Everyone is welcome at our Catholic schools. While we are a Catholic community, our students come from many different faiths and cultural backgrounds. Families can be assured that no child will ever feel out of place if they do not share the Catholic faith, we warmly welcome all students to learn, grow and belong with us.

No, you, your child or your family do not need to be Catholic or baptised, we welcome families of all faiths and backgrounds, however, priority will be given to baptised Catholics in the case where schools are at capacity based on an enrolment priority criteria approved by the Catholic Education Sandhurst Limited (CESL) Board.

Not at all. All religious education which includes the classroom teaching of religion and the religious life of the school, is respectful of all learners and is based on the foundational belief in the dignity of every person. 

It is the expectation that students will attend masses that occur during school times as part of the school celebrations, significant faith days and liturgical events. While we encourage participation in Parish Masses outside of school hours to foster a sense of community, it is not mandatory.

Catholic schools remain an affordable option for most families and is surprisingly more affordable than some may realise. When you enrol your child in a Catholic school your fees are inclusive, with no hidden costs.

Our fees are structured to be affordable, with options for payment plans. Families with a Health Care Card are eligible for significant fee relief in our Catholic Primary Schools. Catholic School fees include all external costs, including camps, excursions, swimming lessons, technology and more! The ability to pay school fees is not a pre-requisite for enrolment in our schools.

We do not have zoning regulations for our primary schools, therefore, you are able to enrol your child at any of our Catholic primary schools. Some of our Secondary Colleges do have enrolment boundaries relating to local Parish boundaries and we encourage you to contact your local school to discuss. We encourage you to visit our schools during open days or tours to find the best fit.

Catholic schools’ welcome Indigenous students and a variety of specialist educational and pastoral care strategies are available to ensure that Indigenous students feel supported and culturally respected.

You can expect calm, safe, and predictable classrooms with a strong academic focus. Our Magnify Program enhances learning and we have a variety of programs in each of our schools to support the emotional wellbeing of students. We offer broad support services and prioritise child safety with a zero-tolerance policy for bullying.

Catholic schools offer different pathways for students, from early education to senior education. We focus on nurturing, safe, and inclusive environments. Our academic program, Magnify Sandhurst brings together world class partners in education to ensure that all students are able to maximise their learning potential. With recent research showing that students who attended a Catholic school are more likely to be happier, contribute to community and be employed, there has never been a better time to be in Catholic education!

Enrolling in a newly built school offers a truly special opportunity for both students and families to help shape a community from the very beginning. Students often benefit from smaller class sizes, strong individual attention, and close relationships with teachers who are highly committed to building a positive, supportive learning environment from the ground up.

St Thomas Aquinas School will be ready to welcome students in Foundation, Year 1 and Year 2 on the first day of Term 1 in 2027. We then will aim to enrol students for additional classes in the years following.

More than 190 car parks will be available directly out the front of the school.

8.30am - School opens; 9.00am - Classes commence; 11.00am - Recess; 11.30am - Lunchtime; 1.45pm - Recess; 3.15pm - Dismissal

We are exploring opportunities with external providers to provide after school care for children and anticipate as numbers grow, also adding before school care.

We value strong communication with families at St Thomas Aquinas School. Updates will be shared via regular newsletters, and teachers will keep in touch about student learning and wellbeing via our school digital platform. There will also be opportunities to connect in-person through meetings, events and interviews, helping build a close and supportive school community.

The new kindergarten located next to St Thomas Aquinas School will be open for 3 and 4-year-old kindergarten from the beginning of 2027. To apply visit the City of Greater Bendigo website.