Message From the Principal

The College community has enjoyed a wonderful start to Term 3, exploring our beautiful new East Precinct building and firmly placing the focus on learning engagement. Our very first gathering since Term 1 as a learning community was held in Week 1 in our new auditorium. Despite the stark differences of this experience to ensure we adhered to all COVIDSafe guidelines and protocol for Schools, I am certain all in attendance felt excited to be finally enjoying this space.

This week we celebrated and acknowledged Catholic Education Week. 2020 marks the 175^th year of Catholic education in Queensland. My experience as a young person attending a Catholic school for both primary and secondary education throughout the 1980s was no doubt a very different experience to what young people know today with more advanced technology, global awareness and the myriad of available opportunities. However, what has always remained an unwavering focus in Catholic schools is the challenge for everyone to use their God-given gifts and talents to find ways to make the world a better place for all. Pope Francis once said “Rivers do not drink their own water; trees do not eat their own fruit; the sun does not shine on itself and flowers do not spread their fragrance for themselves. Living for others is a rule of nature. We are all born to help each other. No matter how difficult it is…Life is good when you are happy; but much better when others are happy because of you”. This is where a Catholic education makes a real difference in the lives of so many young people and their communities.

We were able to acknowledge Tamarra Woods, our College Community Service Prefect who has been awarded the 2020 Dues Caritas Award for our College at the Townsville Catholic Education Mass held at Sacred Heart Cathedral on Monday of this week. This is testament to her genuine commitment to her service to others and living out the Gospel values.

We are also immensely proud of Mrs Tracy Nioa and Ms Megan Christie who have been nominated for 2020 Spirit of Catholic Education Awards. These incredible educators work tirelessly to empower all of those they encounter, fostering a culture of inclusiveness, respect and a genuine love of learning.

I would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the large number of our students and their extraordinary achievements that we have been sharing on Assembly and via social media.

COVID-19 Update

This situation remains ever present for us as a nation and as a community. I would like to take this opportunity to remind parents/guardians that our College has COVID-19 Risk and Outbreak Management Plans in place and are available via the Learning Hub. We continue to adhere to all COVIDSafe guidelines and protocol for schooling environments. I am attending regular briefings for Queensland Catholic and Independent Schools to ensure I have the most up to date information for our community. However, this pandemic requires everyone to play their part in keeping others safe. Mr Cameran Triffett, Deputy Principal has outlined reminders in his newsletter message. I am certain families are all aware of the recent updates on border restrictions, interstate travel challenges and required quarantine arrangements.

May God bless you all and your families

Amber Hauff

College Principal

Deputy Principal

Cameran Triffett

COVID 19 Updates

With the relaxation of restrictions on July 3, I would like to remind parents/guardians of the steps the College is continuing to take to keep our community safe.

According to the Queensland Government, schools must still observe physical distancing measures for adults. With this in mind, we would like to make the following request of parents.

Please only visit Student Reception if you need to sign your daughter out.
Where possible, please call the College on 4753 0300 for any enquiries you may have.
Please refrain from congregating in areas inside or around the school, including by the College gates.

Students are regularly reminded to continue to demonstrate good hygiene practices. There are signs around the College and in bathrooms showing the procedure for effective hand washing. Teachers are provided with sanitiser to dispense to students who require it and extra high touch point cleaning is taking place throughout the day.

We continue to adhere to and follow COVID safe practices and protocol to keep people safe.

College Photo Days

Academy Photography will be attending the College on 13 and 14 August 2020 for this year’s College photographs. Your daughter will be given her own personalised flyer prior to photo day with instructions on how to order. Orders are only able to be placed online. Students are to bring this flyer with them on photo days. Replacements will be available if needed. If you have any questions, please contact Academy Photography on 1800 816 224.

School Zone flashing lights now active at St Patrick’s College Townsville

On 20 June 2020 flashing light school zone signs were installed on Oxley Street. St Patrick’s College Townsville and St Joseph’s School North Ward were nominated to receive these new signs as part of a Queensland Government commitment to improve school road safety.

You will notice that the new signs look similar to standard school zone signs with the addition of a red flashing ring around the speed limit as well as two flashing yellow lights at the top of the sign. The installation of flashing light school zone signs is proven to improve visibility of school zones, serving as an active reminder for motorists to slow down.

So next time you’re dropping off or picking up your child, keep an eye out for the new signs and make sure you stick to the signed speed limit.

Deputy Principal – Academic

Amy Byrnes

Assessment Calendar

The Semester 2, 2020 assessment calendars have been published. This document was emailed to all parents/guardians and students and is also available on the College website. These documents can be used to assist students to plan their study timetable and ensure that they meet all due dates. The final page of the document also contains an excerpt of the College Assessment Policy.

Year 12 Mock Exams

The Assessment Calendar notes that Year 12 students will participate in Mock Exams in the final weeks of Term 3. Mock Exams will be held for all General Subjects to help students in their preparations for the External Examinations. We encourage Year 12 students to ensure they try their best in these Mock Exams to they can receive valuable feedback prior to the External Assessments. The purpose of these mock exams is to help students:

revise and test subject knowledge;
familiarise students with the language of external assessment, the types of questions that might be asked and the expected length of responses;
enable students to experience external assessment conditions and practise relevant skills;
build students’ confidence and ability in sitting exams.

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 2, 2020 has been distributed and can be found on the College website. As well as this document, students are encouraged to speak to their teachers for alternative tutoring times.

Director of Mission

Athena Costopoulos

Catholic Education Week 2020 – 175 Years: A Spirited Tomorrow

The theme for Catholic Education Week 2020 – A Spirited Tomorrow – acknowledges the 175th anniversary of the opening of the first Catholic school in Queensland, the long tradition of Catholic education and its continued relevance in preparing students for the future.

The Sisters of Mercy have been a part of St Patrick’s College Townsville and our neighbouring St Josephs’ Primary School for more than 140 years. Imagine what those Irish nuns in their heavy dark habits thought of our Townsville summers, cyclones or floods or the distance across the ocean from their loved ones. Our proud Mercy heritage is intertwined with the lives thousands of other women who have walked through these grounds before us. The values and traditions of the Mercy ethos, as modelled by Catherine McAuley, continue to inspire the daily life of our Catholic school community.

In Catholic Education week, we celebrated the ways in which Catholic education strives to make a difference in the lives of those in our schools and in the wider community by challenging young people to live out the message of Jesus and to reach their full potential as compassionate, contributing, life-giving members of society. We also recognised the contribution of three members of our College community.

Congratulations to Tamarra Woods, our College Community Service Prefect, who this week received the Catholic Education Deus Caritas Est Award. This prestigious award was presented by Bishop Tim during the Catholic Education Mass and recognises loving service lived out with a faith conviction. Tamarra’s contribution to Community service projects, school and parish life demonstrates her commitment to the Mercy ethos.

Congratulations also goes to Ms Tracy Nioa on receiving a ‘Spirit of Catholic Education’ nomination. This award recognises the outstanding contributions of teachers within the Catholic Education community. The nomination celebrates Ms Nioa’s extensive career in Catholic schools, her involvement in parish programs, outstanding leadership, and her commitment to empowering all children to reach their potential.

Finally, we congratulate Ms Megan Christie for her nomination for the Aunty Joan Hendriks Reconciliation Award. Ms Christie creates positive change for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in her role as both teacher and Director of Boarding. Ms Christie is dedicated to supporting staff and students to develop an improved understanding of Indigenous cultural heritage in our Catholic school community.

During Catholic Education Week, Mercy Girls In Action led a variety of fun and informative activities. They also continued their fundraising for Mercy Works, an agency of the Sisters of Mercy that supports education, health care, and social and spiritual well-being of those who are poor or displaced.

Youth Ambassadors Forum

On Monday, our Year 11 Youth Ambassadors, Peta Dickinson and Maddison Warren, along with College Chaplain, Ms Veukiso, attended a Diocesan Forum, led by Bishop Tim, where they and other young people discussed ways in which to make a youth-friendly and youth attracting Church that:

You would want to be part of
You believe is the direction in which Jesus and the Holy Spirit call us
You would be happy to invite your friends to
You would be happy to invite members of your family and relatives to
You would invite disconnected, disengaged people to.
You would work with others to build

The girls were able to work collaboratively with other youth representatives and present their ideas to Bishop Tim.

TOGETHER WE PRAY

God of this brand-new day,

You have filled the world with life through the gift of the Spirit.

As we gather this week to celebrate 175 years of Catholic Education in Queensland,

We ask that you continue to pour out your Spirit upon us all,

so that each one of us will be strengthened to take your Word into our world.

We make this prayer in the name of Jesus our Lord.

Amen.

Director of Boarding

Megan Christie

The ‘buzz’ is back in Boarding! Our boarding house is once again filled with laughter and joy. It has been wonderful to have the girls return happy and healthy. The girls have settled back into boarding routines quickly. I have been very proud of the girls’ responsible and mature response to the strict COVID-19 hygiene and social distancing rules in place to keep everybody safe and well. Unfortunately, our Papua New Guinea girls have not been able to return to Australia. We miss them terribly and hope they can come ‘home’ soon.

It is with a very heavy heart that I inform you that Miss Sarah Amos has resigned from her Senior Boarding Supervisor position. Miss Amos has commenced work as a Teacher Aide in the day school. As I always look for a silver lining, I am gladdened by the thought that now both the boarders and day students will be blessed with Miss Amos’ incredible presence and support. The good news is that Miss Amos hasn’t left boarding completely and will continue to do some shifts in the boarding house. On behalf of all Boarding students, supervisors and parents, I thank Sarah for her loyal contribution to St Patrick’s College Boarding and wish her all the best in her new direction. For the rest of this term, Miss Alex will be the Senior Supervisor – Senior Years (Year 10-12) and Miss Amanda will be the Senior Supervisor – Junior Years (7-9).

It is my pleasure to welcome two new staff to our fabulous team of supervisors. Miss Megan is studying a Masters in Early Childhood and will be predominately working with our wonderful St Teresa girls. Miss Snow needs no introduction because she is already well loved by our students because she is a Teacher Aide in the day school. With Miss Snow and Miss Amos working in both areas, a greater connection between boarding and the school will be formed.

Supporting girls with their academics and learning with be my focus this term. The girls will be encouraged to attend tutorials for extra assistance. This term, we are implementing a peer tutoring program for girls in Year 7 – 9 and our Year 11 and 12 girls will trial a new study time after dinner.

Since returning, the girls favourite weekend activity has been, predictably, shopping. They have also loved being back on the Strand and enjoying Townsville’s amazing winter weather. Club sport has recommenced. Girls involved in touch, volleyball, union and league have started their fixtures and have been attending training sessions during the week. Starting this term, the girls must sign up for a least one afternoon fitness session per week. It is wonderful to see so many girls focussing on their health and fitness by participating in Miss Susan’s workout, doing PT with Dave, playing volleyball or walking/running Castle Hill.

Director of Students

Maria Franettovich

A warm welcome back to Semester 2. It has been delightful to see more of our College community return together.

Many of our students are enjoying our glorious winter and are appreciating the warmth of the sun during breaks, but as we all know the North Queensland sun is harsh, therefore it is vital that your daughters are wearing their hats. It has always been an expectation “that at St Pat’s we wear our hats”. Students not wearing hats are being asked to sit in a designated shady area.

I would like to ask parents/guardians to check that the uniform worn by their daughter meets the Uniform Policy detailed on page 101 of the Student Diary or as stated on the 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.

There seems to be some confusion with regards to sports uniform that I would like to clarify. All students wear sports uniform to school on a Friday. On Monday to Thursday, sports uniform is only worn to or from school if your daughter has a practical Physical Education lesson in the first two lessons in the morning or the last two lessons in the afternoon and catches a bus. Otherwise she is expected to change into her sports uniform during the break before her practical lesson and change back into her academic uniform in the break after her lesson. Sports uniforms should never be worn on a Wednesday to assembly.

You would have received notification that our Interhouse Athletics Carnival has been cancelled. Next Thursday, 6 August, students will have normal timetabled lessons in period one to three and activities to foster connections within their year level and House for the remainder of the day. Students will be required to wear the House colours on this day in accordance with the dress code guidelines for Free Dress Days on page 101 of the Student Diary.

Careers & VET News

Head of Faculty – Careers & VET

Catherine Rentoule

Conservatorium of Music Application Changes

The process for applying to study at Queensland Conservatorium in 2021 has changed. With the health and safety of applicants and staff in mind the audition process will now include a video audition component. Applications open 4 August through QTAC.

Application closing Dates:

Bachelor of Acting and Bachelor of Musical Theatre: 31 August

Bachelor of Music: 4 September

Audition requirements and helpful information on how to complete the application process are available at: griffith.edu.au/conservatorium-auditions.

Opening Dates Tertiary Application 2021 for current Year 12 students

Queensland: QTAC – 4 August, www.qtac.edu.au

Victoria: VTAC – 3 August, www.vtac.edu.au

New South Wales – 1 August, www.uac.edu.au

JCU Medicine/Dentistry and Veterinary Science programs require a written application and interview, please follow the link: https://www.jcu.edu.au/division-of-tropical-health-and-medicine/application-forms/domestic-applicants

Applications OPEN 4 August and CLOSE 30 September

Visit the Careers website https://www.stpatrickscollegetownsvillecareers.com/ for the latest information on:

Apprenticeships and Traineeships
Australian Defence Force
Career Exploration
Financial Assistance and Scholarships
Gap Year Program News
Interstate and International
Open Days, Expos and Career Markets
QTAC and Tertiary Entry
Universities

English & Languages

Head of Faculty – English

Amy Plumridge

2020 Annual Creative Writing Competition

The English department is delighted to accept submissions for the annual Creative Writing competition. This year’s theme is ‘Anything is possible’.

Submissions are due to me Monday of Week Eight – just under six weeks from now. Students in Years 7 to 9 are in the Junior division and should aim for 500-700 words. Students in Years 10 to 12 are in the Senior division and should aim for 800 to 1000 words.

The winner from each division will receive a $100 cash prize!

Inventive plots are wonderful but we all know the real skill is in the language and narration we choose to use. Consider figurative language, five senses writing and dialogue as absolutely essential. I will be posting information and tips through the learning hub all term and look forward to reading about what else is possible in 2020.

HPE & Sport

Head of Faculty – Health & Physical Education & Sport

Ben Williams

Year 7 Basketball

This term our Year 7 HPE students are undergoing a basketball practical unit. To assist with this we are lucky enough to have the Townsville Fire come in and help the girls with a few lessons across the term. The sessions are facilitated by the Townsville Fire’s s current Power Forward, Zitina Aokusa. The girls have loved the sessions so far which have included a mixture of drills, skills and mini games. The Fire’s development program will be visit a few more times throughout the term to work with all our Year 7 HPE cohort.

Rowing

Our rowing squad have started their season after much delay in a very different way. On Sunday 26 July, our St Patrick’s College Townsville rowers competed in the inaugural Townsville Interschool Ergo (Rowing machine) competition. Our junior girls participated in a mixed relay event with other rowers and competed fantastically with plenty of spirit and enjoyment. Our rowing captain, Lucia Rentoule, was onboard to help our juniors perform to the best of their ability at this competition. Our rowing squad now looks ahead to their first on water regatta of the season on August 9.

Water polo

Congratulations to Year 11 student Zara Dalton and Year 12 student Claudia Krause, who have both been selected for the NQ Schools Water Polo Championships to be held in September later this year.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

After securing an exclusive athletic sponsorship with BRAUS Fight, a global Brazilian Jiu Jitsu clothing and equipment brand, Year 9 student, Chloe Ferrara, will be heading to Byron Bay in September to compete at the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Australian Open. Chloe trains six days a week and has aspirations to coach and one day compete at World Championship level. We wish her the best of luck.

Netball

The St Patrick’s College Senior Netball team were incredibly excited to finally be back on the netball court after a long four months off. As with the start of the season back in March, the girls started with enthusiasm and determination. They worked extremely well together on court with tight defense, accurate shooting and strong leads down the mid-court. Unfortunately we did not take a win, however, with passion and grit during netball training hopefully we can come home with a win next week.

Congratulations must also go to the mixed St Patrick’s College junior teams who performed exceptionally well, especially considering this was their first game together for many of the girls. St Patrick’s College ‘White’ came out with a win and all other junior teams are to be commended on their efforts. Well done.

Humanities

Head of Faculty – Humanities

Kelli Chapman

7 Humanities – Water cycle terrariums

Year 7 Humanities have moved on to the Geography component of the course. Our focus this term is “Water in the World”. To see the water cycle in action, students have spent time creating their own terrariums. The moisture from both the soil and plants evaporates in the elevated temperatures inside the enclosed terrarium. This water vapor then condenses on the walls of the cups and eventually falls back to the plants and soil below, representing a completely natural water cycle.

Science & Technology

Head of Faculty – Science & Technology

Chris Pacey

Year 11 Marine Science

This term our Year 11 Marine Science students underwent their snorkel induction at Kokoda Pool. The activity gave students an opportunity to practice and demonstrate their skills required for snorkelling in preparation for their outer Great Barrier Reef trip later this term and then their Orpheus Island Research camp early in Term 4. Students were required to show overall swimming skills, correctly fit their mask, snorkel and fins, as well as learn the proper snorkel technique. The girls also practiced underwater research skills including laying quadrats, transect and writing underwater.

Year 12 Marine Science

Year 12 Marine Science students are exploring Fisheries this term and had the opportunity to get hands-on learning how fisheries biologist use the process of catching, marking and recapturing fish to estimate the sizes of populations. The girls collected samples from a crayfish tank, before drying them, marking them with a non-toxic marker, and then releasing them. A few days later, the students assessed the same population of crayfish, and counted the number of animals that were marked and unmarked. Back in the classroom, students used their data to estimate the total population and were very close to the correct number! (they estimated 105 animals and were only ten off the correct number).

Year 7 Science

Year 7 Science students have been getting very hands on this term as they launch into the wonderful world of physics. Students were introduced to forces and looked at how scientists measuring forces using Newton meters. Students are also investigating how friction effects the amount of force required to drag objects. The girls were amazed when they saw that a feather can fall at the same rate as a bowling ball in the right circumstances!

The Arts

Head of Department – Dramatic Arts & Performance

Alyssa Kelly

Drama and Dance students have begun working towards their Speech Night performance, with rehearsals happening at lunchtimes in the new Drama and Dance Studios.This performance will be a fusion of different styles of Dance and Physical Theatre to showcase some of the skills that students have been working on, both in class time and in Extra Curricular activities.

Theatre Residency Program

Four aspiring performers from St Patrick’s College Townsville have spent their school holidays participating in a week-long Theatre Residency Program. Emer Friel (Year 9), Aiva Tyrie (Year 9), Amaya Lejarraga (Year 10), Harper Weekers (Year 11) explored every element of performance from Shakespeare to special effects makeup, and everything in between. The girls are excited to put their experiences into action this term in their Performing Arts subjects.

SHINE

Earlier this year The Attic Theatrical held national auditions for their musical production ‘SHINE’. Year 7 student, Amelia Betcher, was selected as the only Queensland representative, and has been working tirelessly to perfect her performance which will take place online at the end of the month.

Captured@StPats Photography Club

We are exceptionally proud of the hard work, dedication and continuous creativity shown by all members of Captured@StPats Photography club. The girls have continued to submit high quality images via their online blog facilitated through the Learning Hub throughout the holidays.
We were delighted to hear that Year 7 photographer, Tara Marlborough, won the Australian Catholics Young Journalist Award 2020 for the Intermediate Photo Journalism Section.
Year 8 photographer, Ella-Paige Rizos was also shortlisted for several photos in Taronga Zoo’s ‘Wild Snap’s competition.
This term the girls are working towards short videos featuring snippets of daily footage, as well as several portraiture challenges.

Head of Department – Visual Arts & Exhibitions

Harriet Geater-Johnson

Year 11 Visual Art – the Percivals at The Perc Tucker Regional Gallery

Thank you to the Perc Tucker Regional Gallery for allowing our Year 11 Visual Art students to visit the Percivals. Until recently the exhibition was virtual-online only but a recent easing of restrictions allowed the girls to visit. The show had an exciting variety of works from the portrait, photography and animal portrait prizes and has helped the girls to consider the different techniques, processes and materials artists use in their practices.

Year 12 VAP Wearable Art

Our Year 12 Visual Arts in Practice (VAP) Students have spent this week completing their Wearable Art pieces and photographing their work in the new drama studio.

The girls are excited to share their final photos with the College in the near future. Watch this space!

Head of Department – Music & Performance

Johnathon Goulter

With a new term underway, excitement surrounds the Music department. The students have returned, finding joy and making music together in our fabulous new East Precinct facility.

Year 7 students are delving into new repertoire using the ‘lah pentatonic’ scale while Year 8 students are exploring different genres of pop music. Year 9 students are performing various pieces from famous movies, TV shows and musicals; and Year 10 are learning different style of accompanying themselves while senior students prepare for external exams and musicology presentations.

Ensembles are in full swing now tacking new repertoire and getting for a large scale collaboration project. It is great to see all the students and ensembles progress throughout the year and watch them continually improve.

I leave you with a little quote after attending a ‘BiggerBetterBrains’ course discussing music education it affects on the brain

Hospitality

Camille Flores

This term we have been over the moon to begin working in our new East Precinct kitchen facilities. The state-of-the-art kitchen has everything our girls need in a professional pace to support their culinary creativity.

Our junior girls will be exploring children’s nutrition this term and working towards a children’s party. Butterfly cream cakes were a fantastic first cook, with the girls then moving onto creative ways of combining healthy food and fun to engage children.

Senior hospitality students are currently working on a street-food unit. The girls have enjoyed cooking fried rice and have just completed their assessment cooking a noodle dish.

Library News

Library Coordinator

Marie Jerome

What an incredible start to the term, to see the look on our staff and student’s faces as they passed through the new Library doors for the first time, eyes wide, taking in the amazing space we have been blessed with. This was a moment of pure joy and the new library space has been embraced in all its beauty and practicality. I am so proud of everyone treating the space with grace and gratitude.

This week marks an exciting turn of events, maker spaces will be occurring in the Library for the celebration of Catholic Education week, Rosary Beads and book mark making are on the agenda. This will be the start of a long tradition of creativity and collaboration for our Library. Stay tuned for further events. To add to the excitement, the Library Club will be starting this week as well as the Chess Club, there are so many ways to enjoy our new Library!

Located on the Circulation Desk is now a Research Computer, when you have assignments, I am available to guide you in your research utilising our Database and Non-Fiction collection, don’t hesitate to visit when you get a new assignment, preparation is the key! I am also available to assist you in referencing your work.

What does a new Library need? New books! We have added a great many new books to our collection, you can find them on display near the photocopiers. The latest great read is a graphic-novel mystery adventure in which a girl and boy uncover the secret that has corrupted their seaside town.

Book of the week

Miro and Zia live in Aurora, a fishing town nestled in the shadow of an ancient castle. Miro lives in his books; Zia is never without her camera. The day they meet, they uncover a secret. The fishing works, the castle, the town council: all are linked to an ill-fated 1930s Antarctic expedition. But the diary of that journey has been hidden and the sea is stirring up unusual creatures. Something has a powerful hold over the town. With Zia determined to find out more, Miro finds himself putting aside his books for a real adventure. The Inkberg Enigma is an exciting adventure with a strong filmic narrative found in the Graphic Novel section now!

College Notices

Student Absences

A reminder to all families in the event that your daughter is absent from school, please phone the Student Absences line on 4753 0377.

Elevate Education – Free Parent Webinar

Event Title: Elevate Education – Motivation
Date: Tuesday 4 August
Time: 6pm AEST
Duration: 1 hour
Cost: Free
CLICK HERE TO RESERVE YOUR SEAT