FROM THE ACTING COLLEGE PRINCIPAL

We have had a great start to the year and it has been wonderful to celebrate student success at our Scholars’ and Academic & Diligence Assemblies. Success takes many forms and we see its demonstration in practice daily. We have students who excel academically, those who shine on the stage, in the art studio, the sporting field or in the swimming pool. As a Mercy Community, we take the time to acknowledge the myriad of talents our students possess and try to provide them with the opportunity to thrive no matter where their success is found.

At our recent Interhouse Swimming Carnival, we cheered for those students who won races and recognised their achievements with the presentation of the Age Champion Medals. There are many things that are unique to this College, but on days like the Interhouse Swimming Carnival, what is always on full display is how our students demonstrate the Mercy Values through action. Courage is displayed as those students who are not the strongest swimmers take to the pool and give their very best. Respect for each individual’s contribution is fostered by those who cheer and support each and every swimmer. There is genuine compassion for those who need a little encouragement to extend themselves beyond their comfort zones and Joy is found by all those who dress up and join in with the war cries in a spirit of friendly competition. We are all so blessed to be part of a community where each individual is encouraged to develop their self-confidence and develop deep connections.

Days like our Interhouse Swimming Carnival are a success because staff, students and parents/guardians invest in making them events where everyone is seen and can contribute no matter their ability. 

Lenten Journey

As we approach this Lenten season, we are reminded of the importance of this sacred and transformative time for Catholics to draw closer to God, deepen their faith, and renew their commitment in preparation for the joy and significance of Easter by engaging in reflection, prayer, and almsgiving. The most recent Mercy Partners Lenten Reflection resource included the following quote from To Bless the Space Between Us by John O’Donohue.

“Our passion for life is quietly sustained from somewhere in us that is wedded to the energy and excitement of life. This shy inner light is what enables us to recognise and receive our very presence here as blessing…”

When we consider this quote in the context of our College community, it could serve as a wonderful reminder that we all possess an internal spark or energy that drives our engagement with learning and growing. By embracing and nurturing this inner vitality, we may be able to then cultivate a deeper appreciation for the opportunities and experiences afforded to us.

Cameran Triffett

ACTING COLLEGE PRINCIPAL

FROM THE ACTING DEPUTY PRINCIPAL – ACADEMIC

A warm welcome to our new and returning students and their families. It has been an interesting start to the year but as we move past the halfway point in the term, I trust students have settled into their timetables, established connections with their teachers and peers, and gained access to the College’s IT services, including emails, textbooks, and the Learning Hub.

I encourage all students to set personal academic goals and strive for excellence in their studies. I look forward to working collaboratively with students and families to ensure they feel supported in achieving their academic aspirations.

In Week 3, we held the Academic and Diligence Assembly, recognising Semester 2 achievements for Years 8 & 9. Congratulations to all award recipients. A full list of recipients is included in this newsletter, and award criteria are available on the College Website. I encourage all students to work towards the next awards presentation in Term 3.

Tutoring Schedule

Teachers at the College provide a range of tutoring opportunities for students, including before and after school and during lunch breaks. The tutoring schedule for Semester 1, 2025 is located on the Learning Hub and has been emailed to parents and students. I would also encourage students to speak to their teachers for alternative tutoring times.

Study Timetable

With students receiving their Timetable, Assessment Calendar and the Tutoring Schedule, they can begin to plan their study timetables and diaries. It is important that students are implementing these procedures early in the year and having a regular routine. 

As a general guide for students and parents/guardians, the following average times per day are suggested for each year level for homework/study:

• Year 7 – 30 minutes to 1 hour
• Year 8 – 1 ½ hours
• Year 9 – 2 hours
• Year 10 – 2 ½ hours
• Year 11 – 3 hours
• Year 12 – 3 ½ hours

Chris Pacey

ACTING DEPUTY PRINCIPAL – ACADEMIC

YEARS 8 – 9 ACADEMIC & DILIGENCE AWARDEES

YEAR 8

YEAR 9

FROM THE DIRECTOR OF STUDENTS

Welcome to the 2025 school year, and a very special welcome to our new families joining us at St Patrick’s College Townsville. I hope all students have had a great start to the school year.

The year so far has been filled with exciting events, activities and celebrations and it is only Week 6. The Year 7 cohort are off to an excellent start, led by the Head of Year 7, Ms Henderson. They have been supported by their Year 12 Big Sisters to set up their laptops, learn how to use the Learning Hub, find their lockers and navigate the school campus. The Year 7 and Year 11 students completed Success Integrated seminars on February 18. The Year 7’s discussed building resilience so they can cope with the changes involved with transitioning from primary to secondary school, while the Year 11’s learned valuable study skills.

The Year 12 students, under the guidance of Acting Head of Year 12 Mr Turner, have had a very busy start to the term. Last week, we celebrated the Beginning of Year Mass and Senior Investiture with all Year 12 students receiving their senior badge. The 2025 Prefects attended the GRIP Leadership Conference as well as the Leadership Retreat, building their leadership skills and planning events for the year.

It was fantastic to see the House spirit at the Interhouse Swimming Carnival. There were amazing themed outfits and banners, and some very hoarse voices after all the war cries. Congratulations to the Heads of House and House Captains for organising your teams and having lots of student participation. 

At St Patrick’s College Townsville, the Pastoral Care team consists of four Heads of House and two Heads of Year. The Heads of House provide and lead pastoral care for students that are in Years 8 to 11, while the Head of Year 7 and Head of Year 12 provide and lead pastoral care their respective years.

The 2025 Pastoral Team and their emails are below:

HEAD OF HOUSE – DOMINATIONS

Ms Carla Weijers cweijers@stpatscollege.qld.edu.au

ACTING HEAD OF HOUSE – POWERS

Ms Lara Hansen lhansen@stpatscollege.qld.edu.au

ACTING HEAD OF HOUSE – THRONES

Ms Jodie Roberts jroberts@stpatscollege.qld.edu.au

HEAD OF HOUSE – PRINCIPALITIES

Ms Aimee Strickland astrickland@stpatscollege.qld.edu.au

HEAD OF YEAR 7

Ms Meg Henderson mhenderson@stpatscollege.qld.edu.au

ACTING HEAD OF YEAR 12

Mr McKye Turner mturner@stpatscollege.qld.edu.au

ACTING DEAN OF STUDENT WELLBEING

Ms Tenille Hambly thambly@stpatscollege.qld.edu.au

MOBILE PHONE REMINDERS

I thank parents/guardians for supporting their daughters in meeting the school mobile phone expectations. Year 7 students should have their phones in their locked lockers from 8.10am until 3.15pm, unless for educational purposes in class under the direction of a teacher. Students using phones during the day will have their phone confiscated by a staff member and taken to the Mercy Rose Room. For the first offence, the phone will be confiscated until the end of the day. Further confiscations can lead to more serious consequences including handing in their phone every morning for a week (or more), parent/guardian notification, and internal suspension.

Students are not to wear headphones, earphones or AirPods unless under direct teacher instruction. Students are not allowed to take photos or videos of students during the school day or post photos of themselves or others in school uniform to any form of social media.

Kristen Armitage

DIRECTOR OF STUDENTS

FROM THE ACTING DEAN OF STUDENT WELLBEING

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT EDUCATION LESSONS TO FOSTER TO STUDENT WELLBEING

In ancient Greek philosophy, particularly in the works of Aristotle, eudaimonia is considered the ultimate goal of human life, achieved through virtuous living, rational contemplation, and the fulfilment of one’s potential. At St Patrick’s College Townsville, our goal is to nurture this state by implementing overarching programs and initiatives to foster holistic growth and fulfilment within our students. Purposeful learning experiences equip students to excel academically, socially, and personally, fostering a meaningful and fulfilling life. The College approach extends to various dimensions of wellbeing, encompassing emotional, social, economic, physical, spiritual, and cognitive wellbeing.

One of the many programs targeted to nurture and support students’ growth across these areas is the Personal Development Education (PDE) program. The PDE program has been thoughtfully designed, incorporating the latest educational resources and research to support students in building confidence, resilience, and essential life skills. Lessons are programmed to support students’ social-emotional learning and mental wellbeing. Through the PDE program, students develop self-awareness, healthy relationships, and decision-making skills, equipping them to navigate challenges and thrive in all aspects of life.

The ultimate goal is to empower St Patrick’s College Townsville students to become the best version of themselves, equipping them with the right foundations to embrace endless possibilities. By prioritising student wellbeing through targeted PDE lessons, we support them in living with resilience, meaning and purpose, while fostering a commitment to lifelong learning.

The overarching themes for personal growth and learning this year are:

• Year 7 – Sisterhood and Belonging
• Year 8 – Discovery and Identify
• Year 9 – Challenge
• Year 10 – Independence
• Year 11 – Leadership
• Year 12 – Future Thinking

PDE lessons are scheduled fortnightly on Wednesdays during Period 2, immediately following Assembly. For more details on the specific content covered in each year level, please refer to the Personal Development Education year level email sent to parents/guardians earlier this term.

Tenille Hambly

ACTING DEAN OF STUDENT WELLBEING

FROM THE DEFENCE SCHOOL MENTOR

St Patrick’s College Townsville Defence School Mentor Program

Dear Defence Families,

Hi, my name is Gayle Walkom, and I am the Defence School Mentor for 2025. To our newly posted in families, welcome to the St Patrick’s College Townsville community, and to our previous families, welcome back for another year. 

My primary role as Defence School Mentor is to provide information and support students of the Australian Defence Force families to ease the impact of mobility and service-related parental absence. Defence families are a significant and highly valued group within the College and supporting our students from an ADF family is a high priority. Being a Garrison City, our staff are well acquainted with the challenges of the ADF lifestyle and look forward to ensuring our students have the most positive experience possible.

At the beginning of the term, we welcomed new students to the College where we indulged in some tasty treats and shared experiences of our Defence lineage. Morning Teas will be held fortnightly and will be advertised through College News and students emailed directly. This is an opportunity for social and emotional support for students and to support them during any changes in circumstances. I encourage families to discuss their roles within the Defence to their children as they are extremely proud of your service.

Year 7 Meet and Greet

Unleashing their creativity, Year 7 and 8 students designed and crafted unique keyrings to personalise and easily identify their school bags. With the assistance of older Defence students, this hands-on project not only showcased their artistic talents but also added a practical and personal touch to their daily routines.

Student Highlight – RAAF Cadets Opportunity, Saturday 1 March

RAAF Cadets in their second year and beyond may undertake one instructional flight (known as PEX) per year under the supervision of a qualified flying instructor. In the context of cadet aviation, PEX typically stands for Pilot Experience Flight. On the weekend, several RAAF Cadets from St Patrick’s College Townsville experienced the thrill of PEX flights, starting with a briefing on aircraft controls before taking to the skies.

Flying in a Cessna 172 Aircraft, Lilly Bookall had the chance to taxi on the runway and take full control mid-flight for an unforgettable 30-minute adventure.

Change in Family Circumstances

Please advise Defence School Mentor, Gayle Walkom, when there is a change in your family circumstances, for example: retired, discharging, posting, deployment, large period of parental absences or unaccompanied postings. This will enable me to provide extra services and care to your daughter. Additionally, if you feel you shouldn’t be on the Defence School List, please let me know. 

Open Arms Courses

A number of courses are available for Defence members and partners. 

1-2-3 Magic and Emotion Coaching (Three Week Parent Program)

12-26 March, 9.00am – 11.30am

Stepping Out (Two Day Program)

29-30 April, 9.00am – 11.30am

In addition to the above face-to-face groups, Open Arms also provides a range of educational online training and workshops. To register your interest and for the most up-to-date information visit:  https://www.openarms.gov.au/get-support/treatment-programs-and-workshops

Support Services

Time apart from families due to deployments, training or other Service requirements is an integral feature of Defence life. Defence Member and Family Support (DMFS), Defence Families Australia and Open Arms are able to inform and prepare you for these times and provide you with support to make these experiences manageable, positive and strengthening ones for your family. DMFS can be contacted via https://www.defence.gov.au/adf-members-families/crisis-support/helplines/defence-member-family-helpline or 1800 624 608.

Geckos Family Centre

For those new to the region, Geckos is located on Lavarack Barracks and provides services, support, and activities to enhance social connections and family resilience within the Defence community of North Queensland. Geckos offers many exciting events throughout the year and the team are looking forward to meeting all the new families in the region. Geckos has a playground that is open all day every day – from dawn until dusk – with access to toilet, parking and cold water facilities. If you would like to keep up to date with Geckos’ upcoming events and activities, follow their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/geckosfamilycentre/

Are You Aware?

Don’t forget that the Education Assistance Scheme is available to minimise the disruption of a posting, providing assistance with tutoring costs, and some support for students with special needs. Funding for additional tuition is available within the first 18 months of the posting. Tutoring is funded for 1 hour per week per subject for 14 weeks for subjects in which a child needs support. For more information, you can contact the Defence Family Helpline on 1800 624 608, or email the Education team at education.supportprograms@defence.gov.au

https://www.defence.gov.au/adf-members-families/family-programs-services/support-for-children/education-assistance-scheme

If you will be absent for a period of time next term due to deployment 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 07 475 30300.

Gayle Walkom

DEFENCE SCHOOL MENTOR

UN YOUTH TOWNSVILLE CONFERENCE

Congratulations to all for their outstanding achievements!

 

SPARQ-ED JUNIOR RESEARCH ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM

At the end of last year, Abbie Marlborough was selected to attend the prestigious SPARD-ed junior research engagement program in Brisbane over the holidays! This incredible opportunity allowed Abbie to gain a practical introduction to biomedical research in a state-of-the-art facility using the latest technologies. We couldn’t be more proud of her for being chosen to participate in such a transformative experience!

SUPPORTING STUDENTS WITH CONFIDENCE-BUILDING DRIVING LESSONS

Jims Driving School Mount Low: Nurturing Confident, Safe, Young Drivers

Jims Driving School Mount Low, a new driving school focused on helping young drivers gain the skills, knowledge, and confidence they need to navigate the roads safely.

Our mission is simple: to provide a relaxed, stress-free learning environment where students can build their confidence behind the wheel. At Jims Driving School Mount Low, we understand how important it is to have a supportive and encouraging atmosphere, particularly for young learners. Our experienced instructors work hard to create a positive environment where each student feels comfortable and capable throughout their learning journey.

Our lessons are tailored to meet the individual needs of every student, ensuring a personalized approach that makes learning to drive both enjoyable and effective. Whether mastering the basics or preparing for more complex driving scenarios, we guide our students through each stage of their development.

At Jims Driving School, we firmly believe that a confident driver is a safe driver. That’s why our comprehensive training programs are designed to not only teach essential driving skills but to also instil the confidence needed to handle any situation on the road.

For more information, or if you’d like to discuss how we can work together, please don’t hesitate to contact us via our channels listed below:

Email: daniel.waller@jimsdrivingschool.com.au

Phone: +61 428 343 232

Website: jimsdrivingschool.com.au