St Mary's School

Altona is a suburb approximately 13 km south-west of Melbourne's CBD, characterised by low-density residential areas in the south-east and mixed industry in the north-west (Wikipedia). Specific median weekly household income and median age figures were not provided in the available sources. Historically, the suburb received a large influx of post-WWII immigrants, primarily from the Mediterranean, Central Europe, and the Middle East, contributing to a diverse, family-oriented, and traditionally working-to-middle-class character (Wikipedia).

Specific current percentages for country of birth were not provided in the available sources. Historically, following the Second World War, Altona experienced a significant influx of immigrants primarily from the Mediterranean, Central Europe, and a smaller number from the Middle East, indicating a long-established multicultural community. No data was supplied to confirm whether the current population is overwhelmingly Australian-born (Wikipedia).

The Out of School Hours Care program is currently managed by **Camp Australia**. From **Term 3**, the service will be provided by **MACSEYE**, a subsidiary of Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS). Specific session times (before/after school hours) were not explicitly listed in the provided Altona school page; however, enrolment information, session times, and fees are available on the dedicated MACSEYE OSHC webpage linked to the school website (St Mary's Primary School Altona OSHC page).

St Mary's offers a range of named programs. Specifically mentioned in the provided school website excerpts are the **St. Mary's School Choir** (part of the Performing Arts program involving music, dance, and drama), **Chess 4 Schools** (offered in Term 3), and **Magic Basketball** (offered on the school home page). Additionally, the **Physical Education & Sport** program includes Athletics, Dance, Swimming & Water Safety (Prep - Year 2), and a Perceptual Motor Program for Prep (School website - Physical Education & Sport page).

Altona is a bayside suburb with a mix of residential and industrial zones, featuring a strong community feel with local events such as Carols in the Park (Principal's Message). For shopping, **Altona Gate Shopping Centre** (located on Millers Road) serves as a key local amenity and major bus interchange (Rome2Rio). Specific specialty or ethnic grocery stores were not named in the provided sources.

Several specific family-friendly dining and takeaway options are listed in the local directory (Cylex). These include **Altona Pines Take Away** (seafood, 18 Pier St), **Tina's Dumpling House** (dumplings/Chinese, 52 Pier St), and **Pier Street Charcoal Chicken** (charcoal chicken, 73 Pier St). Other noted options include Altona Station Kebab (Turkish, 72 Railway St) and Domino's Pizza (80 Pier St).

A specific local centre is **Acquire Academy** (Altona Private Tutoring Learning Centre), which offers programs such as Acquire Literacy, Acquire Writing, Acquire Numeracy, and School Readiness sessions for primary-aged children (Acquire Academy website). Additionally, **Tutoring Victoria** offers services at local libraries in Altona (Tutoring Victoria locations page).

St Mary's Primary School is located in Altona, which is served by **Altona and Westona railway stations** on the **Werribee line**. Transport is operated by **Metro Trains Melbourne**. A direct train from **Westona Station** to **Flinders Street Station** in the Melbourne CBD takes approximately **34 minutes** (Rome2Rio). Driving to the CBD would take approximately 18 minutes.