Especean

Principal

And We Are Off...

The new year has certainly begun in earnest. I appreciate all of the parents and carers who made it to our Information Nights last week, the first ones in two years. Our lives are so busy and we truly appreciate those who were able to come along and hear about our priorities for the year and matters specifically concerning your son/s cohort/s.

 

The Opening Mass and High Achievers’ Assembly last Friday were inspiring ways to begin the year from the welcome to Year 5 to the challenge set for the student body by their captain, Alessandro Romeo. Working to together, school and home need to find ways to keep open lines of communication for the betterment of the students.

 

Steven Dann (Dux 2022) gave an inspiring address and for those whose interest was peaked Steven described poetry and music that helped him de-stress during his HSC year. The song that Steven Dann mentioned in his speech is a very famous Arabic poem sung by a famous Egyptian singer. Below is a link to a website that has the lyrics in Arabic and an English Translation. Steven’s speech came from the fourth part starting with:

 “Give me my freedom….”. Oum Kalthoum - الأطلال (El Atlal) lyrics + English translation (lyricstranslate.com)

As for the Khalil Gibran, he was a famous Lebanese poet. You can find all his poetry online. He is amazing in his work. 

 

Studies show that healthy parent–teacher relationships are a more significant factor in student success than parent income levels or social status. Parent–teacher relationships require effort and energy from both parties if they are going to really benefit children and young people. These key strategies will help you build a healthy working relationship with teachers in the year ahead.

 

Get to know them

For your partnership to be meaningful and successful, you need to meet/communicate with your son(s) teacher(s) with the goal of forming a respectful professional relationship. Be willing to share your aspirations for your son and be willing to build the teacher’s knowledge about your family. For balanced perspective, also gain an understanding of the teacher’s approach and what focus areas they have for their particular year group. This can be done formally by attending start of the year information evenings and informally through conversations, reading newsletters and staying in touch in digitally and in real-time.

 

Trust their professionalism

Children need to know that their parents are fully behind what their teachers are trying to achieve if they are going to commit fully to learning. The best way to support your son(s) teachers is to trust their knowledge, professionalism, and experience. Avoid the temptation to question the expertise of teachers in front of students, particularly when the teachers use methods that you are unfamiliar with. Initiate conversations with teachers around methodology to give them the chance to explain the approach they are taking.

 

Go through the right channels

Despite the best teaching practices things do go wrong at school. Kids experience learning difficulties. Conflict and peer rejection happen. Kids will often come home from school with grievances and call on you for assistance. Resist the urge to react emotionally. If you need to contact teachers do so respectfully, calmly and through the correct channels. A measured response will generally achieve the best result for your son.

 

Stay solution-focused

When problems arise at school, particularly pertaining to a child’s learning or wellbeing, avoid taking a fixed position to your child’s teacher. Gather the facts as best you can and present your concerns but remain flexible to gain an outcome that’s both obtainable and in the best interests of your child. Parent-teacher relationships can easily falter when one or both parties take a firm position about a problem and are unwilling to give ground.

 

Utilise their resources

Teachers and schools often put a lot of work into sourcing and sharing credible resources that they think will help parents. Take the time to read, utilise and enjoy the information provided to you. It’s intended to make your parenting journey easier, which will also benefit your child not just at school, but at home. 

 

Build links to student learning

There’s a huge body of research that points to the correlation between parent engagement in student learning and their educational success. If you want your child to improve their learning, take an interest in what they are doing. Follow school and teacher guidelines about helping at home and attend as many conferences, meetings and events involving your child as possible. This strategy has a significant, long-term impact on your child’s attitude to learning.

 

Stay in touch

Life’s not always smooth sailing for kids of any age. Family circumstances change. Friends move away. Illness happens. Mental health challenges can hit anyone at any time. These changes affect learning. Make sure that you keep teachers up to date with significant changes or difficulties that your child or young person experiences so they can accommodate your child’s emotional and learning needs at school.

 

Be loyal

Show your loyalty to your son(s) teachers by being an advocate. Talk positively about your son(s) teacher and the College, rather than being negative about them when speaking in the wider community. Teachers hold very public positions and generally work hard to build good reputations both within their school and their wider education community. Consider a teacher’s reputation among the community and with children when you discuss educational matters with others.

 

In closing

Building healthy relationships with your child’s teacher doesn’t just happen. It takes goodwill from both sides, a commitment to setting aside the time necessary to support the home-based learning tasks that are expected, and a willingness to communicate concerns and commendations through the correct channels.

St Patrick's College Advisory Council - Identity Committee 

Council member, Mrs Jamey Poyaoan, Chair of the Identity Committee is seeking Expressions of Interest for parents who are interested in joining this committee.

 

The Committee reports to the College’s School Advisory Council. Its role is to guide and monitor the ongoing renewal of the College as an authentic Catholic School in the Edmund Rice tradition through the implementation of Edmund Rice Education Ltd (EREA) initiatives within the unique context and tradition of the St Patrick’s College, Strathfield community.

 

The Identity Committee:

  • Has a clear understanding of the Charter for Edmund Rice Education Australia
  • Is guided by the College Strategic Plan
  • Is familiar with the unique context and tradition of St Patrick’s College, Strathfield as a Catholic School in the Edmund Rice tradition.

The scope of the Identity is to:

  • Review College documentation, policies, and practice, as appropriate, to assure conformity with all aspects of the Charter
  • Monitor the formation opportunities for the College community
  • Consider other matters referred by the School Advisory Council or the Principal

It is a wonderful team that seeks to ensure that we never lose our authenticity as a Catholic school. 

In Memoriam

Please keep the Karazinov family in your prayers. Last Thursday, Levi Karazinov’s (6 White) father passed away after a battle with a serious illness. Levi’s cousins are also Old Boys of the College, Michael Vallelonga ('11) and Anthony Vallelonga ('13). Losing someone so young and far too soon is so difficult to bear so we want the family to know we are there to support and comfort them in these difficult hours. 

 

We keep Mr Tabbara (Mathematics Faculty) in our prayers whose father passed away over the weekend. May he rest in perpetual peace. We also pray for Mr Simone who is in hospital at present awaiting surgery. We all wish him a full and speedy recovery.

 

We pray for the family of Old Boy Matthew Mulhall ('01), who attended the College with his brothers Phillip ('98) and Adam ('96), sons of former St Patrick's College Maintenance Manager, Patrick Mulhall. Matthew tragically drowned when trying to save his wife Kathryn who also passed away. Matthew leaves behind his daughter Abigail, 13, and the couple’s two other children Gary, 10, and Amelia, 5. 

 

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. 

May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, 

through the mercy of God, rest in peace. 

 

Dr Vittoria Lavorato

Principal

 

SPC boys can do anything! 

**except divide by zero