Newsletter 8 - 30th May 2024

URStrong - Friendology

In term three, we will be implementing the URStrong program across prep to year 6. 

URSTRONG’s whole-school friendship strategy has improved the social climate in schools around the world, connecting over a million kids, parents, and teachers with a common language of friendship. We are proud to be a URSTRONG School and are committed to empowering your children with friendship skills.

You are invited to take advantage of a FREE Parent Membership to access hundreds of resources – including an 8 session video series. This will allow you to learn the same language & strategies being taught in the classroom through the Friendology 101 curriculum. We hope that, as a URSTRONG Family, you will reinforce the important messages of empowerment, self-compassion, & kindness at home.

As a next step, we would recommend:

• Click here to view an overview of URSTRONG.
• Activate your FREE Parent Membership and explore all the resources available to your family.
• Explore the hundreds of resources available to you!

We believe that empowering our students with these skills will create a culture of kindness at our school and we hope that, together, we can support your children to have healthy, feel-good friendships.

Cross Country Carnival

Last Friday, we held our Cross Country Carnival. Thank you to all parents and friends who came to support their children. Students did a great job and tried their best. Thank you to Mr Jarrod Wilson, who organised the carnival, as well as Mr Kurt Atkins who helped set up the day. A number of students will attend the North West Cross Country Carnival on Friday 7th June.

Homework

We have noticed a number of students across the school are not exchanging their home readers and some set homework is not being returned in years 3-6. Please see the homework expectations for St Patrick’s set out below:

Prep to Year 2

• Homework will be routinely set during the week.
• Students are encouraged to pursue reading and learn words.
• Occasional collection of items relevant to particular areas of study may be given on an informal basis at the teacher’s discretion.
• Children of this age may benefit from 1:1 support with homework tasks, especially reading for meaning.
• Guideline for the duration of homework is up to 10 minutes.

Years 3 to 6

• Homework will be routinely set during the week.

• Depending upon the type of tasks being required to be completed at home, homework may be set:
• At the beginning of the week for completion by the end of the week
• For completion by the next school day

• Students are expected to demonstrate pride in their homework by completing the work neatly and returning it on time.
• Guidelines for duration of homework are:
• Years 3 & 4: up to 15 minutes consisting of reading and practising some mathematical activities four nights a week. 
• Years 5 & 6: up to 20 minutes, consisting of reading and practising some mathematical activities four nights a week. 

Please find the full Homework Policy on our School website 

Policies - St Patrick's Catholic School Latrobe

What We Do In Our School

Principal, Carmen Aylott and Deputy Principal, Kurt Atkins:

As the leaders of St Patrick’s Catholic School, we are committed to serving our school community and fostering an environment where every student can thrive academically, socially, physically and spiritually. I would like to take this opportunity to share with you some of the ways, as leaders, Kurt and I, strive to support and uplift our school:

At the heart of our role is a dedication to putting our students first. We work to ensure all our students receive a quality education and support those with disabilities and ensure inclusiveness, tolerance and acceptance. We are passionate about fostering an atmosphere of respect, empathy, and collaboration among students, staff, and parents. By celebrating diversity, promoting kindness, and fostering a sense of belonging, we create a safe and nurturing environment where everyone feels valued and safe. 

We believe that strong partnerships between the school, parents, and the broader community are essential to our collective success. That's why we actively engage with parents and guardians through regular communication. We think about how our parents and caregivers are invited to participate in school-based events and activities and recognise the value of family input. 

By embracing Jesus as a role model for living and sharing the Catholic faith, we work to influence the lives of students, staff and members of the school community. Through intentional teaching, modelling, and practice, the school community can become a vibrant expression of faith, love, and service rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ. 

We are committed to take care of the work, health and safety of staff and students in our school community, and have a duty to care and protect and preserve the safety of children. We oversee the implementation of comprehensive health and safety protocols to mitigate risks and ensure the well-being of all individuals at school. We recognise the importance of supporting the mental health and wellness of both students and staff. We work closely with our counsellor and other support staff to provide resources, interventions, and support services to address the social, emotional, and psychological needs of our school community. 

In our school, we explicitly teach School Wide Positive Behaviour Support expectations to all students. Teaching positive behaviours for life is essential for fostering personal growth, building strong relationships, and contributing to a supportive and harmonious community. We are inclusive and welcoming to all families and build a culture of high expectations, working with students daily in all areas of the school.

As leadership in the school, we focus on organisational development in key areas, such as engaging in strategic planning to set the vision, mission, and goals for the school; oversee the allocation and management of resources, including budgeting, staffing, facilities, and technology; prioritise professional development for staff to enhance their knowledge, skills, and effectiveness as educators; use data to inform decision-making and drive continuous improvement; provide instructional leadership to support effective teaching and learning; lead efforts for continuous improvement and innovation within the school.

Kurt and I feel privileged to work in such an amazing community such as St Patrick's. We appreciate those we work with, staff, students and families.

Each newsletter, we will share the fantastic work of our school staff.

Have a great week

Carmen Aylott

Principal