What our parents say about Fintona?

What I like the most about Fintona is the way the School instils a genuine joy for learning in the girls.

FAQs

We answer your most commonly asked questions

What is the size of Fintona?

Fintona has approximately 600 students from the Early Learning Centre to Year 12. There is one stream from Prep to Year 4, two streams in Years 5 and 6 and three streams from Years 7 to 12. Fintona has always been, and will remain, a small school.

What are Fintona's class sizes?

Class sizes are small. They are between ten and twenty girls, but usually range from fifteen girls across all year levels, with classes even smaller in Years 5 and 6 to aid with transition into lower secondary years.

How is the school structured?

Fintona is organised into four areas which reflect the intellectual and physical developments of the girls. These are:

 What time do students begin and finish classes for the day?

Do you have out-of-hours care?

Yes, before and after school care is offered at an additional cost in the ELC and Junior School. Before school care is from 7.30 a.m. to 8.45 a.m., and after school care is from 3.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m.

What support do you provide for children who need extra or further assistance with their work?

We try to withdraw students as little as possible, and our Learning Support staff member works either in the classroom or with staff to modify, adapt or alter work for students at either end of the learning spectrum. We encourage able students to join in groups working on consolidation or revision so that students learn to see learning as a continuum rather than identify intelligence as a finite and set commodity.

How far in advance should I book my daughter (or son for the ELC) into Fintona?

Year levels can vary tremendously in terms of availability. Therefore, it is better to book your child as early as possible. To place your child on a waiting list or to enrol, you will need to complete an Application Form.

 What are the advantages of a single sex, girls' school?

• Girls in girls' schools achieve significantly stronger academic results than any other group in Australia.
  
• Girl-centred learning means all subjects are taken up and none seen as boy or girl subjects.
• There is a greater sense of connectedness - listening, helping and accepting others' point of view.
  
• All the leadership roles are filled by girls.
  
• Girls see strong female role models and understand that they too can achieve successful outcomes from their own efforts.
  
• All activities are open to girls: they participate, influence and lead.
• In an all-girl classroom, girls take on all roles in the group.
  
• Girls thrive and excel in collaborative teams.
  
• Teachers can match their teaching to the way girls learn and develop their courses to suit girls' needs.
  
• Girls can work through the challenges of adolescence without fear of embarrassment or harassment.

What are the advantages of a small school?

• Promotes active student participation in a wide range of cultural and other activities in groups and teams.
  
• Enhances the learning environment of the School where girls in classes are individualised and can work co-operatively with each other and the teacher.
  
• Develops interpersonal relationships and communication within the whole community.
  
• Promotes enhanced and active pastoral care.
  
• Assists in maintaining a warm, harmonious, vibrant and productive environment for teachers.
  
• Succeeds in producing high calibre students whose academic results consistently place them in the top schools in the state, and it develops strong personal and interpersonal skills.

Are there limits on subject choices as a result of being a small school?

No. As an academic school, Fintona offers a full range of academic subjects across all disciplines, including three languages. Our results at Year 12 suggest a strong success rate in a diverse range of areas.

What languages does Fintona offer?

Students at Fintona take French from Prep to Year 8 and, in Year 7, must also choose to study either Japanese or Indonesian. In Year 9 students are strongly encouraged to continue at least one of their languages and many choose to retain both. Most students continue with at least one language right through to Units 3 and 4. Many girls also study a language outside school and they can then sit their examinations in these languages on the School campus.

What is the sport program like at Fintona?

Physical Education is part of the curriculum from Prep to Year 10. Years 11 and 12 participate in a sport program that includes a diverse range of activities including badminton, swimming, rock climbing, spin class, tennis and a host of other offerings. Students in Primary School participate in the IPSHA competition and from Years 7 to 12, the GSV competition. For Years 7 to 12 there is a diverse range of teams and sports with one practice afternoon and another weekly match afternoon during the season.

Is there an outdoor education program at the School and what years does it cover?

The Outdoor Education program covers Years 1 to 10 and includes a developmental program of skills, including co-operation, co-ordination and survival. We are also involved in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme, which operates in the Senior School, and its forerunner for the Middle School - the Compass Award scheme.

What is the average age of the staff? Are they well qualified?

Fintona is proud of its highly professional and dedicated staff who cover the full gamut of experience from several graduates, through to those in the middle of their careers to men and women who have taught at Fintona for many years.

Is Fintona a laptop school?

No, Fintona is not. The School is fully networked and all of the primary rooms and a number of rooms in the Senior School have interactive whiteboards. All students have USBs and they can access emails from home and Study Wiz, the School's intranet site. For more information on our Technology program, click here.

Do you have any overseas trips?

Some senior LOTE students participate in exchanges to France and to our sister school in Japan. We also have a sister school relationship with a school in Canada. Study tours to France and Japan run in alternate years, a Malaysian Tour is offered at regular intervals and the World Challenge trip is also offered every two years.

What ensembles, choirs, etc are offered within the music program?

Fintona offers a rich music program which includes Junior and Senior Choirs, various string, wind and percussion ensembles, a chamber orchestra, Senior Orchestra and several quartets.

Is there a school play/musical?

There is a play each year for all students from Years 5 to 12, and a Years 3 and 4 play every alternate year. We try to produce plays that are as inclusive as possible and showcase as many students as possible.

Does the School offer the International Baccalaureate?

We offer IB in the Junior School and Lower Middle School. This is the IB Primary Years Program.