2021 Term 1, Week 4 - 21 October 2021
MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL

MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL

This is a special edition of our College newsletter specifically designed to celebrate a few key events which have occurred since the end of Term 3. We are incredibly proud of our students and couldn’t wait until our normal newsletter drop in Week 3/4 to share these with our wider community. The Townsville Junior Eisteddfod, State Rowing Championships and the Year 12 Formal are all celebrated in this edition. 

I would like to acknowledge the mentorship offered by our expert teaching team and how much the staff go above and beyond to support our girls. Our teachers are more than exceptional educators – they champion the needs of our students. Three St Patrick’s College Townsville staff members have have been included in the prestigious 2021 QCT TEACHX Awards. Shortlisted from over 700 applicants, Ms Rheinberger and Ms Walkom have been named as finalists. Ms Finlay was also shortlisted in this year’s awards.

Ms Sue Rheinberger (Finalist – The Professor Betty Watts OBE Memorial Award for Outstanding Contribution to Teaching) and Ms Gayle Walkom (Finalists – The TUH Health Fund Dr Roger Hunter OBE Excellence in Beginning to Teach Award)

These three women inspire, challenge and influence our students daily. We are thrilled that they have been recognised and look forward to the final announcements set for the end of October. 

The celebrations will continue over the next seven weeks; Term 4 is jam-packed full of events. There are so many opportunities available for our girls and I look forward to celebrating their many successes in the upcoming Speech Night. 

 

Amber Hauff

COLLEGE PRINCIPAL

COLLEGE NEWS

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

 
SWIMMING – QLD SHORT COURSE CHAMPIONSHIPS
 
Congratulations to Year 7 Principalities student, Nala Iosefo, who recently competed at the Queensland Short Course championships in Brisbane. Nala won 4 medals in total: 2 silver and 2 bronze – Silver in 50m backstroke and 100m butterfly, Bronze in 50m butterfly and 50m breaststroke. 
 

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

 

 

 

DIRECTOR OF MISSION

DIRECTOR OF MISSION

CELEBRATING MERCY

At the end of Term 3, Fr Rod, Fr Siby and the Sisters of Mercy joined with the College to celebrate The Feast of Our Lady of Mercy. All teachers and students took part in House and Outreach activities. This year, we were able to support a variety of local organisations. These included The Women’s Centre, The Townsville Multicultural Support Group and St Vincent de Paul. We connected with Orange Sky Laundry, Mike Reynolds Early Childhood Centre and St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School. We also participated in a Strand clean up and a working bee at the church. Thanks to a donation from the P and F, we were able to purchase sausages and bread and put on a BBQ lunch. It was a huge success, and we were able to raise money for Mercy Works. Our celebrations finished with a dress up and concert. A huge thanks to all those who helped run activities, cooked lunch and performed.

Coming up on October the 16th, our Year 11s will be given the opportunity to take action in their community and brighten the lives of those needing a hand up at the St Patrick’s College Townsville Buddies Day. Students will work with Vinnies Youth to run activities and mentor children in need. We also have Eat Up sandwich making sessions coming up in weeks 3 and 6. You can sign up on the Extracurricular Tile to get involved.

 

TOGETHER WE PRAY

God of the immense universe,

God of each human heart,

We thank You and we praise You.

We are united by a spirit and a story

born in a house in Dublin,

now spread to the outer reaches of the earth

and the inner recesses of the heart.

As friends in mercy,

united in that spirit and story,

we commit ourselves to

preserving the best of the past,

fostering the best of the present,

and shaping the best for the future.

We pray in the name of Jesus,

with the help of Our Lady of Mercy,

and inspired by the life of Catherine McAuley.

Mercy be the name;

Mercy be the path;

Mercy at the heart.

Ever and ever. Amen.

 

 

Athena Costopoulos

DIRECTOR OF MISSION

DEPUTY PRINCIPAL – ACADEMIC

DEPUTY PRINCIPAL – ACADEMIC

Welcome back to Term 4.  It is always a fast paced term and a time for much celebration.  To prepare as best as possible, it is important that students are organised and ready for upcoming assessment. The College Assessment Calendar is a useful starting point for planning the remaining weeks of term. 

SPEECH NIGHT ACADEMIC AWARDS

During our College Assembly on Wednesday, 6 October, students receiving Academic Awards at the upcoming Speech Night were announced.  These awards recognise the academic achievements of our students including Merit, Distinction and High Distinction awards.  The assembly also included the announcement of Year 11 and 12 Subject Awards. 

Parents/guardians of award recipients were emailed details of the specific award their daughter is receiving, as well as details of the evening and booking tickets.  If you believe there is an error in the data calculations or haven’t received an email for award recipients, please contact the Studies Office.  Congratulations to our students on their achievements, I look forward to formalising this at the Speech Night.

YEAR 12

Year 12 students are in their final weeks of regular classes before entering Workshop Week and External Examinations.  Details regarding Workshop Week were emailed to parents/guardians and students and can be found on the Learning Hub.  The final version of the External Exam Timetable including specific rooming is also available on the Learning Hub as well as Directions for Students and Equipment List.

We wish our Year 12 students the best of luck in their final pieces of assessment and their external exams. 

Amy Byrnes

DEPUTY PRINCIPAL – ACADEMIC