{"id":6473,"date":"2026-02-06T15:15:35","date_gmt":"2026-02-06T05:15:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/spc-townsville\/?post_type=article&p=6473"},"modified":"2026-02-06T08:50:17","modified_gmt":"2026-02-05T22:50:17","slug":"from-the-college-principal-18","status":"publish","type":"article","link":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/spc-townsville\/article\/from-the-college-principal-18\/","title":{"rendered":"FROM THE COLLEGE PRINCIPAL"},"content":{"rendered":"

I hope the commencement of the 2026 academic year has begun as smoothly as possible for all our returning and incoming students and families.<\/p>\n

2025 SENIOR OUTCOMES<\/strong><\/p>\n

May I take this opportunity to congratulate our 2025 Senior cohort on their outcomes, with the vast majority of students achieving their first preference of study. It was wonderful to celebrate their collective achievements at the recent Scholars’ Assembly.<\/span><\/p>\n

I also congratulate our 2025 Academic Award winners across Years 10-12. The recognition of academic achievement and effort will remain a focus at the College, and we see this as central to the preservation of a culture which values learning outcomes and efforts.<\/p>\n

CAPITAL WORKS<\/strong><\/p>\n

Those returning to the College may notice the commencement and completion of capital works projects that unfolded during the pupil free period. Over that time, the decking outside Caf\u00e9 by the Sea was restored, and ongoing works are taking place in the upstairs section of St Theresa\u2019s Boarding House. The College is also intending to commence works throughout Term 1 and Term 2, upgrading the old Mercy Rose Room, Health Centre and Boarding Reception. We will continue to keep members of the College community abreast of these developments as they progress.\u00a0<\/p>\n

WELCOME TO NEW STAFF AND STUDENTS<\/strong><\/p>\n

The start of Term 1 is always busy, but this year, particularly so. During the pupil free period in January, College staff returned, completing a wide range of professional development and compliance responsibilities. We also onboarded a number of new staff including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a><\/td>\nPatrick Morrow<\/strong>
\nDeputy Principal – Operations, Staff & Community<\/td>\n		\"\"<\/a><\/td>\n\n

Jo Gilmore<\/strong>
\nAssistant Dean of Boarding – Academic<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/td>\n\n

Jason Bennett<\/strong>
\nHead of Year 7<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/td>\nYana Hurst<\/strong>
\nHead of House – Dominations<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"<\/a><\/td>\nMaria Franettovich<\/strong>
\nHead of Department – Food Technology<\/td>\n		\"\"<\/a><\/td>\nMichelle Scott<\/strong>
\nInclusive Education Case Manager – Years 9 to 12<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"<\/a><\/td>\nMegan Shackell<\/strong>
\nInclusive Education Case Manager – Year 8<\/td>\n		\"\"<\/a><\/td>\nMichelle Harrison<\/strong>
\nTeacher<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"<\/a><\/td>\nBen Quirk<\/strong>
\nTeacher<\/td>\n		\"\"<\/a><\/td>\nKris Farmer<\/strong>
\nTeacher<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"<\/a><\/td>\nSharna Alloway<\/strong>
\nTeacher<\/td>\n		\"\"<\/a><\/td>\nRebecca Kadvany<\/strong>
\nTeacher<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"<\/a><\/td>\nKaylah Dobbie<\/strong>
\nResidential Leader<\/td>\n		\"\"<\/a><\/td>\nNicole Brady<\/strong>
\nResidential Leader<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"<\/a><\/td>\nTalitha Smith<\/strong>
\nResidential Leader<\/td>\n		\n

Joanne McCluskey<\/strong>
\nInstrumental Music Teacher – Guitar & Bass<\/p>\n

Simone Hale<\/b>
\n<\/strong>Facilities Manager<\/p>\n

Hennie Venter<\/strong>
\nMaintenance Officer<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\u00a0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

We know that the quality of staffing at any school makes a significant difference to the wellbeing and outcomes of young people, and we look forward to continuing to make our new staff feel very much part of the St Patrick\u2019s College Townsville community. I know that you will join me in making them all feel very welcome.<\/p>\n

It was also wonderful to welcome back our Year 12 students and commission them as Senior leaders \u2013 I have every confidence in their leadership and know them to be an impressive group of young women. It was also a pleasure to induct our largest Year 7 cohort into the College, commencing their education in the Mercy tradition. No matter how old one gets, \u2018firsts\u2019 remain memorable. I recall my own first day of high school, and the comfort and reassurance I found, not only in the Mercy sisters, but in the wonderful staff and students who reassured me, and pointed me in the right direction when support was needed. We fully understand that this can be a daunting time for our incoming students, and hope that our induction and connection events with Senior Sisters, can enhance a sense of belonging, support and reassurance. I would encourage any parent whose young person is struggling to reach out to us, so that we work in partnership to enhance transition.<\/p>\n

PARENT INFORMATION SESSIONS TO SUPPORT EFFECTIVE TRANSITION<\/strong><\/p>\n

Transition however, is not something reserved for students alone. At St Patrick\u2019s College Townsville, we strive to ensure a quality partnership with parents, as we work collectively to provide a well-rounded and high quality education for young people. We recognise that starting well and building routines will be extremely important to the academic outcomes of young people, and in turn, their sense of achievement and wellbeing. This year, we have added a number of parent information sessions at the start of the term, with the aim of providing parents the necessary information to support their daughter\u2019s academic journey. These sessions have been tailored to each year level. Broadly, they will build parent understanding of the study skills students should be developing at each year level, along with expectations in relation to homework, assessment and feedback. Senior school sessions will outline Senior protocols required by QCAA. Our aim is to ensure high quality information, so that parents understand why and how we work with young people in the way that we do. While the Senior sessions have already occurred, we would warmly encourage all parents of Year 8 and 9, and Year 7, to attend respective sessions on:<\/p>\n