The Drum

From the Principal

Dear families,

 

Welcome back to school, and welcome to Term Three! We have an exciting eight weeks ahead as we learn, create, and grow together. This semester, our whole school will be exploring the concept of ‘Innovation,’ with a special focus on how creativity transforms both the performing arts and our everyday learning.

 

Throughout this term, students will dive deeply into music, movement, and rhythm, while also sharpening their skills in drama, acting, and public speaking. From reimagining classic stories to experimenting with new forms of self-expression, our students will have the opportunity to innovate and make each performance their own.

 

All of these learning experiences will be celebrated at our school concert, held at the Civic Hall on Tuesday, 16th September. The concert theme this year is ‘Reimagined Classics,’ where students will present fresh takes on beloved works in music and drama, showcasing the power of innovation to breathe new life into traditions.

 

Further information about the concert will be shared soon. For now, please mark your calendars for this very special evening—an inspiring celebration of our community’s creativity and our students’ talents in both music and drama.

Parents and Friends Association

We warmly invite all families to attend our upcoming Parents & Friends meeting on Monday 28th July at 7pm at the Western Hotel.

 

Your presence is important to us — not just as a participant, but as a valued member of our school community. Please don’t worry that attending means you’ll be roped into running events or leading activities! We simply want your voice in the conversation, your thoughts, and your ideas about how we can make our school the best it can be.

Whether you’re a regular, a newcomer, or just curious, we’d love to see you there. Your perspective matters!

Sacrament of Confirmation

We are now preparing for the next Sacrament in our students’ faith journey: Confirmation. This special Sacrament is open to all students in Grade 3 and above who have been baptised. To begin the process, please register your interest by completing this form. 

 

An information session for parents was held this morning at school. If you weren't able to attend you can join the Parish Information Session in the Glowrey Room at St Patrick’s Cathedral at 5:30pm tonight (Thursday, July 24th). 

 

We look forward to supporting our students as they prepare to receive this important Sacrament.

3-Way Chats

Next week, we are looking forward to offering 3-Way Chats to reflect on learning achievements throughout semester 1 and to co-design learning goals and experiences as a team for the second semester. 

 

NOTE - Bookings close at 3:30 pm tomorrow (Friday).  

 

A few years ago the School Advisory Council composed the below protocols for the 3-Way Chats that are quality guidelines for what we aim to achieve through this interview model. 

 

3-Way Chat bookings are available via PAM. The interviews are scheduled for 10 minute bookings between 3:30-6:00 pm on Monday 28th or Tuesday 29th of July. Please note that Miss O'Brien and Ms. Lamb are unavailable and will schedule interviews for later in the term - TBC. 

 

Aims of the Three Way chats

  • That students will articulate their learning goals with support from classroom teacher and parents
  • That communal understandings about individual learning needs will be established between student, parents and classroom teacher
  • That attention will focus on goal setting as a means for improving learning, behaviour and/or social interactions
  • That the student will be affirmed in their ability to articulate and desire to improve their learning, social interactions and/or behaviour
  • That the principles of twenty first century learning are fostered among students

Protocols for Three Way Chats

  • Families will be responsible for booking their 3 Way Chats
  • Once a booking has been made, a commitment to attend the 3 Way Chat will be presumed
  • In the event of unforeseen circumstances, an alternative meeting time may be arranged at a mutually convenient time
  • 10 minutes will be strictly adhered to for each 3 Way Chat
  • No 3 Way Chat will be permitted to go over time
  • Failure to book a 3 Way Chat will be understood to mean that a meeting is not sought by the family and this will not be followed up by the school or classroom teacher

A Mid-Year Reflection: Child Safety and Student Voice at the Centre of St Patrick’s

As we pass the halfway point of the 2025 school year, we take this opportunity to reflect on the progress we've made in strengthening our commitment to child safety, student wellbeing, and a culture where every child feels valued, heard, and supported.

 

Our school has always placed the safety and wellbeing of students at the heart of our mission. Throughout the year so far, this commitment has been actively lived out through our refreshed leadership structure, our continued implementation of the Child Safe Standards, and our targeted work with SWPBS (School-Wide Positive Behaviour Support).

 

A Culture Grounded in the Child Safe Standards

St Patrick’s continues to embed the 11 Child Safe Standards in all aspects of school life. These standards are not just guidelines—they are embedded into our routines, relationships, policies, and planning. We are proud of the culture of care and safety that is evident in classrooms, playgrounds, and across the broader school community.

 

Key examples of this work in action include:

  • Empowered Students: Across the school, students are increasingly confident in expressing their thoughts, contributing ideas, and engaging in conversations about their own safety and the wellbeing of others. Our focus on student agency aligns closely with Standards 3 and 4.
  • Inclusive Practices: We continue to celebrate the diverse identities within our community, ensuring that every child feels culturally safe, seen, and included. This includes ongoing learning around Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives, and affirming all forms of diversity.
  • Staff Capability and Care: All staff remain actively engaged in professional learning around child safety, mandatory reporting, and inclusive practices. Our induction and training processes ensure a consistent and proactive approach.
  • Student Support and Participation: Our students are aware of their rights, supported to raise concerns, and know who to go to when they need help. Our child-friendly reporting structures are visible and accessible.

 

SWPBS Blitzes: Strengthening Routines and Transitions

A key feature of our child safety and wellbeing work this year has been our continued implementation of School-Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) blitzes. In Term 2, our blitz focus has centred around school-wide routines, with a particular emphasis on safe and respectful transitions.

 

Whether moving between classrooms, entering and exiting specialist spaces, or transitioning into eating and playtime, clear expectations and consistent routines help create calm, safe environments for all. Through this focus, staff and students have revisited what safe transitions look like, sound like, and feel like in every part of the school.

 

These blitzes are helping students develop a shared language around behaviour, while reinforcing our school values in practical, everyday moments. Importantly, they also empower students to support one another and take responsibility for the shared spaces they move through each day.

 

Teachers have reported improved consistency and greater student awareness, while students are demonstrating increased confidence in managing themselves and helping their peers. These small moments—done well and done often—are building a stronger, safer school culture.

SchoolTV 

This week on SchoolTV you will find a focus topic on friendship and belonging.

 

“The ability to obtain, maintain and retain friendships is, according to all the childhood psychologists in the whole wide world, the greatest predictor of wellbeing. Having a rich repertoire of friends is a true indicator of whether your child is travelling ok.”

Dr Michael Carr-Gregg

 

 

Click on the link below to access a wealth of videos, articles, and resources on the aforementioned topics.

All Editions | St Patrick's School - Ballarat (schooltv.me) 

 

 

Kind regards,

Ben Shields