Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Semester One reports will be published for parents and carers on Friday 28 June. 

As you may be aware, the NSW Educational Standards Authority (NESA) have undertaken a comprehensive review of the NSW Curriculum, leading to curriculum reform and subsequent implementation of a reformed curriculum which commenced in 2023. In response to the curriculum changes, Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong has made significant modifications to student semester reports for Primary schools to better reflect your child's academic progress at key points throughout the year and provide parents and carers with a clear picture of their child’s strengths and areas for improvement in specific subject areas.

The following changes will be evident in your child’s semester report from Semester 1 2024: 

• A ‘new look’ report format released via Compass reflecting the outcomes of the new K-10 English and Mathematics syllabuses providing a descriptor for each of the focus areas found in the respective syllabuses
• There will be no general comment in Semester 1 reports. This was a diocesan decision and is consistent across all CEDoW schools. 
• All Kindergarten students will now receive a written report in Semester 1 and Semester 2 with a three-point grade scale used to report student achievement using the following performance descriptors:
• Thorough
• Sound 
• Basic
• Students in Year 1 - Year 6 will continue to receive semester reports twice a year with a five-point grade scale used to report student achievement using the following performance descriptors: 
• Extensive
• Thorough
• Sound
• Basic
• Elementary 

We look forward to this positive shift in our reporting system and appreciate your continued support in your child's educational journey.

This year our staff have been engaging in professional learning linked to our Annual Improvement goal.

"Through the use of high quality assessment in mathematics students are appropriately challenged and engaged in their learning."

The staff have been engaging with Mark Boss (Catholic Education Office ILW team - Mathematics) regarding  professional learning about assessment. Mark had based much of his work on Jim Tognolini's research into assessment and standards. This professional learning has seen teachers not only deep dive into the new English and Mathematics curriculum but also sharply focus on formative assessment, Working Mathematically and designing rubrics to better assess in this area and provide students with valuable feedback.

I have officically wrapped up Kindergarten interviews for 2024. It has been a pleasure to meet so many families who wish a Catholic Education for their child. Families can expect to hear about their enrollment status at St Patrick's during Week 9 this term. Something that I hear often from parents is what a good name St Patrick's has in the local community. I feel blessed to lead such a wonderful school community, with dedicated teachers, engaged students who treat each other with kindness and compassion and supportive parents and carers. It is a privilege and repsonsibility upon us all to keep the culture and spirit of St Patrick's alive and well.

After some valuable feedback from our parent community, I have provided here calendar dates for the remainder of 2024. I hope that this better allows families to forward plan for the year. Please note there may be events or activites that spring up during the remainder of the year and if this is the case we will communicate this through COMPASS.

I'd like to wish you all a safe and enjoyable long weekend. My hope is the weather clears up for us all to spend some quality time with family and friends.

Kind regards

Mr Mitchell Elks
Principal