This Week
School Fees
Term 1 school fee accounts were emailed out on 5 February 2020. The due date for payment is 19 February 2020 - unless you have a payment arrangement in place.
It is still possible to set up a direct debit payment scheme. The form can be obtained on REALM.
If you did not receive your account please contact Judy Kelly via email finance@stpatricks.qld.edu.au or jkelly@stpatricks.qld.edu.au
Thank you
Student Formation
From the Dean of Students - Moving to a New School
Moving to a New School
Moving to a new school is a big deal! Your child is going to meet lots of new people and be thrown into new situations. That’s bound to make them feel lots of different emotions. They may feel worried and anxious, but also excited and happy – all at the same time! It is considered to be one of the most important transition periods of a student’s life and can present some significant psychological challenges for both students and parents.
Making new friends, learning new routines, discovering new environments, accepting new cultures and adjusting to new learning practices is all part of the process. Some children will sail through this period of change, whilst others may need a bit more guidance. It is important to give your child the chance to feel comfortable in their new space. This may take a few months, but ensure you keep the lines of communication open and check in regularly with your child to see how they are settling in.
In this Special Report, parents and care givers will be presented with a number of strategies that can be deployed to help ensure a smooth transition. We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this Special Report, and as always, we welcome your feedback. If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please contact the College Counsellor or your son's House Dean.
Here is the link to your special report https://stpatricks.qld.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/moving-new-school
Fight the Good Fight
Mr Darren Kearney - Dean of Students
From the Dean of Students - Surviving the Final Year
Surviving the Final Year
It’s no secret that the end of school can be a huge source of anxiety for both students and parents alike. Studies have shown that over 40% of final year students suffer from high-level anxiety or stress, with some even suffering from depression. It is important to prepare a student’s brain for success. Studies show there is a clear link between students taking care of their health, and their overall productivity during the final year of school.
Understanding how best to support your child’s health and wellbeing during this time will help them perform at their best. The student brain has a lot going on, so understanding how it works will help them get the most out their brain power. Acknowledge that not all stress is bad. The art is in finding the right balance. Having the right amount of stress can encourage students to be at their optimal level of alertness, and improve behavioural and cognitive performance. It helps tune their brain and focus.
In this Special Report, parents and care givers will be presented with a number of strategies on how best to support their child during the final year at school. We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this Special Report, and as always, we welcome your feedback. If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please contact the College Counselor or your son's House Dean.
Here is the link to your special report https://stpatricks.qld.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/surviving-final-year
Fight the Good Fight!
Mr Darren Kearney - Dean of Students
From the Dean of Students - Making New Friends
Please find below a Parenting Ideas article on Making New Friends and Staying in Touch with Old Classmates
Community
Sandbag - Volunteers Wanted
