MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL

I hope everyone has enjoyed a reflective, restful and hope-filled Easter break connecting with family and friends.

This term we have a number of staff members who have been appointed to internal promotional positions. Ms Susan Wilkinson has begun in her new role as Executive Assistant to the Principal. I am so thrilled to be working closely with Susan again. Her knowledge, expertise and professionalism are exceptional and she has already hit the ground running streamlining and improving administrative and HR systems and processes in the College. Susan will also be administratively supporting Zak Plumridge, Director of Business Operations in his role as Company Secretary on our Board of Governance.

With Susan’s internal promotion, Karrin Dooley, who has been our much-loved Student Services Officer has been appointed to the role of Personal Assistant to the Deputy Principal. Karrin’s in-depth knowledge and genuine love for of our College will be invaluable as she supports Cameran Triffett in carrying out his role as the College Deputy Principal. We are so excited for Karrin and congratulate her on this promotional opportunity.

This week, Vicki Moloney joined our College community as our new School Officer – Student Services, bringing with her many years of experience working in the independent Catholic sector. She is very excited to have the opportunity to work as a key member of our College Pastoral Team. She is also looking forward to getting to know our students and their families and I know everyone will certainly make her feel very welcome.

Tahia Galvin joins us this term as a part-time teacher of senior Religion & Ethics. Tahia is a very experienced teacher, with a vast and interesting background also working in the VET sector. Tahia is looking forward to inspiring our students to learn and grow.

We also welcome Greg Hamblin, who joins us a casual bus driver. Greg is also a professional photographer and enjoys volunteering and connecting with various groups in the Townsville community.

CONSTRUCTION BEGINS – STEM LEARNING HUB

Over the break, our College was able to finalise everything to enable construction to get underway on another exciting building project. The STEM Learning Hub has been expertly designed by m3architecture and will be constructed by well-renowned Hutchinson Builders Townsville. I am so excited to be working with Hutchinson Builders again to create yet another place where our students and teachers will be empowered to be curious, visionary and imaginative. Every aspect of this new integrated learning facility has been meticulously planned by the award-winning team at m3architecture, a company renowned for designing extraordinary and beautifully designed spaces.

The 4-storey building will provide 11 contemporary learning and innovation spaces to excite and inspire the STEM leaders of the future. Featuring Marine Science, Biology, Physics and Chemistry laboratories, flexible learnings areas, an Arts courtyard and an academic hub, the contemporary spaces will blend seamlessly and link with our existing academic buildings facilities to accommodate the continued enrolment growth at the College. Our growing academic teaching team will also have new work and meeting spaces. More details about this exciting building project, including a virtual flythrough, can be found on our College Website and regular updates will be provided throughout the construction period.

ANZAC DAY LITURGY

On Thursday 22 April, we gathered as a community to pause, to acknowledge and thank our servicemen and women in our ANZAC Day Liturgy. Led by Elissa Andrews, our Dean of Faith & Mission and Gayle Walkom, Defence School Mentor, and attended by our staff, students and Defence families, it was a wonderful and deeply moving liturgy. FLTLT Todd Skipper was our Guest Speaker and delivered a powerful address to our community. Many of our students are engaged in Cadet programs and were proud to assist in the event. Our College is also participating in the ANZAC Day Strand March on Monday, to further show our respect and appreciation. On behalf of our entire community, I would to acknowledge and thank our Defence Force family members, who continue to serve our country with great, pride, courage and hope.

NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

At the end of Term 1, I was fortunate to be able to attend the 2022 Australian Rowing Championships in Lake Nagambie, regional Victoria, where Sarah Bourke, Lily Bragg and Ella D’Mello represented our College, competing in a range of events in very challenging weather conditions.

We are so proud of these incredible young women who certainly turned some heads and have put St Patrick’s College Townsville on the map so to speak for competitive rowing, Sarah and  Lily taking out the Gold Medal win in the U17 Women’s Double Scull event and also achieving national placings in their individual events. In their composite quad event, coxed by Ella, these girls demonstrated further grit and determination.

Harrison Parks, Head Coach of the Combined (SPCT, IPC & SMMC) Rowing Program is commended on his leadership and mentorship of these athletes. Supported by Hayley Neilsen-Burke, SPCT Coach, we can only dare to imagine their future at this level. Bring on the 2022 Rowing Season!

Over the Easter Weekend, Nala Iosefo (Year 8), Hayley (Year 10) & Maddison Andrejic (Year 9) representing the Townsville Garden’s Swimming Club, competed in the 2022 Australian Age Championships in Adelaide. Nala took out two Gold Medals in the 13 yrs 100m Butterfly and 200m Butterfly events. Hayley & Maddison also performed incredibly well, achieving PB results.

Competing at a National level deserves significant recognition and I would like to take this opportunity remind these girls that they are incredible role models for so many in our community and beyond and have done themselves, their coaches, their families and their College community proud. We are blessed to be inspired by their dedication and commitment to their pursuits and look forward to helping them dare to imagine their future on the world stage.

THE PERCIVALS 

Last term, we shared the wonderful news that our Arts & Exhibitions Prefect, Chloe Turner’s artwork, She is the Movement had been admitted in North Queensland’s most significant portraiture competition, The Percivals. A multi-disciplined artist, Chloe’s portrait was produced using oils. She wanted the piece to represent the strength and beauty of our diverse cultures, whilst empowering minorities to express their voices in the future. It is a stunning artwork, but is particularly arresting viewed in person. 

A livestream will occur on Saturday, 23 April and will be exhibiting until 3 July 2022 at the Perc Tucker Regional Gallery, Townsville City – Corner of Denham and Flinders Street. Visit the website for more information – https://www.townsville.qld.gov.au/per…

What makes our community so unique is how we celebrate and support each other to grow and flourish and I continue to be inspired by the incredible talent and passion of our staff and student body, across all dimensions of the College, academic, public speaking, music, dance, performing arts, visual arts and sport who demonstrate an unwavering commitment to personal excellence in their field/passion.

What an incredible community to be a part of!

May God bless you and your families.

Amber Hauff

COLLEGE PRINCIPAL