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About St Gerard's School



St. Gerard’s school is situated in North Dandenong and current has profile encompasses these features –

  · Due to demographic changes and a change in enrolment policy, enrolment is falling.  There are 36 nationalities represented, N.E.S.B. students, E.M.A. families, New Arrivals support and Catholic enrolments


 * In order to enrich and extend the children’s total education, the school currently provides specialist lessons in P.E., Music, Technology and Italian. Extra curricula activities include keyboard and guitar. Opportunities are also promoted to engage in community sport groups.


 * A variety of religious beliefs exist within the school community including other Christian faiths, Buddhists and Hindus. They choose a Catholic education because they value standards of behaviour, instruction and values they believe our school upholds. Buddhist and Hindu parents have often had a Catholic education in their country of origin.


 * Families vary from very close and extended families with one or both parents to families who are isolated and have high needs. A proportion of our families are middle class trade and professional people but a number are either unemployed, underemployed or in low paying, low skilled jobs. A significant and increasing number of our students has severe to moderate learning difficulties, poor social skills, limited experiences or families unable or unwilling to offer support. Currently there are special needs files either active or are being monitored. There are integrated students who fit into the criteria of Chronic Health, Physical Disability, Severe Language Disorder or Intellectual Disability. This number rises every year.


 * Since 1997 we have engaged the services of a consultant psychologist to assist with many of the problems our students and families encounter. These include marriage breakups, death, behavioral management, mental illnesses, drug abuse and financial hardship. The school has introduced programs to address some of these issues.


 * The multi-cultural character of the school community provides a rich environment for developing attitudes of acceptance and respect for one another. The diverse cultures and the variety of celebrations which these people bring to the school community leads to a greater experience and understanding of other people’s traditions. Opportunity is given to sharing cultural practices and celebrations.

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