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Healthcare and frontline worker program

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Sts Peter and Paul Primary School recognises the valuable contributions of frontline and healthcare workers. They give so much to the community through their working life, as well as balancing their demanding shift schedules and personal and family responsibilities.

Healthcare and frontline worker program

For families who work in healthcare, on the frontlines and shift working

The Frontline Workers Program has been designed to directly address the additional challenges faced by the students and families when one or both parents are frontline workers in the Canberra community – particularly those in the health care sector as doctors, nurses and paramedics.

Purpose of the program

Balancing demanding shift schedules with family responsibilities can be challenging,
and we support families by offering a flexible and accommodating school program.

The program aims to:

  • Provide a safe and flexible environment to families in frontline, healthcare and shift working roles.
  • Provide a quality Catholic education to students whose families work in the
    Woden area and who reside in over 50 suburbs in Canberra.
  • Create peer networks in the frontline and healthcare community.

Who is this program for?

This program isn’t just for doctors and nurses, this is for everyone who contributes to and works in a role that supports healthcare, emergency services, delivery drivers, hospitality industry – all the people who became our heroes in the pandemic.

Proximity to essential health services, as well as Sts Peter and Paul’s status as a corridor school, means our primary school is perfectly positioned to cater to families who work in healthcare, on the frontlines and shift working. “Corridor school” is an education industry term, meaning that the school can take enrolments from over 50 suburbs in Canberra.

Program benefits

We wanted to directly address these added stressors for frontline worker families and put into place a program that aims to alleviate some of the stress for these families. Benefits of the program include:

Extended and flexible school hours:

  • Early drop-off available at 6.45am for the 7.00am shift start, and late pick-up
  • Safe and structured environments with engaging extracurricular programs.

Priority enrolment consideration:

  • For students whose families work in the Woden area and reside in over 50 suburbs in the Canberra region. Contact us to find out if your suburb is included in this list.

Proximity to healthcare centres:

  • Walking distance from the Canberra Hospital and National Capital Private Hospital
  • Easy commute from the Phillip Community Health Centre, Queen Elizabeth II in ACT Family Centre, Canberra Private Hospital, and Calvary John James Hospital.

Customisable learning plans:

  • Adaptive curriculum options for continuous learning
  • Flexible curriculum delivery to support students, including those with additional needs and extension opportunities.

Early and clear communication:

  • Early communication of events to allow organisation of rosters
  • Flexible parent-teacher interview times to work around shift schedules
  • Clear communication of school health protocols to ease any concerns.

Mental health and wellness support:

  • Student Welfare Officer oversee the mental health and wellbeing of students
  • Access to emotional support programs
  • Access to onsite school counsellor
  • Access to Catholic Care Support, including Professional Learning for staff.
Download our program flyer