St Patrick’s Primary believes that every child has the right to feel safe and cared for at school. As a community we are focused on being safe, respectful learners.
All individuals within our school are valued and treated with dignity and respect. Students are encouraged to behave in ways that reflect our Catholic gospel values, showing compassion and kindness for one another. St Patrick's Primary encourages a safe, protective and just school.
We are a Positive Behaviour Support for Learning (PBS4L) school. This means we follow a whole-school framework that promotes positive behaviour and helps develop a safe and supportive learning environment.We make sure all students are explicitly taught the expected behaviours and establish clear and consistent boundaries. Staff take a proactive, preventative approach to ensure all students receive the appropriate level of support to help them to be successful at school. Student outcomes are monitored so identified students can receive additional support when needed.
A dedicated and hard-working Diversity team liaises closely with class teachers to identify and support children with learning needs. The Diversity team provides in-class support as well as small group and individual instruction. The learning needs of all children who receive Commonwealth funding are met through individual plans, and these children are closely monitored.
In order to create a smoother transition for Kindergarten students, we hold an Orientation Day which involves a series of activities to gauge student readiness for school. As a result of this, any students needing greater assistance the following year are invited to attend a Transition program which runs a day a week for two weeks. This program consists of specific learning activities focused on occupational therapy and language deficiencies. At the other end of the school journey, we assist our Year 6 students preparing for high school with visits by their high school principal and Year 7 coordinator throughout the year.
St Patrick's Primary School has a strong stance against bullying and immediate action is taken to resolve any reported incidents of bullying. Our Student Management policy was created in consultation with staff, students and parents and includes a Code of Conduct. Students are rewarded for positive behaviours at a weekly school assembly and grades accumulate gems for whole grade rewards. The school Student Management policy is based on the principles of natural justice and procedural fairness.
St Patrick’s is committed to keeping our students safe at school and we adhere to the National Catholic Safeguarding Standards and support the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations. A range of checks and undertakings are required for people who work for or provide services to the college. These checks reduce potential risk and form part of the Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese (CSPD) strategy to build child safe communities.