Our Lady of Good Counsel School

Karrinyup has a comfortable, family-oriented feel—think leafy streets, two-storey brick-and-tile homes, and a relaxed pace that suits the "mortgage belt" lifestyle. The median age here is 41, and with a median weekly household income of $2,456, it's a reasonably affluent suburb where many families put down roots. The Karrinyup Shopping Centre is the heart of the area, complete with a Transperth bus station, making errands and commutes straightforward. About a third of the suburb is reserve or bushland, and with two golf courses nearby, there's plenty of green space for weekend walks or a casual round. It's not a bustling nightlife hub, but it's a safe, welcoming place to raise kids—close enough to the city for work, yet far enough to feel like a proper neighbourhood.

At Our Lady of Good Counsel School, your child will step into a warm, community-driven environment where specialist subjects are part of the weekly rhythm. Music, Japanese, and Physical Education are woven into the curriculum for all students, giving kids a chance to explore creativity, language, and movement from an early age. For Years 4–6, there's a 1:1 Device Program, so older students get comfortable with technology as a learning tool. The school clearly values family involvement—there's an active Parents and Friends' Association, and you'll find plenty of opportunities to pitch in and get to know other parents. It's the kind of place where the school feels like an extension of home, not just a building you drop your kids off at each morning.

If you're juggling work and school pick-ups, you'll be relieved to know that Our Lady of Good Counsel has you covered with an on-site Outside School Hours Care program run by Discovery Kids. It serves students from Kindergarten right through to Year 6, and covers before-school, after-school, vacation, and long-day care—so you're not scrambling for backup plans during school holidays or early starts. The program is based right at the school, which means your kids stay in a familiar environment with their friends. It's a practical, reassuring option for working parents.

When you don't feel like cooking, Karrinyup Shopping Centre has you sorted with a few solid family-friendly options. For a quick and tasty Indian meal, Topi offers take-away and delivery—perfect for those busy evenings when you want something flavourful without the fuss. Soul Origin Karrinyup is another handy choice, serving sandwiches, mains, and family combos that are easy to grab on the go. If you're in the mood for Italian, Criniti's brings a vibrant dining experience to the table, and for the kids' favourites, there's Hungry Jack's and Mad Mex for a fast, no-fuss dinner. The centre is your one-stop shop for groceries and a meal, so you can handle the weekly shop and dinner in one trip.

If your child needs a little extra academic support, Success Tutoring Karrinyup offers personalised English and Math tutoring aligned with the Australian Curriculum. They also run school-holiday activities like public speaking, coding, and creative writing—a nice way to keep young minds engaged during breaks. As for getting around, Karrinyup is served exclusively by Transperth bus services, with a depot right in the suburb. There's no train station here, but the Mitchell Freeway provides solid road access, and the suburb sits about 12 km from Perth's CBD. Transperth trains and buses serve the area, and the journey planner will show your nearest stop and the time into the city.

Start by reaching out to Our Lady of Good Counsel School to arrange a tour—it's the best way to get a feel for the community and ask any questions about the curriculum or the 1:1 Device Program. If you're relocating from interstate or overseas, check the school's enrolment process early, as Catholic schools often have specific intake timelines. For housing, explore the streets around the school and the shopping centre to find a home that suits your family's needs. And once you're settled, pop into the Karrinyup Shopping Centre to familiarise yourself with the shops and eateries—it'll quickly become your local hub. Welcome to a suburb that feels like a true community.