Learning & Teaching

Jared Cooney Horvath videos

In 2025 Catholic Education Sandhurst Ltd partnered with world-renowned educational neuroscientist, Dr Jared Cooney Horvath, who has brought the latest insights from the Science of Learning into our schools. Dr Horvath, a global leader in this field, has run several staff and parent sessions across our dioceses over the past 18 months. 

We have a few short months of access remaining to the videos Dr Jared Cooney Horvath prepared for Sandhurst schools. These engaging presentations cover a range of valuable topics, including sleep, technology and stress, surviving study, and how the brain learns. Families and staff are encouraged to watch any of the videos that may be of interest while they are still available.

Session 1– Sleep, Tech and Stress (50 mins) 

https://vimeo.com/1102066450/6f1c9d2218

Session 2– Surviving study (50 mins) 

https://vimeo.com/1102068293/eebb560b41

Session 3– A tour through your child’s brain (30 mins) https://vimeo.com/1102069365/c7ab744186

ICAS

We are delighted that many students in Years 3–6 have chosen to participate in the world-renowned ICAS competitions this year. The assessments will be conducted at school between 3 August and 28 August, providing students with an excellent opportunity to challenge themselves and showcase their knowledge and skills.

Competitions

We are pleased to offer students two wonderful opportunities over the coming weeks.

Australian Mathematics Competition (AMT)

Students in Years 3–6 have been invited to participate in the Australian Mathematics Competition, which will be held at school between Tuesday 4 August and Friday 7 August. This internationally recognised competition provides students with the opportunity to challenge their mathematical thinking and problem-solving skills.

The Betty Olle Poetry Award

Students from all year levels have also invited to enter The Betty Olle Poetry Award. Entries close on Monday 31 August. Students who have chosen to participate will be provided with time during lunchtime to plan and write their poems at school. This is a fantastic opportunity for students to showcase their creativity and develop their writing skills, we can't wait to read the poems!

Science Week

Week 6 is shaping up to be an exciting one at St Patrick’s School Tongala as we celebrate Science Week with this year’s intriguing theme: ‘Seeds of Science: Nurturing knowledge for all."

As we did last year, students will have the opportunity to take part in lunchtime science experiments—offering an exciting, hands-on way to explore the wonders of our universe! 

Activities will be 'opt-in' sessions held during lunchtime, allowing students from all year levels to get curious, experiment and dive into the mysteries of science at their own pace. 

Each day will feature a different experiment designed to spark imagination and encourage scientific thinking. 

We’ll be sharing more details with students next week to build the excitement, so stay tuned! 

Let the discoveries begin! 

Lion's Club Public Speaking

A big congratulations to Angus and Amelia for proudly representing our school in the Lions Clug Speaking Competition Final on Sunday last week, competing again students from other local schools. 

Both students did an outstanding job, speaking with confidence and representing our school beautifully. We are incredibly proud of their efforts and achievements. 

A special congratulations to Amelia, who won the Year 5-6 section and will now progress to the next stage of the competition. We wish her all the very best as she continues her speaking journey. 

Well done, Angus and Amelia!