FROM THE COLLEGE PRINCIPAL

As Term 3 draws to a close, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to every member of the St Patrick’s College Townsville community. It has been a wonderful term, full of memorable events, achievements, and opportunities for growth, not least of which came with the celebration of Mercy Day.

Timed to commemorate Catherine McAuley’s founding of the first House of Mercy in Dublin, Ireland, in 1827, September 24 is an occasion of celebration across Mercy schools world-wide. Wednesday was especially significant since it coincides with 120 years of the Sisters of Mercy in Townsville. Thousands of young women have come through the gates of St Patrick’s College Townsville over these years, gifted with an education that was not just transformative for self, but intended to uplift and transform opportunities for others. Our Mercy Mass provided us with a formal opportunity to give thanks for the contribution of the Sisters of Mercy, in particularly Sister Helen Mary Peters RSM, whose tenure as Board Chair ended in July this year, marking an end to the Sisters’ formal connection with the College, in an active, ongoing capacity. We remain particularly grateful for the attendance of Sister Helen Mary Peters, Sister Marie Melville, Sister Carmel Ruddick and Sister Catherine Cuddihy at our celebration, along with other invited special guests, including Bishop Tim Harris, and representatives from Mercy Partners. I also wish to acknowledge the work of our Dean of Faith and Mission, Ms Elissa Andrews, in her organisation of this, and other events.

This week we also celebrated the transferral of leadership responsibilities from our Year 12s to our Year 11s. Rituals like ‘Passing of the Light’ are important rites of passage that signify the beginning of the end of Year 12, and an invitation for our Year 11s to more formal leadership positions at the College. I take this opportunity to acknowledge our Year 12 leaders and cohort and wish them well for their ongoing preparations for their examinations. Students who wish to do some External Assessment (EA) preparatory work after a period of rejuvenation, are encouraged to go to the QCAA website Senior Subjects tab. By clicking on the syllabus pertinent to their subject allocations, and then the ‘resources’ section, they can find past papers, marking guides and sample responses. This will give them a better understanding of EA success criteria. Parents wanting any information about the External Assessment program or protocols, may click here: https://www.qcaa.qld.edu.au/senior/assessment/external-assessment. I also take this opportunity to formally congratulate each of our Year 11 leaders. I very much look forward to working with you more closely in the future.

While the formal curriculum program of the College comes to a pause, the business of the College does not stop. As ever, students are engaged in myriad extra-curricular pursuits over the holiday period. Fifteen students and 2 staff members will participate in a World Challenge Event, that will see them undertake a substantial trek in Vietnam. The aim of immersion activities such as this is to build intercultural understanding and resilience. I thank all of the students who put themselves forward for this significant undertaking, and Ms Rosie Maguire and Ms Camille Flores who will accompany them. We look forward to hearing the stories upon their return.

Well wishes are also extended to our students representing the College at the Queensland Schools’ Championship Rowing Regatta. I wish them, and their coaches, in particular Mr Harrison Parks, great success.

I looking forward to welcoming everyone back for Term 4, refreshed and ready for new opportunities. Until then, may God’s blessings be with all members of the St Patrick’s College Townsville community.

Kath Little

COLLEGE PRINCIPAL