Welcome to Sts Peter and Paul Primary School - Garran

Principal’s Welcome

Saints Peter and Paul Primary School is a co-educational Catholic Primary School located in Canberra’s inner south that offers a high-quality education to all students. The school caters for students in Kindergarten to Year 6 and has a current enrolment of 281 students.

The Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth established the school in 1968. In 2018, Saints Peter and Paul Primary celebrated its fiftieth anniversary. We continue the work of the Sisters by providing the best possible resources and support for our students and staff in an authentically Catholic context. The school community maintains close links to our Parish Church, led by our Parish Priest, Monsignor John Woods. Our Sacramental Program is Parish-based and prepares children for the sacraments of Reconciliation, First Communion and Confirmation.

Sts Peter and Paul has long had a reputation for educational excellence and innovation. The school is exploring well-researched pedagogical practices and is pursuing an explicit-teaching based approach to teaching and learning, incorporating the best research from the science of learning. We also ensure that our K – 2 students have a very sound foundation in reading and writing, by incorporating a strong phonics program. Reading and writing is supported with regular assessment, which in turn leads to intervention programs for any child in need. We work with educational coaches and we pride ourselves on a staff culture that is characterised by collaboration and peer feedback. These are essential skills and values we model and teach to our students, ensuring they are well equipped for the challenges of the twenty-first century.

STEM is a major feature of our school curriculum. We have updated our STEM program and it is integrated with teachers’ class programs. All students from K – 6 have STEM lessons. Our School Facebook page has regular updates that display our learning in STEM.

The school supports and complements the work of parents in the education of their children. We have an active parent body that is led by the Community Council. Parents keenly support school events such as Mothers' Day and Fathers' Day Breakfasts, Grandparents' Day celebration, the Kindergarten Nativity, Working Bees and School Discos, as well as providing an important perspective on policies relating to the educational direction of the school.

Our school provides many opportunities for extension through a number of programs. Senior students can participate in Tournament of Minds, which is a problem-solving competition, ICAS testing, a Robotics and Drone Program, day trips to the snow, a Homework Program, Rostrum public speaking and Interschool debating. Our Year 6 students participate in leadership days and have a number of leadership opportunities throughout the year. We have a well-developed Science Week program, which has been very popular in recent years. All Year 5 and 6 students participate in the Maths Olympiad and it is offered to students who excel in Mathematics and problem solving in Years 3 and 4.

The school provides many opportunities for students to participate in extra-curricular activities. Many students participate in school basketball, soccer or netball teams. Parents can also opt for their children to join the school Choir and have private lessons from specialist music teachers who work in the school. More information is on our website: www.stpandp.act.edu.au or www.facebook.com/STPPGARRAN/.

 I look forward to meeting with you to discuss the enrolment of your child at Saints Peter and Paul Primary School.

 Kind Regards

Cameron Johns

Principal