Junior School

World Teachers’ Day 

Last Friday marked an important day in the global education calendar for students and staff alike, World Teachers' Day! This special occasion holds great significance for educators as it offers a platform to reflect on the transformative power of schooling and the crucial role teachers play in this process.

As educators listen to and empower students in an ever-evolving societal landscape, it’s important to reflect on a few key tenants of education that remain steady, even in the face of seemingly constant change. Some of these important hallmarks include: 

Promoting literacy 

Teachers are the torchbearers of literacy. They introduce students to the world of diverse books and knowledge, opening doors to a lifetime of learning. On World Teachers' Day, educators are reminded of their pivotal role in helping students become proficient readers and writers.

Fostering academic integrity  

Teachers instil a strong sense of academic integrity and ethical behaviour in their students. They teach the importance of honesty, originality, and responsible research. World Teachers' Day emphasises the need for nurturing not only intellectual growth, but also ethical development.

Cultivating critical thinking

Education is not just about memorising facts; it's about developing critical thinking skills. Teachers encourage students to question, analyse and evaluate information critically. In celebrating this day, educators reaffirm their commitment to nurturing independent thinkers.

Developing creativity

Creativity is the cornerstone of innovation. Teachers inspire creativity in their students, fostering the next generation of artists, inventors, and problem- solvers. In fact, 65% of students cite doing and creating as the most effective methods of learning. World Teachers' Day underscores the importance of fostering creativity and innovation in education.

We are enormously proud of our teachers in the Junior School. They impart far more than the curriculum they are asked to deliver; they impart vital lifelessons for the boys in their daily care. Our teachers ultimately shape your children into young adults of substance and significance who we can all be proud of as St Patrick’s College students.

Celebrating Success

I’ve talked a lot about balance this year, and the importance of seeking it in the lives of our students, if not during the course of each day, then certainly during the course of a week, month, or year. There are times when life can get a little too serious and the busyness of our day-to-day experiences can sometimes take over all else that occurs, but there are also moments to savour when a little bit of fun and whimsy can help to break the nexus of all the ‘important’ work that must be completed.

Term 4 is a ‘full term’. It is nine weeks packed with events, experiences, celebrations, preparations, and that’s all on top of the regular life of the school; with a focus on learning! The point to remember is that all of these things can actually exist at the same time. It is very easy to overlook the minimilestones that regularly occur throughout the year for our boys, which can be innocently forgotten in the face of many other events that take place at the College. Yet, it is certainly worth taking the time to pause and celebrate such occasions as they happen in the lives of our students.

One such moment of celebration occurred last Friday during our College Assembly, as nine Junior School boys were deservedly recognised for achieving a Commendation Certificate, otherwise known as a Principal’s Award. In order to receive this significant merit award, a student must be given four Commendation Awards, equivalent to 16 Commendations in total! As I’m sure you can appreciate, this is certainly not an easy feat to accomplish and requires consistent effort over a sustained period of time. I would therefore like to sincerely congratulate the following boys who were all presented with a Commendation Certificate last week:

Year 6 Thanksgiving Mass and Dinner

Towards the end of the month, our Year 6 team is delighted to announce an updated format to a longstanding tradition in the Junior School. On Tuesday 28 November, all Year 6 boys will participate in a special Thanksgiving Mass and Dinner as we mark the end of their primary school years. Beginning at 5:00 PM in the College Gym, students will be involved in a celebratory mass in honour of the occasion before each class will present a unique item reflecting their final year experienced in the Junior School. Light catering and refreshments for all students and parents/carers will then be served from the ground floor of the new Scientia Building to cap off what promises to be a wonderful evening. 

It is hoped that this special thanksgiving experience will ultimately follow on from the initial Year 5 Welcome Mass and Dinner event which is held at the start of the boys’ entry to the College. In doing so, our Year 6 event will recognise the conclusion of one stage of their educational journey and the beginning of another as students prepare for Year 7.

Later this week, all Year 6 parents/carers will receive an invitation via Humanitix to secure their place at this important thanksgiving event that has been specifically planned for the boys and their parents to enjoy.

Year 6 Camp Day 

A friendly reminder that all documentation for the upcoming Year 6 camp day to Somerset Outdoor Learning Centre must be returned before the end of this week (Friday 3 November). The Participant Declaration Form and the Health Information Form should be given to your son’s classroom teacher so that appropriate arrangements can be made for all boys. Parents/carers are also required to provide consent for their son to attend the camp day event itself and this can be done online via the Parent Lounge. Thank you very much to the many Year 6 parents who have already given their approval online and returned the necessary paperwork for their son. 

We look forward to sharing a recap of this exciting single day camp experience for our Year 6 boys in the next edition of the Especean newsletter!

If you have any queries or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me via email (glenn.stephenson@spc.nsw.edu.au) or phone (8705 9247) and I will endeavour to assist you in any way that I can.

May God bless you,

Glenn Stephenson

Director of Junior School

Fundraising for Mission Partners 

The Junior School is currently fundraising for our Mission Partners with the aim of raising over $40,000. 

On Friday 3 November the students will be doing a WALK FOR CHANGE, by walking around the back ovals for an hour. They aim to raise awareness of the constant difficulties that many people in the world face and are unable to ‘stop’ and simply take a ‘time out’ from. 

Our partners this year are St Gabriel’s School Castle Hill, St Edmund’s School Wahroonga, Mission Australia, and Chetanalaya in India.  

Thank you for your ongoing support of our students and their learning beyond the classroom.  

Stephen Cooper

Junior School Religious Education Coordinator