School News & Gallery 

PAT Assessments

Recently, all students in Years 1-6 completed the online Progressive Achievement Tests (PAT) in Reading and Maths.  The assessment results give teachers objective information about each students’ knowledge across key learning areas, which in turn informs individual learning goals and guides next steps in teaching.  The PAT Assessments provide teachers with a snapshot of learning at a particular point in time and are just one of many tools used by teachers to assess and monitor student growth throughout the year.

Armidale Diocesan Mathematics Initiative -MaST

Stage 1 Math  - Our Stage 1 students have been studying Mass in mathematics.

Mass and weight are different as weight is a force created from the gravitational attraction to the Earth's centre. Weight is the force acting on an object, weight can change depending on the gravitational force, for example you would weigh less on the moon as the gravity is weaker there, however your mass remains the same.

At home - 

⚖ Ask your child to look around at home and find objects that they would describe as being light. Once they have a collection of "lights" you could ask them to find objects that they would describe as heavy. 

⚖ Discuss the mass of items from your shopping as you put them away. Ask “Is this tin of tuna lighter or heavier than this bag of sugar?” Use words that describe the mass of objects when you are engaging in daily family activities, e.g. “Your school bag is heavy today because you have that heavy book in it."

⚖ Measure the weights of ingredients with your children when baking.

LIVING WELL LEARNING WELL

Every day at school the expectations are -

• I am safe
• I am valued
• I am a learner

“We believe there must be a universal and unconditional positive regard for children and young people, and a high regard for the collective capacity of a school staff team to increase learning, wellbeing and life-opportunity outcomes for children and young people.”

I am VALUED, RESPECTED and CARED FOR at St Patrick's School.

Under the umbrella of this focus in our Living Well Learning Well Framework we focus on the following:

● Attend school (be part of the team). It is important that students attend school every day unless ill. Time lost in learning cannot be replaced.

● Be friendly (greet people). It is always lovely to see our students talk to special visitors in our school and to show them a welcoming conversation.

● Be positive - it’s catching. Happy children share fun and laughter with each other. It is infectious!

● Take time out when you need to settle. Students are asked to self regulate their behaviour. Student voice allows them to share their need for a break from a situation they find uncomfortable. Some students also need to settle after playground play and ‘exciting’ activities to return to being a learner in the classroom.

● Choose words and tone that are right for good conversations. Children should not hear ‘bad’ language. If your child swears at home we ask that you clearly explain to them that that is unacceptable and not for school conversations!

● Be a good listener. It is important for children to show their friends that they care about what they are saying. The best way to do this is to stop and listen to their friends and give them their time to do this.

● Care for our resources, belongings and wellbeing. Respecting our equipment, valuing what is given to us and caring for it are all important understandings for our children. Children also need to be aware that the way they treat others affects their wellbeing (theirs and their friends).

● Be a helper and a problem solver. It is wonderful to watch students show their initiative! Doing for others as you would want done for you is fundamental to our Religious Education. In the early years, children are taught to be problem solvers - it is rewarding to see our older students just manage this skill.

Education is a partnership between home and school. 

Manners Matter

Good manners matter!

We expect our children to 

• Reach our full learning potential in a safe and supportive environment (Work hard)
• Be treated with respect, courtesy and kindness (Be kind)
• Be an active part of, and contribute positively to our community (Join in).

Contacting Your Child's Teacher

Teachers welcome contact from parents, if you would like to talk with staff please either contact the class teacher by phoning the school – 67772328 or email the school on spwadmin@arm.catholic.edu.au

Remember We are all part of the Schools Brand!