Acting Deputy Principal

NAPLAN 2024

This week, individual NAPLAN results were delivered to schools. As a College, we were extremely proud to see some incredible growth in our students’ learning outcomes. An initial analysis of the results show that we have seen significant improvement in almost all measurable domains. 

It is important to note that even very modest increases in scores are always cause for celebration, however, we have seen very high levels of growth, with the greatest improvement appearing in our writing outcomes. 

In addition, our largest Year level improvement was at Year 9. This demonstrates that the instructional practices that we implement as a College are having significant impact on our students - both initially, but more importantly, increasing over a student’s time with us.

In comparing 2024 outcomes with national outcomes for all boys last year (including those attending single sex and co-educational schools), we have seen that our outcomes are exceeding the national 2023 mean for boys in almost all domains. 

Whilst scores are not the fundamental purpose or goal of education, they do indicate that what we are doing as a school is working for our boys. For teachers, reflecting on our outcomes are an important part of our practice. They provide an objective measure of our instruction, and an evaluation of the different elements in our practice.  As expert educators we are passionate, and we show this in striving to always get better at what we do – and this is how we use NAPLAN.

At St Patrick’s College, the thing that motivates us most is that students are learning the things that we are teaching them. Therefore, outcomes like this are indeed cause for celebration. Of course, ensuring positive student wellbeing is also an essential part of our role – a synergy of outstanding care and the highest calibre of teaching is what we always strive to achieve for our boys.

Importantly, our core business is teaching and learning. Through education, we open doorways, unlock the pathway to every boy’s future and ensure that for every student, they can discover their own personal calling. This enables them to share their individual gifts with others, ultimately leading us to create a better world. For this reason, we are both proud and pleased with the outstanding results that we have achieved in 2024.

Subject Selection 

Yesterday, we held our Subject Information Evening, with well over 400 people in attendance at the event. It was wonderful to see such an incredible turn out, and it is exciting for us as educators, to see such a significant show of support and investment in the future pathways of our students.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the members of our community, who gave of their valuable time to attend the Subject Information Evening. We trust that through this event, you were able to find all the information and advice that you need, to be able to make an informed decision about your child’s future pathway.

For those who were unable to make it on the night, we will be releasing a video of the presentation component of the evening. In addition, next week we are holding Subject Selection interviews, for students transitioning into Year 11 in 2025, with our Academic Advisors. We also have our new Careers and Pathways Hub, located in the Waterford Wing, where students can stop in any time for advice and information about all aspects of their future pathways.

And of course, there are always many more opportunities for students and their families to speak with our educational experts, who know and understand the subject pathways, as well as understanding the individual strengths of their students. If you are unsure of who to speak to during the subject selection process, please do not hesitate to contact us at the College, and we can put you in contact with the most appropriate person.

On Monday, students will receive an email which will have a link to the subject selection 

portal, along with their password and login details for this. The due dates for submission of subject preferences are as follows:

Year 12 2025 – Friday 2 August (end of Term 3, Week 3)

Year 11 2025 – Friday 9 August (end of Term 3, Week 4)

Year 9&10 2025 – Friday 16 August (end of Term 3, Week 5)

We understand that for our students and their families, subject selection represents an important step in their education. Please do not hesitate to contact us, should you require any support throughout the subject selection process.

Parent Teacher Interviews

Parent Teacher Interviews for Semester 2 will be held at the College on Tuesday, 30 July.

Interviews will take place in the Wilding Wing from 4pm-7pm, and will be open for bookings on Monday July 22 via our Parent Access Module (PAM).

Please note that students are expected to attend interviews with their parents/guardians.

We look forward to seeing you there.