Our Lady of The Way Primary School

What Our Lady of The Way Primary School does

Our Lady of the Way Primary School (OLOW) is a Catholic K-6 co-educational primary school located in Emu Plains, New South Wales, Australia, operating as a constituent school of the Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese (CSPD). Founded in 1979 under the guidance of Fr Kevin Hannan, the school opened with 52 students in two classes (Kindergarten and Year 1) and grew to 223 students across nine classes by 1983. It currently sits within a diocesan system of 80 schools serving 46,000+ students across Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains. The school delivers the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA)-approved curriculum across six Key Learning Areas, integrated with the diocesan Encountering Jesus Religious Education curriculum and supported by structured minimum daily literacy (100 minutes) and numeracy (60 minutes) instruction.

The core product offering is the K-6 Primary Education Program, supplemented by Religious Education, Creative and Performing Arts (music, drama, dance, strings), School Sport with representative pathways via the Parramatta Diocesan Primary Schools Sports Council, Social Justice initiatives (Caritas, Catholic Mission, St Vincent De Paul), Indigenous Immersion Studies, excursions/camps/retreats, the eLibrary digital learning portal, and Student Wellbeing Services. Before and after school care is delivered via a partnership with Ambrose School Age Care operating on school grounds. Parent communication runs through the Compass Parent Portal (web and iOS/Android apps), with payment collection via QKR, casual teacher booking via Tap for Teacher, and uniform distribution through Lowes.

Revenue is generated through Diocesan Tuition Fees (set by CSPD), a one-time annual Diocesan Building Levy, and school-specific Resource and Activity Fees, all billed in instalments across Terms 1, 2, and 3. Pricing is structured with substantial sibling discounts — 25% off for the second child, 50% off for the third, and free tuition for the fourth and subsequent children — alongside financial hardship assistance and Centrelink-eligible fee relief. The go-to-market is direct community-led enrollment (Open Days, school tours, local parish and preschool referral channels) into a fixed catchment. Leadership comprises Principal Phillip Kapitanow, an Assistant Principal, Religious Education Coordinator, Wellbeing Coordinator, and Leader of Learning.

Name

Our Lady of The Way Primary School

Legal name

Our Lady of the Way Primary School

Website

https://olowemuplains.catholic.edu.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Our Lady of the Way Primary School is a Catholic K-6 co-educational primary school in Emu Plains, NSW, operated by the Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese (CSPD), delivering NESA-approved curriculum integrated with faith-based education to local families across Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Primary Education (K-6 Catholic Schooling)

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Elementary and Secondary Schools (61111), Educational Services (61)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Faith-Based (Religious) K–12 Schools (EDAJABAC)

Keywords

• Primary school education
• Catholic education
• K-6 schooling
• Religious education
• Primary schooling

Headquarters

HQ city

Emu Plains

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Diocesan Tuition Fees: Annual tuition fees set by Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese, billed in instalments during Terms 1, 2 and 3. Significant sibling discounts apply: 25% reduction for second child, 50% for third child, and free for fourth and subsequent children.
2. Diocesan Building Levy: One-time annual levy per family set by Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese, included in the Term 1 billing instalment.
3. School-Based Fees: School-specific fees set by Our Lady of the Way Primary including Resource Fees and Activity Fees that vary by year level. Billed in instalments during Terms 1, 2 and 3.
4. Before and After School Care: Out of hours care services provided by Ambrose School Age Care located on school grounds. Parents contact Ambrose directly for bookings and fees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Our Lady of the Way Primary School delivers K-6 Catholic primary education for children in Emu Plains and surrounding areas of New South Wales, following the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) approved curriculum across six Key Learning Areas alongside daily Religious Education based on the Encountering Jesus curriculum. The school supplements core academics with extracurricular programs (music, strings, dance, sport, public speaking), student wellbeing and pastoral care services, and coordinates Before and After School Care through partner provider Ambrose School Age Care.

Product overview

Our Lady of The Way Primary School offers a comprehensive K-6 Catholic primary education program as a single unified offering, with integrated support services and extracurricular modules. The core product is the K-6 Primary Education Program following NESA-approved curriculum, supplemented by the Religious Education Program based on the Encountering Jesus curriculum. Additional services include Before and After School Care (via Ambrose), Creative and Performing Arts (music, drama, dance, strings), School Sport (athletics, swimming, soccer, netball), Social Justice initiatives, Indigenous Immersion Studies, and the eLibrary digital learning portal. Parent communication is handled through the Compass Parent Portal, while Student Wellbeing Services, Financial Assistance, and Parents as Partners programs provide holistic support. The school operates as part of Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese's system of 80 schools.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• K-6 Primary Education Program Comprehensive K-6 primary school education following the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) approved curriculum across six Key Learning Areas (English, Mathematics, Science and Technology, Human Society and the Environment, Personal Development Health and Physical Education, and Creative Arts), delivered to children from Kindergarten through Year 6.
• Religious Education Program Catholic faith-based education following the Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese Encountering Jesus curriculum, including daily Religious Education, prayer, liturgy, sacramental preparation, and social justice initiatives, delivered to all students regardless of faith background.
• Before and After School Care Out of school hours care provided by partner Ambrose School Age Care for students in Years K-6, offering play-based activities including craft, games, puzzles, cooking, and outdoor play on the school grounds before school, after school, and during school holidays. Parents contact Ambrose directly for bookings and fees.
• Creative and Performing Arts Program Extracurricular program offering music, drama, dance, strings program (Stage 2), art, and music specialist teaching for students to explore creative talents beyond the core curriculum.
• School Sport Program School sports curriculum including athletics, swimming, cross country, soccer, netball, cricket, AFL, gymnastics, touch football, and running club, with representative pathways through the Parramatta Diocesan Primary Schools Sports Council to higher levels of competition.
• eLibrary Digital Learning Portal Virtual library service providing unlimited access to thousands of e-books, e-magazines, audiobooks, videos, research information, and bilingual resources, accessible to students via a single sign-on.
• Student Wellbeing Services Pastoral care and wellbeing services including school counsellor support, Positive Behaviour Support for Learning (PBS4L) framework, literacy and numeracy support programs, kindergarten orientation, bike safety program, and student leadership opportunities.
• Financial Assistance Program Fee relief offering that includes Financial Hardship assistance, Centrelink-eligible full fee assistance, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander fee-free offering, the Byallawa Scheme, and the Bishop Manning Support Fund for new enrolments facing financial hardship.
• Excursions, Camps and Retreats Program Educational trips, overnight camps, and retreats designed to develop student independence, faith growth, and social connections beyond the classroom.
• Indigenous Immersion Studies Cultural education program connecting students with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage, cultures, and spirituality, supported by the Jarara Cultural Centre through Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese.

Quantifiable outcome

• Minimum 100 minutes of daily literacy instruction for all students
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 June 2026CSPD students participated in the JRS Australia Refugee Week Creative Competition under the 2026 theme 'A Million Stories'. Over 125 students from 10 CSPD schools were recognized for their empathy and powerful storytelling through artwork, writing, and video entries sharing messages of hope and belonging for refugees.
• Parish of Emu PlainscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrong relationship with local parish for special celebrations, faith formation, and supporting students to grow in faith. The school comes together with the parish for major feast days and community events.
• Leonay Wiggles and GigglesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal preschool community that visits OLOW for 'Big School' orientation activities, helping preschoolers learn about what big school looks like.
• Ambrose Early Years Learning and School Age CarecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAmbrose operates out of hours care services on the school grounds for students in Years K-6. Specialist staff provide active, engaging and fun programs before school, after school, and during school holidays in a safe, child-friendly environment.
• Lowes Penrith WestfieldminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSchool uniform retailer for OLOW uniforms. Located at Shop 106, Westfield Penrith, 585 High St. School hats, bags, library bags and sports socks are sold exclusively through the school office.
• Parramatta Diocesan Primary Schools Sports CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides representative sport pathways for students, allowing them to advance to higher levels of competition beyond school-level sports programs.
• Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese (CSPD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOLOW is one of 80 Catholic schools in the Diocese operating across Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains, serving 46,000+ students. CSPD provides governance, curriculum guidance, enrollment policy frameworks, and system-wide initiatives including the Jarara Cultural Centre for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• St Nicholas of Myra Primary School Penrith: A Catholic primary school in the Penrith area of Western Sydney, part of the same CSPD system and serving a demographically and geographically similar population to Our Lady of the Way, making it a direct comparison for family enrollment share.
• Good Shepherd Primary School Plumpton: A CSPD Catholic primary school in Western Sydney with a comparable K-6 structure, similar diocesan fee and curriculum model, and shared Compass parent communication system. Serves as a direct peer for family enrollment decisions in the same region.
• St Patrick's Primary Guildford: Another CSPD primary school within the same Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese network, serving Western Sydney families with a comparable K-6 Catholic curriculum, diocesan fee structure, and Compass parent portal system. Directly competes for Catholic family enrollments across the same diocese.
• Bethany Catholic Primary School Glenmore Park: A CSPD Catholic primary school located in the Penrith region of Western Sydney, sharing the same diocesan enrollment system, fee schedule, and K-6 Catholic education model. Represents a direct comparison for families choosing between nearby Catholic primary schools.
• Corpus Christi Primary School Cranebrook: Another CSPD Catholic primary school in Western Sydney operating under the same diocesan fee structures, NESA-aligned curriculum, and faith formation framework. Directly comparable in scale and service offering to Our Lady of the Way.
• Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School Seven Hills: A CSPD Catholic primary school serving Western Sydney with a similar K-6 structure, diocesan tuition model, and faith-based curriculum. Operates as a direct peer within the same 80-school network for family enrollment decisions.
• St Columba's Catholic Primary School Springwood: A fellow CSPD Catholic primary school in the Blue Mountains region, sharing the same diocesan governance, fee schedules, curriculum framework, and outreach model. Direct comparable for families in the lower Blue Mountains catchment adjacent to Emu Plains.

Regional players

• Penrith Christian School: An independent Christian primary school in the Penrith area of Western Sydney offering faith-based K-6 education as a non-Catholic alternative to Catholic schools. Competes for the same pool of faith-oriented families seeking values-based education in the local region.

Broad incumbents

• Sydney Catholic Schools: A separate but parallel Catholic diocesan school system in Sydney with its own network of primary and secondary schools. While operating under different diocesan governance, it offers comparable Catholic primary education and represents an incumbent competitor for Catholic families in the broader Sydney market.

Others

• Ambrose Early Years Learning and School Age Care: An allied service provider operating before and after school care on the Our Lady of the Way campus, illustrating the partner ecosystem that wraps around the school's core offering. Functions as an adjacent rather than competing organization in the school's value proposition.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/729702302496553
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/our-lady-of-the-way-primary-school
• Instagraminstagram.com/ourladyofthewayemuplains

Compliance8 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Our Lady of The Way Primary School