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 2025, our students have been actively participating 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: 

• Bebras Computational Thinking Challenge 

  A fun, online challenge that promotes logical thinking, pattern recognition, and problem-solving through interactive tasks for students Year 3-6. 

• Kangourou sans Frontières (Kangaroo Maths Competition) 

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

• Computational and Algorithmic Thinking (CAT) 

  A competition that incorporates unique ‘three-stage tasks’ that encourage students to develop informal algorithms and apply them to test data of increasing size or complexity. 

• Maths Challenge for Young Australians 

  Students selected for this challenge work independently on rich, open-ended problems over a three-week period, building their perseverance and mathematical creativity. 

• Maths Enrichment Program 

  A follow-on from the Maths Challenge, this term-long extension offers deeper learning for mathematically talented students. It encourages abstract thinking, creative approaches, and detailed mathematical communication. 

Participation in these activities encourages confidence, independence and a love of mathematical thinking—important skills for lifelong learning. 

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. 

Furphy Junior Writers Award 

This creative writing competition invites students to submit original short stories, encouraging imaginative thinking, strong narrative structure and expressive language. St Patrick’s students have produced impressive entries that showcase both creativity and craft. 

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.