Learning & Teaching

Extending and Enriching Learning at St Patrick's Tongala

At St Patrick’s School Tongala, we are committed to nurturing the unique potential of every learner. As part of this commitment, we offer a range of extension opportunities designed to challenge, inspire, and empower students who demonstrate a particular passion or aptitude in specific learning areas. 

In 2026 our students have, and will continue to have, the opportunity to actively participate in a variety of extension programs—particularly in Mathematics, Literacy, and Public Speaking—to stretch their thinking, grow their skills, and build confidence as capable, creative learners. 

Maths Extension Opportunities

Maths Tutoring with Mr Naylor 

Selected students across the senior classes are participating in small group math sessions with Mr Naylor. These groups are designed to extend students beyond the standard curriculum, using high-level problem-solving tasks. 

Australian Mathematics Trust Competitions 

We are proud to offer participation in a range of national and international mathematics competitions. These include but are not limited to: 

• Kangourou sans Frontières (Kangaroo Maths Competition) 

An international maths competition focusing on logic and reasoning, with multiple-choice questions that go beyond routine maths. 

• CAT Coding

CAT Coding is a long-form programming challenge based on questions from the CAT competition. CAT Coding helps students develop their coding skills by coming up with programming responses to selected CAT questions.

ICAS

ICAS is a globally recognised academic competition that gives students the opportunity to discover what they are capable of.

It offers a distinctive academic experience that goes beyond everyday classroom learning, with questions designed to stretch students and engage them in new ways.

Trusted by schools across the world, the ICAS tests offer a meaningful and accessible challenge that students value.

Speaking and Writing Competitions 

Lion’s Club Public Speaking Competition 

Each year, senior students are invited to prepare and present speeches in front of an audience and judging panel as part of the Lion’s Club Public Speaking Competition. This opportunity builds students’ public speaking skills, confidence, and ability to express their ideas clearly and persuasively. 

Betty Oles Poetry Prize 

Open to young poets across the region, this competition celebrates poetic voice, originality and emotional depth. Students are supported in workshopping and refining their poems before entering their work for judging. 

Supporting Every Learner 

These extension programs are one way we celebrate and support the talents of our students. Whether through mathematical investigation, storytelling, or spoken word, we aim to provide rich and meaningful opportunities that help learners go further, think deeper, and shine brighter.