COLLEGE NEWS
TOWNSVILLE EISTEDDFOD – MUSIC
At the end of Term 3, the Townsville Eisteddfod commenced for the first time since 2019. Our music tutors expertly prepared their ensembles throughout Terms 2 and 3 to compete with schools across Townsville. The String Ensemble started our trophy haul by placing 3rd in the mixed ensemble division with an exciting performance of a range of themes from the Pirates of the Caribbean film series. Taiko came in 2nd in the percussion section with an fiery performance of Wa 和 and Sanko 山行. The combined Junior and Senior Choirs came away with a Highly Commended for their Modern Part-work performance of Girl Just Want to Have Fun, a 3nd place for their Folk performance of Shenandoah, and received 1st in the much coveted Choral Championship!
We also had a number of students perform individually. Amelia Betcher came away with three 1st placings and four 2nd placings in her singing divisions. Chloe Dickinson came in 2nd for her vocal section. Emma Watts received a 3rd placing for her solo guitar performance. We are very proud of all students – Bridget Baxter, Elizabeth Ferjola Salmon, Chloe Ferrara, Ruby Rae Hicks, Georgia Frakes, Aria Bennet, Meg Burbidge, Eliza Betteridge and Beth Carroll – who prepared musical items for performance at the Eisteddfod.
Dancers, musicians and actors. So many of our St Patrick’s College Townsville students participated in this year’s Townsville Junior Eisteddfod. Congratulations to all.
I would like to thank thank our instrumental tutors and ensembles leaders, Rachel Cairns, Paul Neilson, Georgia Martel, Rike Wolf, James Jellyman for their work in preparing the Ensembles for this year’s Eisteddfod.
STATE HONOURS ENSEMBLE PROGRAM (SHEP)
Three of our instrumental students selected to attend the State Honours Ensemble Program (SHEP) down in Brisbane during the holidays. Unfortunately, as Chloe, Beth and Emma were preparing to begin their first day when new COVID lockdowns came into place. While this was disappointing, the students will still have a chance to rehearse and perform with other musicians from around the state later in the year.
Mr John Goulter
Head of Department – Music & Performance. E: jgoulter@stpatscollege.qld.edu.au
TOWNSVILLE EISTEDDFOD – THE DANCE TROUPE
There was a lot to celebrate in the Arts over the holidays, with many St Patrick’s College Townsvile students competing in the Eisteddfod. Congratulations must be extended to all those students who represented the college, both individually or in groups. The junior College Dance Troupe were among those who were able to take the stage in the Secondary School Dance section on Sunday 19th August. This foundation group was made up of students from Years 7-9 and many had never performed before. With beautiful costumes and hair and makeup by Ms Hudson, the girls felt very special and were proud to represent the College. We certainly look forward to seeing them perform together again.
YEAR 10 DRAMA
The Year 10 Drama Students spent the last week of Term 4 doing some incredible work on the Arthur Miller classic, The Crucible. These girls delivered a performance that was intelligent and mature, with a strong understanding of the McCarthyism that surrounded the playwright’s day, and how that is echoed in today’s society. With so many outstanding actors working well above Year 10 standard, their performance was certainly something to celebrate.
THEATREiNQ’s CULTURE CLUB
Aimed at students from grades 10 -12 who are passionate about the Arts, TheatreiNQ’s Culture Club is the brainchild of Artistic Director, Terri Brabon. This year, Year 10 students, Emer Friel, Aiva Tyrie and Ava Saldana-Lopez were able to further develop their skills in a practical, professional environment. Challenged in masterclasses with instructors from NIDA and WAAPA, as well as TheatreiNQ’s resident acting team, Cultural Club 2021 has wrapped up for the year and according to Ms Brabon, “The future of theatre in Townsville looks bright.” Students who are interested in being nominated for next year’s program should speak to Ms Kelly.
Ms Alyssa Kelly
Head of Department – Dramatic Arts & Performance. E: akelly@stpatscollege.qld.edu.au
HOSPITALITY
The Year 12 students finished the unit fittingly titled, ‘Celebrations’, with some baking and cake decorating. There was a range of chocolate, vanilla and red velvet cakes, which they expertly iced. The girls used a range of piping techniques and decorations to make their delicious creations.
It has been a pleasure teaching the girls the basics of the Hospitality Industry and I wish them all the best for the future.
Ms Camille Flores
Head of Department – Hospitality & Events. E: cflores@stpatscollege.qld.edu.au
ROWING – QLD SCHOOL STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
On the September holidays, 14 members of our College rowing squad travelled to Rockhampton to compete in the QLD School State Championships. This event was majorly contested and competitor numbers were at an all time high after the event was cancelled in 2020.
This was a special year for our squad as we had a record number of girls representing the college, and historically won our first ever medals at a State Championships with three Gold Medals.
- Gold Year 10 Single- Sarah Bourke
- Gold Year 10 Double- Sarah Bourke, Lily Bragg
- Gold Year 9 Single- Lily Bragg
Our girls showed fantastic spirit and commitment to competition throughout the weekend, and all of our rowers achieved fantastic results, qualifying for semi-finals and finals in all boat classes. This is the first year our squad has had more than one crew racing and to have three Quad Sculls racing at a State Championships is quite special, with two year 8 quads and a year 10 quad.
We hope that this success is just the beginning for St Patrick’s College Townsville rowing and hope to have many students join the team in 2022 and beyond. It has been a privilege to work with all the students this year, and thank them for their passion, dedication and positive role-modeling through the season.
Mr Harrison Parks
Teacher & Head Rowing Coach. E: hparks@stpatscollege.qld.edu.au
Nala is determined to pursue her dream to compete at the 2024 Olympics in France. We celebrate this fierce and dedicated athlete. Congratulations, Nala! #daretochallenge
YEAR 12 FORMAL
Talking about celebrations – well what a celebration our Year 12 students have just enjoyed. Our seniors attended their eagerly-awaited Formal on Wednesday evening at The Ville. The students arrived in spectacular style on the red carpet at the Palm Lawns, before attending a poolside Welcome Function with their families. This gorgeous outdoor event was followed by an elegant Formal Dinner in the Pavilion rooms.
The evening was a huge success and much enjoyed by all who attended. Our ladies looked stunning and thoroughly enjoyed this very special right of passage. Thank you to everyone who contributed to making this beautiful celebration the success that it was.
Mrs Tenille Hambly
Head of Year 12. E: thambly@stpatscollege.qld.edu.au
(for more photographs of our Year 12 Formal, including arrivals, please see our Facebook and Instagram pages)
LIBRARY
Each day I enter the library I celebrate the privilege of many things, especially, an incredible workplace where I get to share my love of reading with our wonderful students who are fortunate to have access to an array of shelves with many stories to tell. With every fibre of our being, celebration is something that connects us in a world of disconnect.
Term 3 is always a month of celebration in Libraries, Book Week is the time we focus on all things literary and celebrate our favourite authors and books. This year dressing the library was a celebration of creativity and imagination, turning the library into Aladdin’s Den to the surprise and joy of the community has set the bar high for every year from now on. Next year’s theme of ‘Dreaming with eyes open’ is an exciting theme and discussions are already underway for next year’s celebrations.
In Term 4 we will be celebrating all things Christmas, starting with our tradition of creating ornaments from disused books, led by senior students at lunch time. The term also has a creative competition for those budding media professionals to create a “Book Bento Box”. This is a visual representation of celebrating your favourite book. Details will be announced this week, with a myriad of examples to whet your appetite. Some examples have been included here to stir your imagination.
Congratulations to Ayanna O’Connell on winning Term 3’s competition “Guess the shredded book”. Her correct answer was Bend it Like Beckham. For all those concerned about the book, it was from our damaged collection and a much better outcome than it going to landfill! I look forward to sharing our top Book Bento Boxes with you!
(A few “Book Bento Boxes to stir your imagination – “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking Glass” and “The Secret Garden”)
ART EXHIBITION – ILLUMINATE
We are also thrilled to be hosting the “Dare to Amaze – Illuminate” artworks collection in the library. This features various pieces from the Years 11 and 12 Visual Arts students. Thank you to Ms Walsh for collating this gorgeous exhibition.
Ms Marie Jerome
COLLEGE LIBRARIAN. E: mjerome@stpatscollege.qld.edu.au
