Principal Report
Policies
Catholic Education has a number of policies that can be viewed via Policies on our school website. This year, the St Patrick’s School Board will begin updating school policies. Proactively and regularly reviewing our policies and procedures keeps our school up to date with the latest regulations and technology, as well as consistent with the best practices.
Homework Survey
Recently, we surveyed the school community about St Patrick’s current homework policy.
Responses included:
- We prefer homework to be set around reading, sight words and basic mathematics.
- Some nights, we are so busy, it’s hard to complete homework every single night.
- Weeknight expectations can be difficult because of extra curricular activities such as sports and drama, which are equally as important for my child.
- It allows us to see what our child is doing or what the class focus has been and gives us an idea of his level of understanding of that concept.
Research suggests that for the learner, homework should consist of practice, repetition, rehearsal to consolidate learning. Teachers send books home so children will have valuable opportunities to practise what is taught at school. Your child may have already read the book that is sent home and be able to tell you about it. However, as with any developing skill, additional practice will help your child to improve. Another benefit of reading a take-home book with your child is that you can get a sense of how he or she is progressing. Reading together is a great opportunity for you to give positive feedback about the progress that has been made.
Students with lesser capabilities may take longer to complete homework, for this reason we have limited the time spent on homework each night.
In consultation with the School Board and staff Consultative Committee it was decided that the Homework Policy will be updated to reflect the following age specific considerations:
Prep to year 2: 10 minutes per night consisting of reading.
Years 3 & 4: 15 minutes consisting of reading and practising some mathematical activities.
Years 5 & 6: 20 minutes consisting of reading and practising some mathematical activities.
We understand that on weekdays, families have demands on work, after school care, and other extracurricular activities such as sports, students will no longer receive a consequence for incomplete homework. We support families in finding a work, school, and life balance. The updated Homework Policy will be updated to reflect that students will not receive a consequence for incomplete homework. However, teachers will continue to communicate in diaries for incomplete homework.
Uniform Survey
Recently we conducted a uniform survey with parents/carers, staff and students in years 3-6. Around 50% of parents/carers responded to our survey.
The feedback from the uniform survey suggested that students in Kinder to Year 2 should have a choice to wear their sports uniform every day.
The feedback from parents suggests that about half liked the current traditional uniform
- based on how good it looked
The feedback from parents suggests that about half disliked the traditional winter uniform.
The negative feedback included:
- Get rid of the ties
- The winter dresses were uncomfortable and problematic for girls to dress themselves and did not allow for physical activity and were costly.
- The winter dresses are dry clean only (although some parents have washed them in the machine).
Feedback from students in years 3-6 suggested:
- They should be able to wear their sports uniform every day.
Currently, the fabric for our winter dress is sourced by the manufacturer from Scotland (is trademarked) and this fabric can only be purchased by them in bulk, meaning it would cost the school approx $50,000 per roll. We are currently trying to source the fabric from elsewhere.
In researching other uniform policies across Australia and considering the feedback,
as a school, the uniform must:
- allow for active play
- comply with anti-discrimination legislation
- be affordable, functional and durable
- be consistent with health and safety considerations
- provide options including shorts or pants regardless of gender
The School Consultative Committee and School Board have agreed from now, students from Kinder to Year 2 will have the option to wear their sports uniform every day. The decision has also been made that our school ties are no longer a compulsory item with the winter uniform, they can still be worn but moving forward we will no longer be stocking them in our uniform shop.
The Consultative Committee and School Board also decided that we, as a school, would keep our sports uniform and explore a ‘story’ for a Smart Play Uniform. This is a relaxed sport type uniform with interchangeable pieces, see John Paul II Smart Play Story.
We have engaged Midford to design a Smart Play uniform and also to look at options for how traditional pieces might work with it. Our aim is to keep the emerald green and navy colours. We will continue to engage the staff and school community in the process.
Energy Drinks
Recently, a number of students have been bringing energy drinks to school. Energy drinks are very popular with some students. Most energy drinks have lots of sugar and caffeine — sometimes as much caffeine as in 1 to 3 cups of coffee. Too much sugar can damage children’s teeth and also can contribute to weight gain. Excessive caffeine comes with its own set of problems — especially in younger children.
Too much caffeine can cause:
- jitteriness and nervousness
- upset stomach
- headaches
- trouble concentrating
- trouble sleeping
- frequent toilet use
In some children, large amounts of caffeine can have even more serious side effects, including fast or irregular heartbeats, high blood pressure, hallucinations, and seizures.
Energy drinks are not to be brought to school, water is a much better option. We encourage all children to only drink water while at school.
For more information see https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/power-drinks.html
Have a great week
Carmen Aylott
Principal