St Leo the Great is situated in a residential and industrial suburb in Melbourne’s western region. The parish/school community is set in an older community made up of many cultures – Italian, Maltese (first and second generation), Asian (predominantly Vietnamese) and other European cultures. The mission of the school focuses on faith education, aiming to develop quality Catholic education for the children of Altona North and other parishes. Teaching and learning programs cater for individual needs and promote opportunities for children to learn and learn about learning. We focus on student outcomes (derived from CSF 11) and seek to develop students’ abilities and skills. The school has adopted a multi-age philosophy for classroom organisation. Literacy strategies are CLaSS in the junior school and First Steps in the middle and senior schools. Each day we have a 2-hour literacy block for Prep to Year Six classes and a 1-hour numeracy block. Religious education completes our daily core teaching blocks. Integrated studies programs operate in the afternoons and include Science, Technology, Arts, Health & PE and SOSE. Italian is our LOTE – Community Language.

The school is set on a large allotment with three interconnected buildings, a parish/school hall and well developed playing facilities. Religious education underpins all learning and teaching programs. Sacramental preparation and involvement in prayer and liturgical celebration are features of the program. Pastoral care embraces the total life of the school and supports growth and development through programs such as teacher/student welfare, special education-integration support, program support groups and support to families in financial difficulty. Parent involvement is highly regarded and parents are encouraged to be involved in their child’s education through classroom activities (reading), excursions, sacramental programs and community activities, parents and friends association and the parish school education board.