Good Shepherd Catholic School

Lockridge is a quiet, down-to-earth suburb about 11 kilometres northeast of the Perth CBD, sitting within the City of Swan. It’s a compact, residential pocket—roughly 1.5 square kilometres—with a population just over 3,300. The 2021 Census paints a picture of a working-class to lower-middle-income community: the median weekly household income sits at $1,206, below both the state and national medians. The median age is 38, and families here average 1.8 children. Around 7.7% of residents identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, adding to the suburb’s mixed, blue-collar character. It’s the kind of place where neighbours know each other, and the pace feels a step removed from the city buzz while still being close enough to reach it easily.

Good Shepherd Catholic School sits right in this community, offering a local, faith-based education. Class sizes tend to be manageable in schools like this, and the focus is often on building strong foundations in literacy and numeracy alongside personal development. For specifics on what your child might join—whether it’s sport, music, or other activities—the school office is the best first port of call. They’ll happily walk you through the current offerings and how the school day is structured, so you can get a real feel for whether it matches your family’s hopes.

For working parents, the after-school picture is something you’ll want to clarify directly with the school. Many Catholic primary schools in the area run or partner with OSHC providers, but the specifics—hours, fees, and whether they cater to younger children—can vary. The school office can confirm current before- and after-school care arrangements. You’ll want to verify those directly with the providers. It’s a practical detail that’s worth sorting early, especially if both of you are working full-time.

When it comes to groceries, Lockridge is a residential suburb without a major shopping precinct of its own. You’ll likely find an IGA or similar independent grocer nearby for everyday essentials—IGA operates suburban stores throughout Perth, so a quick local search should turn up the closest one. For a fuller weekly shop or more variety, families typically head to Bassendean or Midland, which serve as the main shopping hubs in the area. On weeknights, you won’t find a long list of sit-down family restaurants within Lockridge itself—the dining scene here is minimal. Instead, you’ll likely rely on takeaways from nearby suburbs or simple home-cooked meals. It’s a trade-off for the quiet, affordable living, but the short drive to Bassendean or Midland opens up more options when you want a night off from cooking.

If you’re considering extra academic support, you won’t find tutoring or enrichment centres within Lockridge itself based on what we reviewed. Your best bet is to look toward Bassendean or Midland, where such services are more likely to be located. A quick online search or a word-of-mouth recommendation from the school community should point you in the right direction. Transperth trains and buses serve the area, and the journey planner will show your nearest stop and the time into the city. The nearest stations are Bassendean and Midland, with travel times to Perth Station of roughly 20 and 30 minutes respectively—putting you at about a 25-minute train ride to the CBD. Driving takes a similar amount of time via the Great Northern Highway and Tonkin Highway corridor, making the city quite accessible for work or leisure.

Your first move should be to reach out to Good Shepherd Catholic School directly—ask about OSHC, extracurriculars, and any enrolment tours they offer. It’s also worth driving through Lockridge at different times of day to get a feel for the neighbourhood’s rhythm. Check the local IGA for your weekly basics, and plan a trip to Bassendean or Midland for bigger shops and family outings. If tutoring might be needed down the track, start asking around the school community for recommendations. Transperth trains and buses serve the area, and the journey planner will show your nearest stop and the time into the city. Lockridge won’t give you a bustling high street, but it offers a solid, affordable base with easy city access and a genuine community feel.