Learning and Curriculum Primary - Stage 3

Things are a little quieter in Stage 3 this week with Year 5 attending Camp at Katoomba. As students boarded the buses on Tuesday morning, there was a mixture of excitement and nervousness in the air. For some, this is their first experience staying overnight away from home and with this comes a range of emotions. Our Year 5 teachers and the staff at Katoomba are doing their all to make this unique experience as memorable as possible. A reminder that Year 5 students have their 'Rest Day' on Friday, and as such, they do not attend school. 

Year 5 Academic Assessment Results

Year 5 parents/carers are invited to view the Academic Reports and Standardised Testing sections of the TASS Parent Lounge where their sons’ Academic Assessment Services (AAS) results have been uploaded. The comprehensive report identifies areas of strength and future development in Mathematics, Reading and Writing. 

These results were vital in the composition of the seven mixed ability classes and are the initial data used to identify students requiring support or enrichment. Class teachers use this data to inform their practice and make suitable modifications to meet each student at his point of need. Students sit the AAS tests again in Year 6, 8 and 10, allowing the College to track each boy’s growth over the years. 

Class Spotlight

5 Gold

In Mathematics we have learnt about place value and strategies for multiplication such as the area model, formal algorithm and partitioning –Luca W and Derreck

During reading, we have been focusing on answering comprehension questions that show we understand the story – Duke

In History, we are learning about how the Australian colonies were developed by the English who came on ships – Luca C

6 Gold

In Mathematics we have learnt about multi step addition and subtraction problems, and how you need to focus on key words to help you know what strategy to use – Tyler

In Science, we are learning about projectile motion and we did an experiment to show this. We used a rubber band, ruler and paper clip to test how far the paper clip would go depending on how far we pulled the band back – Eli

We have been using the ‘STEAL’ method in writing to help us describe the character. This method reminds us to think about the character’s speech, thoughts, effects on others, actions and looks –Jacob 

Daniel Fields                                                                 Sarah Tatola 

Head of Curriculum (Stage 3)                               Head of Teaching and Learning (Stage 3) 

Presentation of Year 6 Leaders 2024 

On Friday 23 February, we formally acknowledged the group of promising young men who were elected as Year 6 leaders for 2024. 

The theme of leadership was present throughout the Assembly in various ways, from the presence and participation of our Year 8 Year Ambassadors and Year 12 prefects, to the addresses of our College leaders, Dr Lavorato and Mr Sinadinos, who encouraged us all to take ownership of our actions and have courage in our convictions. Leadership takes many forms both in our school and in our society, and while we acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of those who carry official titles and badges, we are all called to serve others and bring light to our communities. 

I took great pride in presenting the following young men to the Assembly, as did their teachers, parents/carers and family members who were present on the day: 

As a community, we look forward to watching the boys develop confidence in their roles and supporting them as they grow into promising leaders of the future. There was no greater example of this confidence and promise, than the address of Junior School Captain, Marcus Donovan, published with his permission below:

I too would like to acknowledge the traditional owners of the land that we are gathered here today. 

Always was, always will be.

Good morning, Dr Lavorato, Mr. Byrne and members of St Patrick’s College community. It is my greatest honour and privilege to be your newly elected Junior School Captain for 2024. 

I am super excited to embark on this year’s journey with each and every one of you. Our school is one united community, and I am fully committed to ensuring that every voice is heard, and that every achievement is celebrated.

I humbly accept this badge as a symbol of appreciation and gratitude. 

Coming from another school was quite daunting for me, not knowing a single soul…. but standing up on this podium here today goes to show that anything is possible, as long you believe in it. 

I am ready to lead! 

Luceat Lux Vestra!

Ms Maria Capobianco

Year 6 Coordinator