Learning & Teaching

A big THANK YOU to Lauren for all of her work and leadership in this space.

Making the Most of Your Holiday Break!

As we wrap up the school year and head into the holiday break, it’s the perfect opportunity to spend quality time with your children, create meaningful memories, and recharge for the year ahead. Holidays are more than just a break from school—they’re a chance to strengthen family bonds and foster lifelong learning through experiences and conversations. Here are some ideas to make this holiday season special:

Quality Time Together

The most important gift you can give your children is your time. Whether it’s reading a favorite book together, baking holiday treats, or simply enjoying a walk outdoors, these moments create a sense of connection and security. Try setting aside time each day to be fully present—without distractions—to truly enjoy each other’s company.

Meaningful Conversations

Holidays are the perfect time for open and heartfelt conversations. Ask your children about their favorite memories from the year or what they’re looking forward to in the year ahead. Sharing stories, dreams, and laughter can help deepen your connection and let your children know their thoughts and feelings are valued.

Here are some conversation starters:

• What’s one thing you were really proud of this year?
• If you could plan the perfect family day, what would it look like?
• What’s something new you’d like to learn or try during the holidays?

Creating New Experiences

This holiday, explore new activities as a family! You don’t need to go far or spend a lot—simple outings can lead to incredible memories. Consider:

• Visiting a local park or nature reserve for a picnic or scavenger hunt.
• Crafting together—make holiday decorations, cards, or gifts.
• Supporting local events like markets, carols, or community festivals.
• Learning something new as a family, like a recipe, a game, or a fun DIY project.

Why is it important for my child to rest during the school holiday break? 

Encouraging a balance of rest, play, and meaningful activities during the holiday break is key to helping your child thrive both at home and in school.

What are some places in our area I can take my child during the school holidays?

Here are some fantastic family activities to enjoy around Kyabram, Echuca, and Shepparton during the school holidays:

Kyabram

• Kyabram Fauna Park: Explore the park's native wildlife and unique attractions. They often feature special holiday events, like animatronic dinosaur exhibits and interactive animal experiences​Campaspe Shire Council​Shepparton News
• Cussen Park: A great spot for birdwatching and enjoying nature, perfect for a relaxing family day out​Shepparton & Goulburn Valley

Echuca

• Port of Echuca Discovery Centre: Immerse yourself in Echuca's rich history with paddle steamers and museum exhibits. It’s a fun and educational outing for kids​Greater Shepparton City Council
• Echuca Library Holiday Programs: Enjoy free craft and storytelling sessions tailored for young children​Campaspe Shire Council

Shepparton

• Shepparton Art Museum (SAM): Participate in hands-on holiday programs like art and craft workshops designed for children and families​Shepparton & Goulburn Valley
• Victoria Park Lake: Try River Connect’s Bird Bingo and explore the wetlands while spotting various bird species​Shepparton & Goulburn Valley
• Mini Golf at Riverside Gardens: Challenge your family to a round of mini-golf with discounts available on weekdays during the holidays​Shepparton & Goulburn Valley
• Maude Street Mall Giant Games: Enjoy oversized games like chess and Jenga as part of the Shepparton City Council’s free activities​Greater Shepparton City Council
• Junior Sports Clinics: Children can rotate through fun sports like cricket, football, and tennis in various locations​Shepparton News

These activities offer a mix of adventure, learning, and relaxation, ensuring a memorable break for your family!

A Safe and Happy Holiday Season

Above all, we hope your holiday break is filled with joy, rest, and gratitude. From everyone here at school, thank you for your support and partnership throughout the year. It’s been an absolute pleasure to share in your children’s learning journeys, and we can’t wait to see what the new year will bring.

Have a safe and wonderful holiday season and a Happy New Year! St Patrick’s looks forward to seeing you all in 2025, ready for another year of growth and adventure. 🎉

Reading Reports! 

Our teachers are currently in ‘report writing mode’ which means that soon our families will be in ‘report reading mode’! To help with reading reports and support the big question of ‘what does this all mean?’ here is your report reading guide: 

Why is it important to read your child's report?

Reading school reports is vital for families to stay engaged in their child's academic journey. These reports provide insights into a student's progress, strengths, and areas needing improvement. By reviewing them, families can celebrate achievements, address challenges, and collaborate with teachers to support their child's education. Staying informed through school reports helps ensure that students receive the encouragement and resources they need to succeed.

It is important that if you see anything on your child’s report that brings up questions or concerns for you that you share these with your child's classroom teacher so you can have your queries addressed. Doing this in a timely manner after reading the report is crucial to ensure things get discussed straight away and our concerns don’t grow over time.

Why should I share the report with my child? 

Sharing school reports with your child and opportunity to have open communication and self-awareness. It allows children to understand their progress, celebrate their achievements, and recognize areas for improvement. Discussing the report together can boost their motivation, help set realistic goals, and encourage a proactive attitude towards learning. Sharing their report and results with them is an excellent way for your child to feel supported about their learning at school. 

When we read our child’s reports we should follow this cycle: 

Review: Read your child’s report

Share: Share your child’s report with them

Question: Note down your questions or concerns and speak with your child’s classroom teacher. 

What do the progression points mean? 

Progression points in a school report are key indicators of a student's development in various subjects. Understanding these points helps parents track academic growth over time and see how their child is progressing. All of the progression points for St Patrick’s align with the Victorian Curriculum standards and levels. Here is a look at what the different elements of the progression points mean in your child’s report. 

Why is my child’s attendance mentioned in their report? 

Attendance is mentioned in your child's report because it plays a crucial role in their academic success. Regular attendance ensures that students do not miss out on important lessons, class discussions, and activities that contribute to their learning and development. 

At St Patrick’s if a student is sitting below 90% attendance they receive a comment in their Semester Report. 

At St Patrick’s every student has a right to feel celebrated, welcomed and valued. All teachers and staff are committed to ensuring your child loves coming to school each day and works hard to ensure each student is being supported in their learning. We appreciate you being invested in your child’s learning by reading their report. With reports coming out in the next few weeks we ask that parents read them, celebrate and share with their child and follow up with classroom teachers if there are any questions.