Quick bites

NAPLAN 2026 – Important Information for Parents

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is an annual assessment for all students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. The information gathered helps us understand student progress and tailor our teaching to support every learner.

Year 7 and 9 students will complete four online tests on the following dates:

• Wednesday, 11 March: Writing
• Thursday, 12 March: Reading
• Friday, 13 March: Conventions of Language (spelling, grammar and punctuation)

• Monday, 16 March: Numeracy

  NOTE: Students who are absent will be scheduled for a catch‑up session during the testing window.

What students need to bring:

• A fully charged laptop
• Headphones (not required for the Reading test)
• Pen and paper will be supplied for planning or working out.

NAPLAN provides parents, teachers and schools with a snapshot of student achievement at the time of testing and helps identify areas for future improvement. It is just one part of our broader assessment program and does not replace the ongoing assessments made by teachers.

Students do not need to study for NAPLAN. Parents can best support their child by reassuring them that NAPLAN is a normal part of school and encouraging them to simply do their best. Teachers will familiarise students with the online platform, but no formal preparation is required.

Further information will be provided to families of Year 7 and 9 students. If you have any questions, please contact our NAPLAN Coordinator Luke Corden via email lcorden@stpats.vic.edu.au.

Homework Group

Supporting Success Beyond the School Day

We are pleased to remind families about our Homework Group, running each week from 3:30pm–4:30pm, Tuesday to Thursday in the Kelty Resource Centre (KRC).

Homework Group provides students with a dedicated hour to:

• Complete assigned homework
• Catch up on incomplete work
• Improve study techniques and organisation
• Access support from teaching staff and Learning Support Officers to improve understanding

The group runs throughout Terms 1, 2, 3 and 4, with the exception of special school events such as Swimming Carnival, Edmund Rice Day and other whole-school activities.

This is an opt-in program, and a roll is taken each afternoon for supervision purposes. However, students are not required to attend every session — they are welcome to come one, two or all three afternoons each week or on an as needed basis, depending on their needs. We strongly encourage students in Years 7–12 to take advantage of this opportunity.

Why Homework Group?

We understand that home can sometimes be a busy environment, evenings can be filled with family, work and other commitments. We also appreciate that while many parents/carers generously offer to help with homework, it may have been a little while since some of the topics currently being studied were last attempted, or you may be met with the dreaded stone wall of "I don't have any homework." 

Homework Group provides a calm, structured and supportive setting where students can complete homework, consolidate the learning they engaged in during the day and seek clarification when needed.

Our staff are also encouraged to recommend or refer students who are consistently not completing homework. This is not intended as a punitive measure, but rather as a supportive, encouraging response when a student may benefit from additional guidance, structure or assistance.

Our goal is to create a safe and inviting environment that gives every student the opportunity to succeed, build confidence and develop positive study habits.

We warmly encourage families to speak with their sons about attending Homework Group and making the most of this valuable support.

Kerryn Parkinson

Head of Enhanced Learning

2025 Annual

Our 2025 Annual magazine is hot off the press and ready to share! Copies will be distributed to students in Years 8-12 next week.

To assist families, the magazine will be provided to the eldest child in each family via Homerooms. We hope that you enjoy reading this wonderful reflection of the year that was. 

St Patrick's Day Lunch

Come and celebrate St Patrick's Day with us! Join us in the OCA Pavilion on Tuesday, 17 March for our annual St Patrick's Day lunch. This year, we will also be celebrating our Class of 1966 60-Year Reunion and Class of 1976 50-Year Reunion. Cost is $40 and includes a two-course meal. Barrister John Larkins (SPC 1961-67) is our guest speaker. All members of the SPC community (not just past students!) are welcome. 

Further details and tickets below.

Student Shout Outs

At St Patrick's, we know that learning and growth extend far beyond the classroom. Here, we proudly celebrate the outstanding achievements of our students outside the school gates.

These accomplishments reflect not only individual talent and dedication, but also the spirit of Faith, Excellence and Joy that our students carry into the wider world.

We warmly encourage families to share their son's accomplishments with us so we can continue to recognise and celebrate the many ways our young men are making a difference in their communities.

Well done to Jack Costigan (Year 9) and Will Steenhuis (Year 10) on their selection in the Melton Cricket Club U15 VSDCA J G Craig Shield team. Although defeated in the quarter finals, the boys gained valuable cricketing experience throughout the tournament.

SPC was well represented at the recent Junior Country Basketball Championships. Congratulations to the following students who were part of the Ballarat Miners Championship winning U16 and U18 teams.

U16: Zayne Lunn (Year 9), Lucas Sheehan (Year 9), River Sisic (Year 9), Harrington Kydd (Year 9), Max Walsh (Year 9), Lachlan Rowe (Year 10)

U18: Jackson Hood (Year 10), James Sheehan (Year 11), Noah Phillips (Year 11), Lucas Byrne (Year 11), Joseph Buckle (Year 11)

We congratulate Jack Stringer (Year 10), whose actions truly reflect what it means to be a Paddy boy. Awarded the Jess Sutton Shield at Lorne Surf Life Saving Club's Bronze Camp, Jack was recognised for his empathy, compassion and determination. Through his service patrolling Lorne Beach during summer, Jack is making a meaningful contribution to his community and living our values beyond the school gates.