A MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Welcome to Term Two, where we continue our journey of living and learning with courage and heart. As we move forward into the next phase of the school year, I am delighted to share these exciting updates with you all.

First and foremost, I extend a warm welcome to some new additions to our College community.  Dr Grace Jefferson joins us as Mathematics teacher, bringing with her a wealth of experience and passion. Grace has a PhD in Mathematics and has taught and lectured in Victoria and Queensland since 2010. Additionally, Ms Ashley Webb joins us as part-time Library Assistant. Ashley comes to us from Mount Isa City Library and brings with her, along with much experience of library processes, a joyful love for reading. We are also pleased to welcome Estelle Poots as a contract Teacher for this Term, adding further depth to our teaching team.

I am also excited to announce several staff members who have stepped into acting positions for the remainder of 2024. Ms Tenille Hambly has taken on the role of Acting Dean of Wellbeing, Mr McKye Turner as Acting Head of Year 12, and Ms Aimee Strickland as Acting Head of House – Principalities. I extend my congratulations to these individuals for their dedication to serving our College in these leadership capacities.

I am also delighted to share that Ms Karen Hyne will be filling the role of Library Coordinator for Term Two. With her experience and dedication, I am confident that our library will continue to be a hub of learning and exploration under her leadership.

In other news, I am very grateful to the College Board for approving my long-service leave from 7 May to 31 May. During my absence, Mr Cameran Triffett will assume the role as Acting College Principal. Alongside Cameran, Ms Amy Byrnes will serve as Acting College Deputy Principal, and Mr Chris Pacey will step into the role of Acting Deputy Principal – Academic. This is a wonderful promotional opportunity for these staff members, deepening their understanding and broadening their professional experience.

For any queries or concerns during this period, please feel free to reach out to Cameran, Amy, or Chris using their existing contact details. My email and work phone will be redirected to ensure seamless communication during my absence. Thank you, as always, for your support of our College community.

Amber Hauff

COLLEGE PRINCIPAL

FROM THE BOARD CHAIR

The first quarter of 2024 has proven to be a busy time for the Board Directors as we set about to review and update our knowledge regarding Risk Management within our organization. In February the Board engaged Independent Schools Queensland [ISQ] to conduct a training session to enable Directors to refresh their understanding of the many and varied elements of Risk Management as applied to College life. This was followed by an examination of our Risk Management Strategy and associated documents facilitated once again by ISQ personnel. We were pleased to have our documents affirmed in general, and we identified areas that needed updating, and other aspects that could be added or made more explicit.

The time has come for us to bid farewell to Ms Maria Larkin who completes her term of appointment at the end of April.  Maria has served us well over the past three years as the Chair of the Finance, Audit and Risk Management Committee. The Board has been blessed with her financial understanding and competence, her calm presence and good humour and her commitment to the role.  She leaves with our deepest appreciation and we wish her well in whatever the future brings.

We welcome Mr Ian Bowrey, who will take on the role of Chair of the Finance, Audit and Risk Management Committee – a committee on which he has served for the past eighteen months. Ian comes to us from his current position as Chief Financial Officer and a member of the Advisory Board of the Fit for Life Financial Group. He is highly credentialled in his field and has sound governance credentials.  In addition Ian brings with him experience and skills in strategic planning, technology and business management.  We look forward to Ian joining us on the Board on May 1^st.

In the meantime let us hold each other in prayer and support each other as we work continuously to enhance this wonderful enterprise we call St Patrick’s College.

Sister Helen Peters

BOARD CHAIR

FROM THE DEPUTY PRINCIPAL

Parent/guardian Engagement 

Research shows that family expectations and aspirations have a substantial impact on student outcomes in the secondary schooling years. Family-led, home-based aspects of parent/guardian engagement, such as providing a general atmosphere and environment for learning, have more impact than parents/guardians having direct involvement in the content of young people’s schoolwork. We understand that families are busy and the majority of both parents/guardians work full time and have various commitments to balance. However, effective and positive parent/guardian engagement is still possible without physically being able to help out at events.

Parents/guardians are strongly encouraged to take a genuine and close interest in the work of the College and engage as partners in their child’s learning. We encourage our parents/guardians to keep open lines of communication with Heads of House/Heads of Year and subject teachers about their child’s learning and wellbeing seeking to understand how they can best support the healthy development of their child’s academic progress, resilience and confidence.

Our College ethos, values and expectations for both students and staff are firmly centred on respect for oneself, for peers and for College property. In keeping with this theme, we also welcome, encourage and expect that respectful and caring relationships are reflected in the ways in which staff, students and parents/guardians interact with one another and in the language they use in both formal and informal settings.

We pride ourselves on being a College that is highly responsive and open to feedback and respectful communication surrounding ways we can improve the learning experience and outcomes for young people. If you do have suggestions or skills/resources that can assist the College, we welcome your feedback.

College Buses

As we begin a new term, I would like to remind parents/guardians and students of a few requirements for riding the College buses.

1. All students are required to follow driver instructions at all times.
2. The buses are at, or close to capacity most days, and this means that students are expected to store their school bags on the floor at their feet or under the seat in front of them. Students must be courteous to other riders and not place their bags on the seats at any time.
3. It is a legal requirement that students wear seatbelts for the entire journey. If they are required to step into the isle to allow a fellow passenger to disembark, they are required to take their seat quickly and refasten their seatbelt.

As College bus riders, students are required to respect themselves and others, including property, and communicate respectfully with each other. This will ensure that travel is safe and enjoyable for everyone.

I thank you in advance for your support. Have a great term.

Cameran Triffett

DEPUTY PRINCIPAL

DEPUTY PRINCIPAL – ACADEMIC

Welcome back to our students and their parents and families.  I hope over the holiday period you were able to take rest, spend some time together and refresh before we embark on a new term of learning.  In the last week of Term 1, Interim Reports were distributed.  While these only included behaviour and work ethic results, this is a valuable time to reflect on progress in specific subjects and set new goals before formal reports, that include subject results, are distributed this term for all year levels. 

As part of the feedback process, the College held Academic Conference meetings in both Week 1, Term 2 and again in Week 3, Term 2.  If students and parents are unable to attend Academic Conferences, the Student Reflection Booklet is a valuable tool to reflect on Term 1, and allows students to continue to strive for new goals in Term 2 and beyond.  For parents that are unable to make the set times of Academic Conferences, please do not hesitate to reach out to your daughter’s classroom teacher to make alternative arrangements to discuss classroom progress. 

SENIOR STUDIES EVENING

Year 10 and 11 students and parents were invited to the Senior Studies Evening in Week 1, Term 2.  This evening discussed the purpose of the senior years of learning in Queensland as well as the range of pathway options that the College offers.  If you were unable to attend, or would like links to further information shared on this night, it can be found on the Learning Hub. 

2025 SUBJECT SELECTION EVENINGS

Term 2 allows us to start to prepare for 2025 subject selection through holding Subject Information Evenings. These evenings allow parents and students to find out information about choosing subjects for 2025. 

The 2025 Subject Selection Evenings will be held on the following dates:

• Tuesday, 4 June 2024 – Year 7 into Year 8, 2025 (5.30pm in the Auditorium)
• Wednesday, 12 June 2024 – Year 9 into Year 10, 2025 (5.30pm in the Auditorium)
• Wednesday, 12 June 2024 – Year 10 into Year 11, 2025 (6pm in the Auditorium)

These events are compulsory for students in these year levels and students must attend in their College academic uniform with a fully charged laptop.

To assist in the subject selection process, students in the year levels listed above will be will be involved in subject presentations throughout Weeks 3 and 4 to learn about the possible subject options for 2025.  Heads of Faculty will present this information to ensure students are aware of subject offerings and possible pathways linked to specific subjects. 

Report Cards

Report Cards will be issued in the June/July holidays to all year levels via email. 

Year 7 to 10 students will receive a Semester 1 Report, Year 11 students will receive a Unit 1 Report and Year 12 students a Unit 3 Provisional Report.

If your email address has changed please advise the College Office to ensure our records are updated and you receive your daughter’s report.

Amy Byrnes

DEPUTY PRINCIPAL – ACADEMIC

FROM THE DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS OPERATIONS

At St Patrick’s College Townsville we support our staff’s right to disconnect. Staff are not expected to check or respond to emails outside of our office hours of 8:00am and 4:00pm. Where contact is made with staff outside these hours you can expect to receive a response by close of business two (2) working days from the date of contact. Thank you for your understanding and support in this matter.

Prue Meier

DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS OPERATIONS

FROM THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF STUDENTS

Welcome to Term Two, I hope all of our families had an opportunity to rest and unwind over the Easter break. This term is full of many activities and events and I would like to encourage all students to participate in these activities to get the most out of their time here at the College.

END OF TERM ONE

We finished the end of term 1 with the whole College coming together for an Easter liturgy and then we broke into the four house groups and shared a picnic lunch and participated in activities that allowed students to further enhance the relationship with others. Even though the rainy weather meant we could not enjoy the Strand for this event, we are fortunate to have a beautiful campus to enjoy. There was lots of cheerful conversations during the shared picnic, and healthy competition to see who would take out the trivia championship. As always, Just Dance was a joyful and energetic way to end the day.

SCHOOL SAFE DRIVER PROGRAM

A group of 40 Year 11 students attended the School Safe Driver Program, run jointly between Townsville University Hospital and the Advanced Driver Training Centre. The course is designed to teach and embed principles of safety, with a view to preventing traffic incident occurring. The students participated in a mix of didactic sessions and practical vehicle-based exercises, delivered by experts from the ADTC. Senior staff from the TUH Emergency Department also attended and presented to the students. The students who attended learned a lot and we are very appreciative to the staff of the program for offering this to our students.

CAMPS

All students in Years 7 – 11 will be taking part in the Camps/Retreats Program from Monday 17 June til Monday 19 June. Year 12 Retreat will occur on Tuesday 18 June til Wednesday 19 June. This year’s camps will be held at the following locations:

Year 7 – Mungalli Falls Outdoor Education Centre – Milla Milla

Year 8 – Echo Creek Adventure Centre – Tully

Year 9 – Camp Gedling – Hervey Range

Year 10 – Genazzano Retreat – Tinaroo

Year 11 – Apex Camps – Magnetic Island

Year 12 – Amaroo on Mandalay – Magnetic Island

Please be aware that this program is compulsory and all students are expected to attend. 

You will receive information specific to your daughter’s camp this week.  To approve your daughter’s participation please review the Terms & Conditions document and her medical details then accept the excursion.  Responses are due by 1 June 2024.  If you require assistance logging on the Learning Hub Parent Lounge, please contact IT Support on itsupport@stpatscollege.qld.edu.au.

COMBINED PASTORAL EVENTS

We have two combined pastoral events this term, where we gather with other students from Ignatius Park College, Abergowrie College and St Margaret Mary’s College to further develop the relationships between the schools. If your daughter is in Year 11 or Year 9, you will soon be receiving correspondence about these events. We will host the Year 11 Trivia night on Friday 10 May and Ignatius Park will host the Year 9 touch carnival during the day on Friday 17 May.

UNIFORM

I would like to ask parents/guardians to check that the uniform worn by their daughter meets the Uniform Policy detailed in the Student Diary or as stated on our college Website.  Each student is expected to maintain high standards of personal appearance and I encourage parents/guardians to ensure that the uniform is being worn each day in accordance with College expectations.  This also includes the College bag and it is an expectation that all students have this, as it is part of the uniform. PC teachers will be doing a check of this in the coming weeks.

STUDENT ABSENCE PROCESS

A reminder of the College’s daily absence/short term absence for medical reasons contact details: Student Reception Absence Line (07) 4753 0377 or email  absence@stpatscollege.qld.edu.au

Shari Finlay 

ACTING DIRECTOR OF STUDENTS

FROM THE DIRECTOR OF BOARDING & STRATEGIC PROJECTS

The girls are happily settled again at their St Pat’s home and are ready for an invigorating term ahead. A big thank you to the Wulgurukaba Walkabouts who led us in a Welcome Back to Country Smoking Ceremony for the start of Term Two. It was also wonderful to see so many families able to physically attend the Academic Conferences and build connections with the girls’ teachers.  Another opportunity to meet with teaching staff will take place during NAIDOC week in Term Three.

Enrolment interviews for Yr 7 of 2025 are planned for Mid May of this year. If you have any family or friends that are interested in attending St Patrick’s in 2025, can you please make contact with Ms Joanne Pacey jpacey@stpatscollege.qld.edu.au or contact the College to express your interest and start the application process. We don’t want any siblings missing out!

Lastly, please enjoy the photos below of recent weekend activities with our bright and vibrant boarding family.

FROM THE DEAN OF PATHWAYS

St Patrick’s Twilight Careers Expo

Discover your future at the St Patrick’s College Twilight Careers Expo on Wednesday 15 May from 5-7 pm in the Auditorium. Get ready to explore exciting career opportunities and connect with industry professionals at the upcoming Twilight Careers Expo. This event is your chance to dive into different career paths, gain insights, and network with experts in various fields.

Year 12 Career Prep Interviews

As we journey through the academic year, we remain dedicated to nurturing and guiding your daughters towards their future aspirations. It is with great pleasure that we announce the continuation of our Career Preparation Interviews for Year 12 students throughout Term 2.  These interviews offer a valuable opportunity to engage in constructive discussions about your daughter’s career goals and chart a clear path for her post-school journey. 

Year 10 SET Plans

We are excited to announce that our Year 10 SET Plans will be conducted during weeks 6-9 this term. These sessions are designed to assist students in making informed decisions regarding their learning pathways and subject selections for Year 11, 2025.  SET Plans help students make decisions about their learning pathways and base their subject choices around their abilities, interests and goals.

Get in Touch

If you have any queries regarding your daughter’s future please reach out to Camille Flores, Dean of Pathways, at cflores@stpatscollege.qld.edu.au.  I look forward to collaborating with you in empowering your daughters to confidently navigate their educational and career journeys.

FROM THE DEFENCE SCHOOL MENTOR

ANZAC DAY

ANZAC Day, 25 April is observed nationally as a solemn day of remembrance held on the anniversary of the landing of the First Australian Imperial Force and New Zealand Army troops, at Gallipoli in 1915. This year, we acknowledge Australian service in East Timor (now Timor-Leste) in our ANZAC Day Liturgy on Wednesday, 24 April.

Term 2 brings a busy schedule for our Defence students, with selected representatives attending the Dawn Service and our College participating in the Townsville City Council march along the Strand on Thursday, 25 April. Leading up to ANZAC Day, it is encouraged to visit:

https://anzacportal.dva.gov.au/commemoration/anzac-day-package

Defence Students will be selling ANZAC merchandise during Week 2 during breaks including badges, stickers, pens, notebooks and scrunchies. Additionally, a local business, Pretty Please Handmade Creations has been busily creating poppy earrings for our students, with $1 donated from every sale to The Oasis Townsville – a community centre for Veterans.

Princes Trust Australia Co Design Session

Over the Easter school holidays, a number of our Defence Students participated in the Princes Trust Program – Eryn & Alex Matters, Indiana Lalor and Madison Long. During this session students explored ideas for the development of a free education program aimed at children of Defence members or Veterans between 12-17 years of age. Sharing their own ideas and experiences the girls were able to develop their entrepreneurial skills, make new friends and each were awarded $100 for their contributions.  Congratulations in your participation of this co design session, your efforts were highly praised.

RAAF Enlistment ADF Careers Centre

Officially sworn in as members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF), two senior Defence graduates from 2023, Mackenzie Mitchell and Lillian Webb enlisted as an Aviation Support Technician and Administration Assistant respectively with the Royal Australian Air Force at ceremonies held at the ADF Careers Centre.  We are very proud of the girls and their chosen careers and wish them every success with their future endeavours.

SUPPORT SERVICES – Moving with Kids

In term 2, we welcome new families to our College.  Moving is a major life change, and children may face challenges as they leave behind friends and familiar places and activities.  To make the process more manageable for children and to help them become more positive and self-reliant, communicating truthfully and openly is important to help them understand and cope with the change.  This will allow the children to feel empowered, valued and make them feel a part of the process. 

Education Assistance Scheme

As a timely reminder, don’t forget, within the first 18 months of starting at a new school you are also entitled to tutoring reimbursement to overcome the immediate difficulties caused by changing schools.  For more information about this program:

– visit the DFMS Website  Education Assistance Scheme | ADF Members & Families | Defence

– Consult your local Education Liaison Officer (EDLO), MRS Jessica Stark jessica.stark@defence.gov.au

– Email: education.supportprograms@defence.gov.au

Partner Employment Assistance Program

The Partner Employment Assistance Program (PEAP) provides support and funding for eligible ADF partners for initiatives aimed at improving employability.

Eligibility requirements include:

• the partner is formally recognised by Defence
• the partner is relocating or has relocated to the current location due to an ADF posting within Australia 
• the member is serving in the permanent forces, is a Reserve member on continuous full-time service, or is transitioning for medical reasons.

Further information can be found:

Partner Employment Assistance Program | ADF Members & Families | Defence

If you will be absent for a period of time during the term due to deployment/exercises or would like further information about the services provided, please feel free to contact the Defence School Mentor, Ms Gayle Walkom via gwalkom@stpatscollege.qld.edu.au or phone 47530300. 

Gayle Walkom

DEFENCE SCHOOL MENTOR