons to all students as well as individual instrumental lessons for students with a passion for playing one or more instruments.

One of the highlights of each year is the College Production in which the music, dance and drama departments come together to stage the annual musical.  In recent years productions have included; the multi-award-winning Anastasia, Legally Blonde, Hairspray, Seussical the Musical, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Anything Goes, and Oliver!

Students have the opportunity to participate in various music ensembles as well as a school orchestra, choirs and the Emmaus Soul/Blues band. These groups rehearse weekly and perform publicly on a regular basis.

What sports do students play?
ANSWER
Answer

The College offers inter-house sporting activities in swimming, athletics and cross-country. Students can also compete in a range of summer and winter sports including football, soccer, netball, cricket, hockey, basketball, tennis, badminton, touch rugby, ultimate frisbee, table tennis, etc. The College belongs to the Eastern Independent Schools of Melbourne (EISM) which provides the competition structure for inter-school sports. All students have the opportunity to represent the College in summer and winter sports.

What is the ratio of male/female students?
ANSWER
Answer

We endeavour to maintain a balanced ratio of male and female students – 50% male and 50% female.

Vermont Education Hub Proposal

Project Development

What has been announced?
ANSWER
Answer

MACS, together with St Timothy’s Primary School, Holy Saviour Parish School, are actively exploring the potential development of a K-12 Catholic Education Hub for the Vermont and Vermont South communities, in partnership with Emmaus College.

What is meant by a ‘Hub’?
ANSWER
Answer

The proposed development is a K-12 Education Hub to allow for a seamless Catholic education journey from kindergarten through to Year 12. We are in the early days of planning and development of this proposal and are working through the details of what this might look like.

Does Emmaus have capacity to take more students?
ANSWER
Answer

Yes, Emmaus has capacity to take more students, and operates in collaboration with other Catholic secondary schools in the Eastern Suburbs.

Is this proposal happening?
ANSWER
Answer

We are actively exploring this exciting proposal which represents a visionary step towards creating an educational environment that fosters growth, resilience, and excellence. We are still in the early days of planning and development and conversations are ongoing between all three school communities.

Why is this happening now?
ANSWER
Answer

Given current enrolment numbers at both St Timothy’s Primary School, Vermont and Holy Saviour Parish School, Vermont South, and the unique geographical and community footprint, there is an opportunity to explore a new and more innovative way of delivering K-12 education that will best serve the educational needs of our community and provide continuity in their education.

What has been the response of the community to this announcement? Are the local parishes supportive of this proposal?
ANSWER
Answer

All three school principals and their school communities are excited by the proposal of a K-12 Catholic Education Hub for the Vermont and Vermont South communities. We are mindful of the importance of continuing conversations and cooperation between members of the communities and parishes to which St Timothy’s, Holy Saviour, and Emmaus College belong.

Will school fees change?
ANSWER
Answer

All fee structures will be considered as part of the proposal. There will be no changes to fees in 2024.

Will the schools be spread out over the three sites?
ANSWER
Answer

A number of potential scenarios will be explored as part of this proposal as part of providing a K-12 Catholic Education Hub.

What will this proposal look like?
ANSWER
Answer

We are still in the early days of planning and development and conversations are ongoing between all three school communities to ensure any proposal aligns with the needs and preferences of the school communities.

If the proposal goes ahead, will there still be connections to other Catholic schools in the area?
ANSWER
Answer

Yes, collaboration is at the heart of this endeavour.

Are you considering any other schools to be involved in this proposal?
ANSWER
Answer

No, the only schools currently being considered in this proposal are St Timothy’s Primary School, Holy Saviour Parish School and Emmaus College.

Will our school name change under this proposal?
ANSWER
Answer

We are in the early days of planning and development, and working through the details of what this ultimately might look like.

Teaching and Support Staff

Who has been informed of this proposal?
ANSWER
Answer

A range of stakeholders have been informed of this proposal, including families and staff of all three school communities, as well as neighbouring Catholic schools, local parish priests and the Independent Education Union.

If the proposal goes ahead, what will happen to teaching and support staff?
ANSWER
Answer

As we work through this proposal, all three schools will continue to operate on a business-as-usual basis, with no changes to staff, leadership or educational approach in 2024. Any changes to the delivery of Catholic primary school education in the area will be accompanied by unwavering support for existing families, with the same level of support provided to our valued teachers and support staff.

Students and Families

What support will be provided to students and families during this process?
ANSWER
Answer

A K-12 Catholic Education Hub that will best serve the educational needs of our community and provide continuity in education is an exciting proposal for both current and future students and families. As we work through this proposal, all three schools will continue to operate on a business-as-usual basis, and there will continue to be opportunities for parent discussion and feedback through 2024.

How can parents provide feedback on the proposal?
ANSWER
Answer

We encourage any parent to share their thoughts and suggestions with their school principal on this proposal. There have already been parent information sessions held at each school, including a joint information session, bringing together all three school communities for the very first time to discuss this. There will continue to be opportunities for parent discussion and feedback through 2024.

Who can I contact to ask further questions?
ANSWER
Answer

We encourage any parent to share their thoughts and suggestions with their school principal on this proposal, including any questions.

Is my child guaranteed a position at Emmaus College, if it becomes an Education Hub in 2025?
ANSWER
Answer

Yes, students from St Timothy’s and Holy Saviour will be guaranteed enrolment at Emmaus College. A key pillar of this concept is the provision of seamless K-12 Catholic education opportunities. The enrolment policy for Emmaus College gives priority to our Catholic primary schools and can be found on the Emmaus website.

What is the Emmaus catchment area?
ANSWER
Answer

The Emmaus College enrolment policy is available on the Emmaus website. Families who live within the current boundaries of St Timothy’s or Holy Saviour will be able to enrol in the future primary education offering.

Timeline

Will there be any changes to the school in 2024?
ANSWER
Answer

As we work through this proposal, all three schools will operate on a business-as-usual basis, with no changes to leadership and educational approach in 2024.

When is a decision expected to be made on whether this proposal will go ahead?
ANSWER
Answer

We are working through the operational details including the relevant approval processes. There will continue to be opportunities for discussion and feedback through 2024.

When is this proposal expected to begin?
ANSWER
Answer

The planning regarding the proposal has already begun and will continue to be actively explored throughout 2024. Should this proposal proceed, it is expected that this transformative hub would be in place by the commencement of the 2025 school year.

Are there any planned activities to encourage collaboration between St Timothy’s and Holy Saviour in 2024?
ANSWER
Answer

Parent information sessions have been held at each school, including a joint information session, bringing together all three school communities for the very first time. The principals of each of the three schools are working together to seek opportunities to encourage collaboration and friendship between students and families from all schools throughout 2024.

If this proposal does not go ahead, are there any alternative arrangements?
ANSWER
Answer

We are committed to providing primary Catholic education in Vermont and this process will enable us to explore a number of options for our communities now and into the future. As we work through this proposal, we intend to operate on a business-as-usual basis, with no changes to staff, leadership or educational approach in 2024.