Principal
Tips for Parents to make the most out of Parent-Teacher-Student Interviews this week
Parent-teacher interviews provide an important opportunity to discuss your son’s progress with their teachers.
Here are some tips to get the best out of your time with the teacher.
Do your homework
Take a few minutes before the meeting to jot down any questions or comments you have. Common questions may include:
How is my son fitting in with other boys?
What are the boys working on now?
Is there anything about my son’s needs that I should know?
Does my son ask questions, participate in class discussions and other activities?
Is my son’s progress satisfactory?
What activities does my son seem to enjoy the most at school?
Who are my son’s friends?
Does my son join in with other boys in the playground?
What kinds of things will the class be doing over the next few weeks?
How is my son progressing in comparison to others in the year?
Is there anything I can be doing to help my son at home?
Do you have any concerns about my child?
What is the best time and way to contact you if I have a concern?
Also, list anything that might be happening at home that may be helpful for your son’s teacher to know. If your son has seen a specialist for example, there may be some information that is important for the teacher or the school counsellor to know.
Go with a positive attitude
Approach the interview with a positive and relaxed attitude. Remember you and the teacher are partners in your son’s learning. Be clear and confident in raising any concerns and allow the teacher to answer or clarify your questions and worries.
Teachers want to help students achieve their best – you’re on the same team.
Walk away with an agreed plan
If the teacher raises issues about your son’s learning, development or behaviour, your goal will be to understand the plan to manage that during the school day and how you can help at home.
For example, if your son is struggling to pay attention in class, a behaviour diary which travels between class and home every day may be a good suggestion. The idea is that the teacher updates you with a short, written account of your son’s day, so you can discuss it with your son each evening.
Ask the teacher what sort of strategies they have in mind and how you can help.
Plan to communicate
The parent-teacher interview is not the only time you can discuss your son with the teacher, but many parents and carers find it’s their only opportunity to visit the school. Ask the teacher how you can best communicate with each other in the future. Many teachers make appointments to see or call you outside of school hours. Others find email works well.
Between 8:30 AM and 3:30 PM is non-stop for teachers, and their primary responsibility each day is to teach their students. Teachers can’t leave their class unattended to talk with you so it’s best to come up with a plan to stay in touch.
After the interview
It’s important to discuss the meeting with your son and really congratulate them on their strengths. If the teacher made suggestions of things you could do at home, discuss these with your son and commit to following through with them.
It can be easier to approach the teacher or the Principal when you feel part of the school community. Volunteer if you can or stay connected on social media or online.
Don’t let issues brew
Stay in touch with the teacher and the school. Make contact if a concern arises before or after the parent-teacher interviews. Let the teacher know what your concern is so they can prepare for your conversation. For example, if you’re worried your son isn’t making friends, the teacher may want to observe them in the playground before you talk. Or if you’re concerned your son isn’t performing as well as expected, the teacher may want to check last year’s notes, talk to colleagues or review assessment results.
If there’s something happening at home with your son or another family member, it can affect your son’s learning and behaviour at school, so please let the school know.
Get to know your son’s Year Coordinator
The Year Coordinator is a great point of contact when you have a question or problem that’s not specific to one subject area. For example, if your son doesn’t seem to be on top of their homework (or says they’re not getting any homework), the Year Coordinator would be the person to call. They can have a chat with the teachers involved and get back to you.
The same goes for social problems your son may be having. Year Coordinators try to get to know all their kids on a more personal level and can keep an eye on how your son is progressing.
Seeking more help
If you’ve talked to the teacher and still aren’t satisfied with the outcome, you can always make an appointment to discuss your concerns with the Head of Department, Year Coordinator, Director of Middle or Senior School or the Deputy Principal.
At St Patrick’s College, we ask all members of our community to engage in these discussions in a manner consistent with our Parent Code of Conduct. Parents/carers are expected to communicate respectfully and constructively, uphold the College’s Catholic ethos, and work in partnership with staff to support student learning and wellbeing. By fostering positive, courteous and solution-focused conversations, we strengthen the respectful relationships that are central to our College community. Parents/carers are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the Code of Conduct, available here: St Patrick's College Parent Code of Conduct.
Staff Changes and News
We congratulate Mrs Constance Lukas who is returning to her full-time teaching role next term and will also assume the position of Acting Assistant Year Coordinator for Year 8, supporting Mr Jean-Paul Boumelhem and replacing Mrs Maria Alvaro. We wish them both well.
This Friday is the last day of work for Mrs Maria Alvaro and Mrs Adriana Karanfilovksi before they commence their parental leave. Friday is also the last day with the College for Amelia Popham (Maths), Reed Earl (Maths), and Gianluca Santoro (Languages).
We have been successful in recruiting two qualified, specialist Mathematics teachers to replace Mr Earl and Ms Popham. They are Mr Roy Zhu and Mr Berdj Kazandjan. We look forward to them joining the staff at the start of Term 3.
I will be on leave for the first two weeks of Term 3. Adrian Byrne will be Acting Principal during that time. I will be back for “Back to Breen Day” on Saturday, 1 August 2026.
We also say farewell to Mr Gianluca Santoro. As previously advised, Ms Romina Fiscaro is returning to the College staff after concluding her Long Service Leave. She will be on a flexible work arrangement until the end of the year.
I am pleased to announce the following acting leadership appointments within the College, effective from Monday, 21 September 2026.
Mrs Sarah Tatola has been appointed as Acting Director of Middle School, from Monday 21 September 2026 until Friday 5 March 2027 (the end of Week 5, Term 1, 2027).
Mr James Biviano has been appointed as Acting Director of Senior School, from Monday, 21 September 2026 until Friday, 4 December 2026.
As previously advised by the EREANSW CEO, Mr Alexandros Sinadinos will serve as Acting Deputy Principal from Monday, 21 September until Friday, 6 November (the end of Week 4, Term 4). When Mr Byrne returns to the College on Monday, 9 November in Week 5, Term 4, Mr Sinadinos will continue working alongside him on higher duties. This approach has been designed to ensure continuity of leadership and minimise disruption for the College community.
Both Mrs Tatola and Mr Biviano bring to these roles a strong commitment to the mission and values of St Patrick’s College and the Edmund Rice tradition, along with a deep understanding of the academic, pastoral and wellbeing needs of our young men.
Mrs Tatola has demonstrated outstanding leadership across a range of roles, most recently as Head of Teaching and Learning (Stage 3) and REC for many years at her previous school and brings particular strength in aligning student learning with wellbeing, supporting staff, and fostering relational trust during key transition periods in the Middle School.
Mr Biviano has shown significant leadership as Year Coordinator and through his extensive involvement in the life of the College. He brings a strong focus on student wellbeing, effective communication and collaborative practice, with a proven capacity to support students, staff and families within the Senior School.
I thank Mrs Tatola, Mr Biviano and Mr Sinadinos for their generosity in taking on these important responsibilities. I am confident that they will provide strong, consistent and compassionate leadership for our students, staff and families during this period.
As we conclude Semester 1, I would like to thank all parents and carers for your partnership, support and commitment to your son's education throughout the year. The semester has been filled with learning, growth, achievement and community spirit, and we are grateful for the role families play in helping our young men to flourish. As we move into the three-week winter vacation, I hope this time provides an opportunity for rest, renewal and quality time with family and friends. On behalf of the staff of St Patrick's College, I wish all members of our community a safe, enjoyable and well-deserved break, and we look forward to welcoming students back refreshed and ready for the opportunities of Semester 2. I look forward to seeing you all again when I return from leave on 1 August at Back to Breen Day!
Student Orbit App
Student Orbit App was launched at the end of last week and by the start of Term 3, replacing SPC App. From the start of Term 3, the SPC App will then be disabled and no longer used.
I sent an email to all our students, and their parents/carers last Friday afternoon, because boys should seek permission from parents/carers before downloading any app to their mobile phone.
These are the instructions that went out specifically for the STUDENT ORBIT APP. There is a different process for parents/carers that was sent out earlier this year.
To download the app:
You’ll be directed to the Apple or Google store.
Tap the Install button. Once the app is installed, our school will be loaded as an account.
Tap on our school’s name.
Enter your Student Café credentials on the login screen.
If the school does not automatically load, enter this school code: SPCSTUDENT and click submit.
We look forward to hearing your feedback.
We know that many boys do not have mobile phones. They can continue to use TASS Student Café.
If this is the case in your family, be aware that parents/carers can download Student Orbit on their phones and allow the boys to see the information contained there very quickly to assist in their organisation and set reminders.
The information that is in Student Orbit is a little different than that contained in Parent Orbit so make sure your son is only accessing Student Orbit.
Dr Vittoria Lavorato
Principal
SPC boys can do anything!
**except divide by zero