Good Shepherd Catholic Primary School

At Good Shepherd Catholic Primary School, your child steps into a warm, faith-filled environment where learning is anything but ordinary. The school runs a standout Music program – every student from Kindergarten through Year 6 enjoys class music lessons based on the Hungarian Kodaly method, and kids in Years 3–6 can join the school choirs. For those who want to go further, the Primary Instrumental Program, coordinated with Lumen Christi College, offers 20-minute individual lessons on flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, piano, violin, or drums to about 80 students each week. Italian is another specialist subject, taught from Kindergarten/Pre-primary right through Year 6, one lesson per week – a lovely nod to the area’s Italian heritage and a head start in languages. It’s a well-rounded, creative curriculum that balances academics with arts and culture.

For working parents, the school has you covered with Outside School Hours Care provided by Camp Australia, right on the school site at 15 Arbuthnot St. During term time, Before School Care runs from 6:30 to 8:30 am and After School Care from 2:55 to 6:00 pm, Monday to Friday – perfect for standard work schedules. The service holds a 'Meeting NQS' rating (issued March 2024) and has 50 approved places, so it’s a well-regarded, regulated option. One thing to note: there’s no vacation care offered, so you’ll want to plan for school holidays separately. The school office can confirm current before- and after-school care arrangements and any holiday options in the local area.

When you don’t feel like cooking, Kelmscott has a fun claim to fame: it’s home to the very first Red Rooster restaurant in Australia, a classic roast chicken takeaway chain right on the Albany Highway strip – a no-fuss, family-friendly dinner option that’s become a local institution. Beyond that, the suburb’s main commercial spine along Albany Highway, anchored by the Stargate Kelmscott and Kelmscott Village shopping centres, offers everyday grocery shopping and quick pick-ups. While specific sit-down restaurants or specialty ethnic supermarkets within Kelmscott itself aren’t widely documented, you’re a short drive from Armadale’s larger retail precinct for more dining and grocery variety. For a semi-rural suburb, you’ve got the basics covered, and the bushland nearby makes for easy weekend picnics or takeaway-and-park evenings.

Getting to and from the city is straightforward from Kelmscott. Transperth trains and buses serve the area, and the journey planner will show your nearest stop and the time into the city. The Transperth network radiates from Perth Station, so you can connect to other lines like Airport, Fremantle, Mandurah, or Midland at the city end – handy if you need to travel across Perth. Driving is also viable, with Albany Highway providing a direct route, though peak-hour traffic is something to factor in.

Your next step is to arrange a tour of Good Shepherd Catholic Primary School – it’s the best way to get a feel for the community and ask any questions about the curriculum, music program, or OSHC. While you’re there, chat with the office about enrolment, and don’t hesitate to ask about local family networks or playgroups. For commuting, check the Transperth journey planner to confirm the best route from your new home to the station. And if you’re new to the area, take a drive along Albany Highway to get your bearings – stop by that historic Red Rooster for a quick dinner and start feeling at home. Kelmscott is a welcoming, practical place to raise a family, and Good Shepherd could be the perfect fit for your kids.