COLLEGE NEWS & NOTICES

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT EVENTS IN TERM TWO

After years of COVID-19 restrictions we are very excited to now be able to offer a number of College community engagement events during this term, including:

Mother’s Day Breakfast – East Precinct Auditorium, Friday 6 May

“Here’s to strong women. May we know them, may we raise them, may we be them.”

Mother. Aunt. Grandmother. Cousin. Godmother. Teacher. Beloved family friend. These are the important women who care for our girls and who help them on the path to adulthood. We look forward to celebrating with the important women in our students’ lives on Friday, 6 May. Held in the East Precinct auditorium, breakfast will begin at 7.00am.

Due to limited places, and to allow as many of our College families to be part of this special breakfast, we respectfully ask that there is only one guest per student. 

Trybooking link: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing?eid=893865&

RSVP: Tuesday, 26 April.

Trivia Night – East Precinct Auditorium, Friday 13 May

“History will be kind to me for I intend to write it.” (Winston Churchill)

A night for Parents/Guardians, Staff and Friends, it’s time to gather your smartest friends and make a table for our annual Trivia Night. 

Tables will play for a nominated charity. At the end of the night, any money raised will be shared to the charities of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners.

• Bookings: $80.00 per table (no single bookings are available. Table bookings are for a maximum of eight attendees).
• Entry:  Auditorium is via Fryer Street, North Ward. 
• Bar:  NO BYO – tap bar will be available on the night.
• Food:  BYO food OR order a delicious Essentially Fresh platter when booking your table. See our website for the menu options.

The theme for 2022 tables is “History” to coincide with the College’s History Week. Not only do we want you to come in costume, but feel free to decorate your tables by bringing along extras to compliment your Historical moment, character or era. If you’re struggling for inspiration, here’s a few ideas:

• Historical Moments: The Moon landing; The fall of the Berlin Wall; Woodstock Music Festival; The invention of MTV; The Salem Witch Trials
• Historical characters: Henry VIII; Amelia Earhart; Andy Warhol; Cleopatra; Lewis Carroll; Jane Goodall; Julius Caesar; Joan of Arc.
• Historical eras: Middle Ages/Medieval; Ancient Rome or Greece; The Roaring 20s; Wild West

Prizes for those teams and tables who really look the part.

Trybooking link: https://www.trybooking.com/BYWLL

RSVP: By 9.00am, 5 May (if not sold out sooner).

Brisbane Alumni –  Lunch at Tattersalls Club in Brisbane, Saturday 28 May

“Celebrating the bonds of Sisterhood”

We are delighted to facilitate the Brisbane Branch Alumni of St Patrick’s College Townville and – after a postponement due to COVID-19 – look forward to holding a leisurely lunch at Tattersalls Club in May.

We have timed the event to follow an 11.30am service at the Cathedral of St Stephen (249 Elizabeth Street, Brisbane City). The guest speaker will be our College Principal, Amber Hauff. Also in attendance will be Joanna Pacey, College Registrar.

Trybooking link: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing?eid=749828&

RSVP: Monday, 9 May

Details of more 2022 Alumni Events can be found on our website: https://www.stpatscollege.qld.edu.au/alumni/alumni-events/

Beauty & the Beast – Combined Schools’ Musical, Townsville Civic Theatre 2-4 June

“Break the Spell”

As punishment for his actions, a young prince is transformed into a monstrous Beast by a mysterious enchantress. The only way to break the spell is if he can learn to love someone and earn their love in return. The intelligent and independent Belle stumbles upon the castle and is taken prisoner by the Beast while rescuing her father. With help from the Beast’s servants, Belle comes to appreciate and love the Beast all while evading the vain, cruel Gaston who has decided to make Belle his wife.

Over 100 students from across the three Colleges of St Patrick’s College Townsville, St Margaret Mary’s College and Ignatius Park College, have been hard at work since the start of this year. Working under Guest Director, Arminelle Fleming, and superbly supported by our ARTS expert teaching team, the students are starting to see the show take shape. Thank you to Ms Butler and Mr Goulter for championing this performing arts opportunity and for their departmental staff for their optimism and dedication. 

The cast and crew will move to the Townsville Civic Theatre at the end end of May for final rehearsals. While it will be a very busy time, the opportunity to work with the professional technical staff at TCT will be hugely rewarding. The show will play four performances and there’s no better way to support our young singers, dancers, actors and musicians than to purchase a ticket. 

SHOW DATES: Thursday 2, Friday 3 and Saturday 4 June.

Ticketshop link: https://bit.ly/3EwlIV6

COVID-19 Update

I would like to thank everyone in our community for their ongoing support and understanding as we continue to navigate the current COVID-19 situation. I am grateful for the way all members of our community have continued to follow the guidelines, which do rely on people staying at home if they are displaying any flu-like symptoms, and following the testing and isolation advice of Queensland Health. We are all able to reduce the spread of infection, such as maintaining good personal health and hygiene at all times and practicing physical distancing where appropriate.

Our College continues to work closely with relevant health authorities and to follow all Government advice pertaining to COVID-19, implementing best practice measures, in line with the guidelines, to effectively assess and manage risk.  I will provide communication, should any significant COVID-19 issues or changes come to light. At this stage, the latest update was in regards to some changes to the close contact guidelines for positive cases, in the 12 weeks following the isolation period. Please find a link to these guidelines on the Queensland Government website.

Learning remains the priority and we understand that your daughter may find she is required to isolate at home under the current guidelines. Should your daughter be at home isolating; she can continue to use the Learning Hub to keep up to date with class work if she feels well enough to do so.

In accordance with our Mercy mission, values, and ethos of our College, we remain committed to supporting everyone in our community. I acknowledge the difficult circumstances many families may find themselves in and encourage you to contact the College if you need our support.

Thanks again and may God bless our College community for the term ahead.

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