MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Welcome to Term 2

I hope everyone has enjoyed a reflective, restful and hope-filled Easter break connecting with family and friends. Holidays are so important as they provide our students with a break from the daily routine of schoolwork, allowing them to recharge and rejuvenate their minds. In fact, taking breaks and having time off from school can actually improve academic performance and it has been an absolute joy welcoming back everyone refreshed and ready to tackle their studies with renewed energy and focus.

Learning & Wellbeing Strategic Project Update

There are so many exciting activities and events happening this term, beginning with staff and students continuing the critical strategic design and development project work on the new College Learning and Wellbeing Framework. This is being done with the expert help of Summer Howarth from Eventful Learning Co. Summer works on national projects and initiatives to drive innovation and improvement in future focussed learning communities. This exciting work is part of our College further recognising the interconnectedness between a student’s mental, emotional, and physical health and their ability to learn effectively. It prioritises the need for a holistic approach to learning that prioritises the overall wellbeing of students, not just their academic performance.

The most exciting aspect of this work being undertaken, is that it is being co-designed by the teachers and students. This empowered and collaborative approach will not only help design a framework that will support greater connection and belonging, it will also create a common language and environment that can only lead to better academic outcomes, higher levels of engagement, and increased motivation to learn and grow.

Term 2 Events

Like Term 1, Term 2 is filled with exciting events and celebrations! Please see a quick rundown below:

Mother’s Day Breakfast, Friday 5 May
Interhouse Cross Country, Friday 12 May
Interhouse Athletics Carnival, Friday 12 June
Combined School’s Musical, Bugsy Malone – Tickets are on sale for 1, 2, 3 June at the Ticketshop
Camp/Retreat Week for Years 7 to 11 on 20, 21, 22 June
National Reconciliation Week Assembly, Thursday 29 June

Staffing Update

At the end of Term 2 we sadly farewelled Melissa Cowan, PA to the Deputy Principal – Academic and Karrin Dooley, PA to the Deputy Principal and we thank these incredible women for their dedication and passion in supporting innovation and improvement in systems and processes in our College. Carlie Pearce, HPE Teacher, also left the College to begin a new adventure elsewhere. We warmly welcomed back Amanda Scotney, who had worked in the Studies Office for a period of time in 2022 before relocating to Brisbane. We are thrilled she has returned to our community to carry out the role of PA to the Deputy Principal – Academic. Eileen White also joined our community as the PA to the Deputy Principal and we welcomed Marlyn Vause into a new role as School Officer – College Operations. We are also so excited to welcome back Tenille Hambly after some leave, to carry out a role as Teacher of HPE & Sport & Recreation in Term 2, before returning to her role as Head of Year 12 from Semester 2. Lorraine Kennedy is also helping out this term while Camille Flores is acting in the Head of Careers & Vocational Education role. We also sincerely thank Jess John, who carried out the role as Acting Head of Princes House in Term 1, and welcome back Jodie Roberts who was on leave.

ANZAC Day

ANZAC Day is a day of remembrance for the thousands of Australian and New Zealand soldiers who died during the Gallipoli campaign and other conflicts in which Australia has been involved. It is a time for Australians to reflect on the contribution of those who have served and continue to serve in the military, and to honour the sacrifices made by these men and women in the service of their country.

Last week, we gathered as a community to pause and to acknowledge and thank our servicemen and women in our ANZAC Day Liturgy. This deeply moving liturgy was organised, prepared and led by our Defence School Mentor Gayle Walkom, along with our Defence students, assisted by Elissa Andrews, our Dean of Faith & Mission and Chaplain, Rebecca Langford. WGCDR Naomi Gill was our Guest Speaker and delivered a powerful and reflective address to our community.

Our College also participated in the ANZAC Day Dawn Service and March on Tuesday, to further demonstrate our respect and appreciation. On behalf of our entire community, I would to acknowledge our Defence Force family members, who continue to serve our country with great, pride, courage and hope. We cannot thank you enough for your bravery, sacrifice, and commitment to our country.

College National Rowing Champions

At the end of Term 1, I was fortunate to be able to attend the 2023 Australian Rowing Championships in Perth, where Sarah Bourke (Year 12) and Lily Bragg (Year 11) competed in a range of events in very challenging weather conditions. We continue to be so proud of these incredible young women, who proudly represented St Patrick’s College Townsville with a Bronze Medal in the U19 Women’s Double Scull event, also achieving notable results in their individual events. In their composite events, where they were part of quad and eight crews, these girls demonstrated further grit and determination and were awarded a Silver Medal in the U19 Women’s Eight.

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 2023 Rowing Season!

What makes our community so unique is how we celebrate and support one another 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 chosen field/passion.

What an empowering community to be a part of!

Amber Hauff

COLLEGE PRINCIPAL