MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL

International Women’s Day (IWD), on March 8, is a day when the world places a strategic focus on celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women toward achieving a more gender equal world. Incredible progress has been made in this space. This has been as a result of generations of strong, determined men and women who understand that inclusion and equality are basic human rights and that a more equal world benefits society as a whole.

Our students are fortunate to experience the naturally empowering all girls’ environment, encouraging them to truly dare to imagine their future, more confident in using their education to embrace every opportunity, take their seat at the table of life and use their voice to affect change that is for the betterment of all.

This year, the UN Women IWD theme is #Choose to Challenge, and poses the idea that we all are able to take greater responsibility to seek out and celebrate women’s achievements, and also to challenge the conscious and unconscious bias on gender equality in our own perspectives, thoughts and actions.

We remind our students regularly that empowered women empower other women. They are encouraged to believe in themselves and those around them. As key role models, our teachers and staff demonstrate in behaviour, word and action that we always seek to lift up our female peers, celebrate the strengths of women and help to spread the good news about women instead of choosing to tear them down.

I would hope that the community has been able to read about our very own Rosie Maguire, Acting Head of Dominations House and Drama and English Teacher, who was recently announced by The Educator as a 2021 Rising Star of the Year. This award is testament to her unwavering enthusiasm and passion for helping our students reach for the stars.

More information about Rosie’s award can be found at: The Educator Online

May God bless our College community in the year ahead.

Amber Hauff

College Principal

DEPUTY PRINCIPAL

OPEN EVENING REMINDERS

Twilight Open Evening is Wednesday 17 March 2021.

To allow preparations to take place, the normal school day will end at 12.45pm with the College bus runs departing the College at 1.00pm. Please note that there will be no regular bus run at 3.15pm on that day.

If your daughter is not able to travel home at this time, supervision will be provided at the College until the normal dismissal time of 3.15pm. We ask that you notify the College via email to swilkinson@stpatscollege.qld.edu.au by Friday 12 March if supervision until 3.15pm is required.

For any students staying at the College for supervision, Tuckshop service will still be available but only via pre-order on the Flexischools app.

Please contact the College on 4753 0300 if you have any questions regarding these arrangements.

DEPUTY PRINCIPAL – ACADEMIC

At this point in the term, your daughter will have received assessment tasks for a number of her subjects and possibly some upcoming examinations. You can encourage and support her to prepare for these assessment items by ensuring she has a regular routine and study habits.

EFFECTIVE STUDY HABITS

Most students benefit from multiple opportunities to learn and retain new ideas, particularly if this occurs over a period of time. Students should:

• Keep a list of things to accomplish during studying time;
• Read the assigned work (revise the work covered that day or read ahead to prepare for the next lesson);
• Utilise the College Learning Hub to review resources for each subject;
• Create vivid mental images to aid learning;
• Memorise the material through repetition;
• Self-verbalise the steps to complete a given task;
• Use chapter review questions to self-test;
• Make a plan (outline) before beginning an assessment task;
• Seek feedback from the teacher and talk to the teacher about what she knows and where her knowledge gaps are (teacher feedback from assigned tasks and exams will also help);
• Act on written and verbal feedback provided;
• Check both drafts and good copies carefully and deliberately before handing in an assignment;
• Once assessment is returned, review the items missed, including questions that were guessed.

Students are always encouraged to regularly communicate with their subject teachers if they have any questions or concerns about subject content or the requirements of upcoming assessment tasks.

SENIOR STUDIES INFORMATION EVENING

Parents/Guardians and Students in Years 10 and 11 were invited to attend the Senior Studies Information Evening on Tuesday, 23 February. This presentation is now available on the Learning Hub.  

Further resources are also available on the hub that will support your daughter as she enters the senior phase of schooling.

DIRECTOR OF STUDENTS

CHALLENGE ACCEPTED

At our last College assembly, I challenged our students to “Choose real people over screens”.

In moderation, TV, computer games and online activities can be fun and educational. However, there is a growing body of evidence that suggests too much screen time is becoming a hazard to our children’s eyes, general health and to their social skills. Too much screen time can also make it harder for your teenager to get to sleep and to concentrate on their schoolwork.

If you’re worried about your teenager’s screen time, here are some tips for encouraging healthy technology use.

TIPS FOR HEALTHY DIGITAL HABITS:

• Try to agree on some reasonable limits for technology use according to your teenager’s age – such as times of the day that will be technology free.
• Encourage your teen to take regular breaks from the screen.
• Find activities your teenager enjoys doing that are not screen-based, and encourage them to do these regularly— visit friends and family, play a sport, go for a walk, play music or cook. When they’re having fun, screen time will suddenly become a lot less attractive.
• Try to keep technology out of your teen’s bedroom and, where possible, make sure phones, TVs and computers are kept where you can keep an eye on their use.
• Encourage your teenager to turn off all screens about an hour before they go to sleep. Research shows that using these items too close to bedtime makes it harder to fall asleep.
• If your teen wears glasses, check with their optometrist about suitability for screen use.
• Let your teenager know that they shouldn’t hold their screens too close to their eyes, especially for long periods of time.
• Help your teen to set up their computer workspace properly, including a chair that encourages good posture.
• Set a good example. Your teen is more likely to take time off from their own screens if they see you doing the same.

For tips and advice on helping your child have safe and enjoyable experiences online, visit the eSafety website.

www.learningpotential.gov.au

HEALTHY FEARLESS WOMEN

The Pastoral Care have been working very hard in the Healthy Fearless Women program to find challenging, exciting and meaningful opportunities to our students. Our primary goal is to help them develop self-confidence and resilience. We also want them to have fun. It seems like all three boxes were ticked on a recent rock-climbing excursion. Here are a few photos which show our HFW students taking on the wall and and winning! 

DIRECTOR OF MISSION

ST PATRICK’S DAY

On the 17^th March we will come together to celebrate the Eucharist in honour of St Patrick’s Feast Day and the belated Commissioning of our Principal, Ms Amber Hauff. We honour the legacy of St Patrick and the impact that the many Irish priests, sisters and brothers had on the lives of Australians in parishes, hospitals and schools. With great joy, we finally formally acknowledge the Commissioning of our Principal and share with her the special symbols of a Mercy education. Due to COVID restrictions, only a small number of invited guests will be able to attend.

MERCY GIRLS IN ACTION

“Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things, with great love. “

 (Saint Teresa of Calcutta)

During Lent, Mercy Girls In Action continues to focus on the important work of CARITAS Australia’s Project Compassion. During weekly meetings, the girls work through the CARITAS resources. This year we have a large, committed community service group who enthusiastically work together to raise awareness and funds for those people experiencing poverty, disability and disaster.

THIRD WEEK OF LENT

(school week beginning 8^th March)

We are now in the third week of Lent with the Project Compassion story of Oliva, a 22-year-old woman from Tanzania. She did not have the opportunity to go to school and was embarrassed that she was unable to read, write or count. As an adult, her business was losing money because she couldn’t add up her money and give the right change to customers.

Then Oliva enrolled in Caritas Australia’s literacy and numeracy classes. She also set up a home classroom to teach her neighbours, for free, because they were too shy to attend larger classes.

Oliva has now graduated, attendance at her classes are growing, her kiosk is thriving and she is helping her children with their homework. She aims to become a pastor and run for leadership in the next local election – to help her community to ‘Be More.’

Approximately 260 million children don’t have the chance to go to school (org). Watch a short film about Oliva’s story here. Please support Project Compassion: lent.caritas.org.au

 “Aspire not to have more, but to be more.”

CAREERS

Ms Rentoule, our Head of Faculty – Careers and Vocations, shares some important updates in the areas of study and scholarships.

QCAA MYQCE STUDENT PORTAL

Year 12 students should now have registered for access to their MyQCE Student Portal. The Student Portal provides students with access to their personal details, subject and course enrolments, unit and assessment results, and is where they will be able to get their final results at the end of Year 12. This link will take you to the MyQCE webpage where students can access the Student Portal https://myqce.qcaa.qld.edu.au/

TERTIARY AND SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS

Over the next six months, Year 12 students are encouraged to start researching options in preparation for scholarship applications and University applications. Most University applications open in early August and close by the end of September. Students should be using Semester One to research scholarships, and course options to determine their top six preferences for courses in Queensland.

If you are interested in applying to ANU Applications are OPEN now 3 March – you should be working on your portfolio of extra curricula/service gathering evidence in the following areas:

Your cocurricular and service requirement (CCS) activities need to demonstrate three of the following skills:

1. Community engagement
2. Inclusion and awareness of diversity
3. Communication
4. Leadership
5. Personal responsibility
6. Teamwork
7. Creative and critical thinking

https://www.anu.edu.au/study/apply/domestic-applications-anu-undergraduate/applying-to-anu-application-details/co

If you need help please email me to make an appointment.

Each state is slightly different when it comes to applications, so please make sure to access this information on the St Patrick’s College Careers Website or the University websites.

THINKING OF MEDICINE/DENTISTRY then you may be required to sit UCAT if you are intending to study at the following universities:

The UCAT ANZ is a compulsory entry requirement for our Australia and New Zealand Consortium universities.  You are required to sit the UCAT ANZ 2021 test (between 1 July and 11 August 2021) if you are intending to apply for entry in 2022 to a relevant course or programme listed below. UCAT ANZ results cannot be carried over from one year to the next.  For example, results from UCAT ANZ 2021 can only be used to apply for courses commencing in 2022.  https://www.ucat.edu.au/ucat-anz/universities/

BOND UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIPS

Bond University offers one of Australia’s most generous scholarship programs, featuring a range of full-fee and part-fee scholarships awarded to the best and brightest applicants each semester. The Scholarship Program awards both Australian and international students at an undergraduate and postgraduate level. Scholarships are designed to reward and recognise students who have excelled in the areas of academia, leadership, community and sport. We encourage and support interested students with applying. Further details are at https://bond.edu.au/future-students/study-bond/how-apply/scholarships

ANU TUCKWELL SCHOLARSHIP

The prestigious Tuckwell Scholarship Program is the most transformational undergraduate Scholarship Program in Australia. Every year, 25 talented School-leavers are offered the opportunity to fulfil their potential by actively participating in the very best that ANU has to offer. Scholars are selected on the basis of intellect, character, leadership and their commitment to Australia. Students who are interested in applying are encouraged to start investigating the application process at the ANU scholarship website: https://tuckwell. anu.edu.au/applying.

Scholarship applications for study at ANU in 2022 open in March 2021.

CAREERS WEBSITE

It is a “one stop shop” for students needs with their career planning, tax, money smart information, QCE, QCS to ATAR, post-School options, work experience documents and much more. Our Year 9,10,11 and 12 students will be using the St Patrick’s College Careers Website throughout their Career Education program this year. The careers website has three layers the first: the opening page is for public access and has a For Parent tab, great information; second: Student Secure Area which is password protected and this is where are students complete their Career Plan, Career Personality, resume, cover letter writing, etc; third layer is Teacher Admin where Academic Mentors, Head of Careers monitor student accounts and ca provide timely assistance.

APPOINTMENTS

If you and/or your child would like to discuss anything with me regarding careers, please email crentoule@stpatscollege.qld.edu.au to make an appointment.

FACULTY NEWS

YEAR 10 ENGINEERING

The girls have been very busy building EV3 LEGO Mindstorm Robots and controlling them remotely with their mobile phones. What a great excuse to play with LEGO in class!

12 MARINE SCIENCE 

Year 12 Marine Science students have been exploring the impacts that increasing levels of carbon dioxide are having on our oceans, especially on the ocean’s chemistry. As part of their Unit 3 work, they have had to modify experiments that look at the effect that increasing acidification has had on organisms that produce calcium carbonate to form their skeletal and bone structures. 

Some students have been looking at the effect changing pH has on coral reefs, while other students have been looking at the potential impact to important fisheries species like scallops. Students produce report that justify their research, summarise their data and provide an analysis of both their data and their experimental process.

OUR LIBRARY

LIBRARY CLUB

What a great turn out to the start of the Library Club this year, with many returning members from last year along with fresh faces. The Library Monitors excel themselves every day and a special mention must go to Hailie Smith-Johns for her exceptional work ethic and eagerness to learn new skills. I am grateful for the assistance the monitors provide and proud to see their confidence grow daily.

“SHELVIES”

Our “Shelvies” are working consistently to keep their “adopted” shelves tidy and look appealing to readers, I look forward to seeing who takes out the coveted “Shelfie of the Year” award this year.

DISPLAYS

Our Lent display was well received this year, thank you to the efforts of students who created the chains that adorned the display. The “I can’t remember the title but the cover was blue” display stemmed from a student unable to remember a title, it forms part of the 2021 overall theme of “Read the Rainbow”. Our next colour featured will be red. “Why do displays?” I hear you ask… Library displays are similar to visual merchandising in the retail arena and the aim is the same, for the books on display to grab the attention of a potential reader, the only difference is that instead of it being a financial benefit to the library we are rewarded with knowing the student’s knowledge, vocabulary and imagination are being expanded. All books on display are ready for borrowing, check one out today!

This month’s book is a student recommendation – Red blood on white snow, written by local writer Annie de Souza, the student was very excited to see it in our collection as she left her copy on train in London in the hope it would travel the world and someone would love it as much as she did.

The introduction of puzzles into the library has been a big hit with one proving rather puzzling to solve. Congratulations to the senior students who showed perseverance and persistence when faced with a particularly complex puzzle that at first glance looks very basic. Keep your eyes peeled over the next few months for the introduction of another set of challenging puzzles on the circulation desk.

Things to look forward to after the holidays include a Library Scavenger Hunt and our yearly Library Bingo challenge. Both activities will promise to extend your reading and familiarity of your library plus there are prizes at the end!

Ms Marie Jerome

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS

UN YOUTH CONFERENCE

Last Friday and Saturday, eight students went to JCU to participate in the annual UN Youth Conference. This is a national competition aimed at educating young people in political affairs, issues and global conversations. It is a wonderful way to develop public speaking, educate youth and network with other like-minded people. Jamie Moorh, Elizabeth Shaju, Jacq Wigley, Jemma Campbell, Kathrine Kerkoffs, Charlotte Merritt, Maddy Winks and Ally Espig all had an amazing experience, amending and negotiating the topics of threats to democracy, sovereignty and refugees. We would like to highlight the outstanding work of these girls and especially congratulate Ally and Maddy, the delegates of Estonia, for receiving first place in their chamber. They will fly to Brisbane to compete in state finals later this year and we wish them the best of luck!

Missing from photo: Jemma Campbell and Maddy Winks

DEBATING – WINS

Arguing with ethos, logos and pathos, our wonderful Senior Debating Team won their first debate effectively arguing, “That there is no politics in international sport”. Congratulations to our speakers, Georgia Dagge, Maddison Winks and Hayley Emanuel. Assisting on the night were Ally Espig and Charlotte Gugliotti.

Winners of the Junior Interschool Debating were Jorja Triffett, Jade De Lange and Emer Friel. The girls argued, “That the voting age should be reduced to 16.”

We’re so proud of the consistent high calibre demonstrated by our girls in public speaking events. Special thanks to Mrs Plumridge and Mrs Mosch for their expert coaching.

BE THE DIFFERENCE

Be the Difference is a national competition which empowers girls to examine and evaluate the impact of challenges women face. Year 12 student, Harper Weekers’ submission was accepted and became part of a national broadcast on the Be the Difference Facebook, Youtube and Instagram pages. On Monday 8 March, and fittingly on International Women’s Day, Harper’s entry was announced as one of the three Highly Commended submissions – effectively three winners! Thoughtful, impassioned and driven to create real change in the world, Harper is an outstanding role-model for our College community. We were able to hear Harper’s submission and congratulate her achievement on our IWD Assembly on Wednesday.

ALICE THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS

Year 10 student, Emer Friel, has joined local professional theatre company, TheatreiNQ in their upcoming performance of Alice Through the Looking Glass. This isn’t Emer’s first foray into performing with the company, having worked with them in the brilliant production, Blood of Kings in 2020. Talented, passionate and committed, Emer is one of our rising stars, and we’re very proud of this achievement. 

THEATREiNQ’S “CULTURE CLUB”

Offered by TheatreiNQ, “Culture Club” is a training experience for budding performers. Students must be nominated by their Drama teacher in order to secure admission into the course. Aiva Tyrie, Ava Sandala-Lopez and Emer Friel have been invited to join the group which started training last week. Over the course of the year, these students will work with professional actors and directors and they will also have the chance to attend company rehearsals. Thank you to Ms Kelly for nominating these students and good luck to Aiva, Ava and Emer. 

NORTH QUEENSLAND SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Recently, five of our students competed at the North Queensland Swimming Championships and their achievements were nothing short of outstanding!

• Maddy Andrejic: 11 events; 2 relays; 8 medals; 13 Years Age Champion; NQ Championship time for 100 Freestyle.
• Nala Iosefo: 4 medals and broke 30 seconds for 50 Freestyle (a PB).
• Brooke Davis-Goodall: 6 medals; QLD State time for 50 Breaststroke.
• Hayley Andrejic: 3 National times – 200 Freestyle; 400 IM; 100 Butterfly; 14 Years Age Champion; 11 medals.
• Charlotte Rosenblatt: 2 relays; 2 medals.

These girls are strong, fiercely competitive, hard working and finding great joy in what they do. We can’t wait to see what they do next.

TOUCH FOOTBALL

Year 10 Student, Grace Burbidge, has just made the North Queensland Representative side for Touch Football. Congratulations, Grace.

MATER HOSPITAL FUN RUN

Sarah Bourke, Sarah Robinson, Grace Burbidge and Estella Johnston took part in the Mater Fun Run on Sunday 7 March. This state-wide event had over 15,000 participants and raised over $1.4 million to support breast cancer research. As a group, the girls held fundraising activities at school, including selling icy-cups. Overall, the girls raised $4,049 for breast cancer research. We’re incredibly proud of them.

SHEP

The State Honours Ensemble Program (SHEP) is designed to connect young musicians across the state. Opportunities also exist for students to work with professional musicians. Held in Cairns at the start of the month, Amelia Betcher and Ruby-Rae Hicks both performed as vocalists and, to all reports, sang beautifully. Well done, ladies!

OUR EXPERT TEACHERS

At St Patrick’s College Townsville, we are incredibly proud of our Expert Teaching Team. In our last newsletter, we started introducing you to our educators and have since continued this on our social medial platforms of Facebook and Instagram. We knew that one staff member in particular would make an impact, but even we were surprised (and thrilled) at the outpouring of affection for long-standing St Patrick’s College Townsville teacher, Mrs Gayle Pollard. After 42 years, she remains committed, optimistic and passionate about helping the students’ in her care. At the time of collating this article, Mrs Pollard’s “Teachers Change Lives” profile had 4399 people and so many of our Alumni shared their reflections with other past-students. 

GAYLE POLLARD

Thank you to everyone who shared their memories of Mrs Pollard and their time at St Patrick’s College Townsville. Here are a few of our favourite comments from Social Media.

“I learnt so much from this lady as a student and then as a new teacher. Still using your techniques, Gayle, teaching pharmacy students at university. God bless.”

“Fantastic intellect, organised, compassionate, respectful and supportive of our girls…thanks for being you x”

“Mrs Pollard was one of my favourite teachers. When I started in Year 8 with little to no English, she was always there for me and my family.” 

“Mrs Pollard was a great teacher who stretched and challenged me in all the sciences back in the early 80s! I was a chatterbox and she once challenged me to remain silent for a double chemistry class and then celebrated my success with me. It wasn’t about silencing me, it was about helping me focus when I needed that support. Somewhere in a box tucked away I still have the stickers I earned that day!”

SUE RHEINBERGER

The guru of all things English, but also a expert teacher in the fields of Geography and History, Sue has been a part of the St Patrick’s College Family for over 30 years. Intelligent, gracious, calm and generous, Sue has changed the lives of thousands of young women.

“Loved her English classes, am an excellent interpreter, reader and writer of English language because of her…HUGE RESPECT.”

CONNI MOSCH

A College member since the late 90s, Conni Mosch is an English faculty stalwart. Patient, witty, knowledgeable and kind, Conni works tirelessly to help our girls find their voice.

“She was my teacher in 2002. A great teacher and introduced me to some of my favourite novels.”

To see more on our Expert Teaching Team, please go to our website, or follow the link: 

https://www.stpatscollege.qld.edu.au/our-college/our-expert-teachers/