Dear families,

What a wonderful Week 4 it has been - beautiful weather, great learning experiences both within and beyond the school.

Last Thursday, our school community gathered for our annual Mother’s Day Breakfast and followed by the Mother’s Day Stall on Friday. Both occasions were filled with warmth, laughter and a genuine sense of connection. It was great to see so many mothers, grandmothers and special guests join us to begin the day together.

These events are an important reminder that schools are at their very best when families and staff work in partnership. Thank you to our dedicated Parents & Friends volunteers and staff members who gave their time so generously to make these occasions so special for our students and families.

To all mothers and those who play a nurturing role in the lives of our children, we extend our appreciation. Your love, encouragement and quiet sacrifices shape our students in countless ways - thank you!

“A mother’s love is the first gift we ever receive, and the one that remains with us forever.”

School-Wide Writing Moderation

This week, all students completed a writing task as part of our whole-school writing moderation process. These common assessment tasks provide an important snapshot of each student’s writing development and help us monitor progress across the school.

Next week, teachers will work collaboratively to moderate the writing samples using agreed assessment criteria and achievement standards. This professional dialogue supports consistency in teacher judgement and strengthens our shared understanding of what successful writing looks like at each year level.

Feedback and assessment information from this task will be made available to families in PAM as a Learning Areas Task at the end of Week 5. We encourage parents and carers to review the task with their child and celebrate the growth they are making as writers.

Refurbished Student Toilets Now Open

I am delighted to share that our refurbished student toilet facilities are now complete and officially open.

The transformation has significantly improved the functionality, presentation, and overall quality of these important spaces. Since opening, I have visited each classroom to explicitly teach students our expectations for using and caring for the facilities. Our focus has been on respect - for the space, for others, and for the staff who work hard to keep our school clean and welcoming.

These facilities represent a significant investment in our students’ wellbeing and in the ongoing improvement of our school environment. We thank everyone for their patience during the refurbishment process.

Final reminder - 2027 Foundation Enrolments

2027 Foundation Enrolments are now open. If you have a child in kindergarten and you would like to secure a place for them in Foundation at St Patrick's in 2027, you need to follow the enrolment application process outlined on our website: www.spballarat.catholic.edu.au

Please note - this is for all enrolments including our current St Patrick's families. Applications close today.

SchoolTV

This week on SchoolTV you will find a focus topic on Neurodiversity.

"Neurodiversity in children and adolescents is a concept celebrating the natural variation in how young minds work. It acknowledges that neurological differences, such as ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and giftedness, are not disabilities but unique aspects of human cognition. Embracing neurodiversity fosters acceptance, empathy, and inclusivity in society. Parents play a pivotal role in supporting their neurodiverse child by understanding their specific needs, advocating for appropriate educational accommodations, and seeking professional guidance when necessary. By appreciating and nurturing their child's strengths, parents can help them thrive and unlock their full potential, leading to a more compassionate and understanding future for all."

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

Kind regards,

Ben Shields

UPDATED School Calendar Term 2