By Mrs Liz Illingworth, Principal

At St Patrick’s College, our value of Catholic Identity means putting Jesus at the heart of our words and actions. We show kindness, include others, and look for ways to serve, just as Jesus taught us. Through prayer, liturgy, and caring for one another, we live our faith every day.

Week 3 of this term was Catholic Education Week and this was an opportunity for us to really celebrate our value of Catholic Identity. Three events allowed opportunities for growth, celebration, listening, research and discernment.

CELEBRATING

Approximately 50 of our students attended the Catholic Education Week Mass with students from the Northern Catholic Schools. This Mass was a celebration of who we are as Catholic Schools and what makes us unique and special. In his final week as Archbishop of Tasmania, Archbishop Porteous spoke to the students about Jesus always loving them - no matter what - and that Jesus will always be by their side. “I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20). Our students as always participated in Mass by involvement in the procession, reading, singing and responding.

The Catholic Education Week Awards each year are an opportunity to celebrate the amazing staff and friends of Catholic Education who support our students, to have the amazing opportunities they have, to become the best version of themselves.

This year five of our staff were recognised for their Service to Catholic Education. Matthew McGee, Stephen Boag, Karen Dennis, Maria Bassett and Adrian Viney have each given 25 years of dedicated, professional, kind, caring, compassionate and innovative service to students. We appreciate each of them and are grateful for what they have contributed to St Patrick's College and to Catholic Education Tasmania.

Thank you and congratulations to Matthew, Stephen, Karen, Maria and Adrian!

Fiona Mowat (Fizz) received an award for Outstanding Service to Catholic Education as an Employee. Any of you who have had students involved in our Instrumental Program would know of the work that Fizz does in supporting our students and those in the Launceston Catholic Primary Schools to participate in an incredible Music Program and to each grow in confidence as they master their instrument. Only recently Fizz took our Drumline away to the Nationals where they placed 2nd in the Test Item and 3rd in their Choice Item in Australia.

Thank you and congratulations Fizz!

If you would like to read about any of our staff celebrated here, visit this link to find out more about them and why they do what they do.

Last week, our College was privileged to host The Man of the Shroud display, an exhibition exploring the history, science, and spiritual significance of the Shroud of Turin. The display offered our students a meaningful opportunity to engage with one of the most intriguing relics in Christian tradition, deepening their appreciation of our Catholic Identity and its rich heritage. At the same time, students were encouraged to explore the information presented, ask questions, and form their own thoughtful conclusions. This balance of faith and inquiry reflects our commitment to fostering both spiritual growth and critical thinking in our learning community.

Thank you so much to our Directory of Catholic Identity and Mission - Mr Adrian Viney for his work alongside Leanne Pritchard and Martin Tobin from Catholic Education Tasmania.

This week, our College Captains Fletcher Crosswell and Georgia Millwood along with myself attended the Installation of Archbishop Tony Ireland and were also lucky enough to be invited to meet him during the Mass. It was exciting to see Year 11 student Mitchell Campbell altar serve for this special occasion. We look forward to Archbishop Ireland working with our Catholic Schools over this next period.

Archbishop Tony said as part of his Sermon: “I would like to be a bishop for the people, I would like to serve the people, I would like to come and love the people and I would like to be a faithful ambassador for Christ”. He mentioned the importance of “People over programs, accompaniment over instruction, presence over efficiency, joy over anxiety” and he said, “joy, friends, is magnetic".

We look forward to the leadership of Archbishop Tony Ireland.

By Mrs Liz Illingworth, Principal

Uniform

Enrolment at St Patrick’s College comes with a commitment to the Policies of Catholic Education Tasmania and the Protocols of St Patrick’s College. Our Uniform Protocol is clear and concise. Please ensure that you are supporting your student(s) to adhere to these policies and protocols.

🚫 Snus: Small Pouch, Big Risks

We have become aware of the growing use of snus among young people. Snus is a smokeless tobacco product, often packaged in small pouches placed under the lip. While it may appear to be a safer alternative to smoking or vaping, it still contains high levels of nicotine and can be highly addictive. Its use is linked to serious health risks, including damage to oral health, increased risk of certain cancers, and potential harm to the developing brain. Snus can be discreet and easy to conceal, making it harder for parents and schools to detect. We encourage families to talk openly with their children about the risks of nicotine in all its forms and to remain vigilant for signs of use. Snus is an illicit product for those under 18 years of age and use at the College will fall under our Illicit Drug Protocol.

We are hoping a proactive approach from all will support our young people in avoiding the use of Snus.

By Mrs Lindsey Hills, Deputy Principal - Learning and Achievement

As part of our ongoing Insight Into Learning professional development journey, our teachers commenced a CET led program called System Sprints at the start of Term 3. Based on the work of education expert Dr Simon Breakspear, System Sprints supports teachers to apply research-based, high impact teaching strategies in practical and sustainable ways.

This next phase of our commitment to excellent teaching practice involves teachers practicing strategies in manageable cycles, reflecting on their impact, and adjusting their teaching accordingly. Like professionals in any field, teachers benefit from regular feedback and refinement of their skills. We look forward to our students reaping the benefits of this continued commitment to excellence.

By Mrs Lindsey Hills, Deputy Principal - Learning and Achievement

Throughout the first three weeks of Term 3, Year 10 and Year 11 students and their parents/guardians participated in Pathway Planning Interviews in preparation for 2026 subject selections. These sessions offered individualised guidance for students considering a range of academic and vocational pathways. We have also spent Week 3 and 4 offering our Year 9 students personalised advice on their subject selections for Year 10. We thank all students and families who engaged in this important process and encourage students to continue accessing support through our Future Pathways team at careers@stpatricks.tas.edu.au.

In Week 4 of Term 3, the College held Subject Information Evenings to assist students in making informed subject selections for 2026. This provided students and parents an opportunity to speak to subject teachers and Heads of Learning about subject offerings and future pathways.

Subject selections for students in Years 7-11 opened this week and will close in Week 5, one week from the date of the relevant Subject Information Evening.

Updated Subject Selection Guides are available on Schoolbox for your perusal.

By Mrs Lindsey Hills, Deputy Principal - Learning and Achievement

We are pleased to share a snapshot of our 2025 NAPLAN results, which continue to reflect the strong academic performance of our students across key literacy and numeracy areas. This was the third year of NAPLAN’s updated format, which includes an earlier testing window in March and a new four-band achievement scale: Exceeding, Strong, Developing, and Needs Additional Support.

In both Year 7 and Year 9, our students performed consistently above state and national averages in nearly all domains, including Numeracy, Reading, Writing, Spelling, and Grammar & Punctuation.

Highlights from this year’s results include:

• Year 7 Numeracy: School mean of 545.4, significantly above the Tasmanian (515.6) and Australian (539.8) means.

• Year 9 Writing: Outstanding results with a school mean of 594.5, well above both the state and national averages.
  

• Year 9 Reading: Continued strength with a school mean of 577.4, exceeding state and national performance.
  

• Year 7 Grammar & Punctuation: Above the national mean and well above the Tasmanian mean.

These results are particularly pleasing and represent a positive trend across the past three years, with St Patrick’s College consistently performing at or above state and national averages in all key NAPLAN domains. They reflect the commitment of our staff and students to high-impact teaching and learning, and the College’s ongoing focus on academic excellence.

NAPLAN reports were posted to families in Week 2 and are also available on Schoolbox with your child’s Academic Reports. If you have any questions after reviewing the report, please contact your child’s teacher, the Heads of Learning for English or Mathematics, or the relevant Director of Curriculum.

By Ms Jodie White, Future Pathways Coordinator

Mainland University Application Information 2025

To apply to mainland universities, you need to apply in the state where you want to go to university.

For mainland university applications, you need to go through a Tertiary Admissions Centre for each state and make an account before you apply. There are one off application fees for each Tertiary Admissions Centre which vary from each state.

Applying in more states can INCREASE your chances of getting a place, because you can nominate the maximum number of preferences in each state. This is particularly important if you are considering a competitive course, like medicine or law.

*MAIN ENTRY dates - standard admission reliant on ATAR

EARLY ENTRY dates - check with individual universities regarding available Early Entry Programs

You will need the following information to create an account:

• USI - Government requirement that all students planning to study at university or VET programs need a USI: https://www.usi.gov.au
• TASC ID – required for all university applications
• Personal email account – do not use your SPC email for applications as it expires at the end of the year

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Early Entry or School Recommendation Programs

• Check with individual universities regarding available Early Entry and School Recommendation Programs
• Check prerequisites and entry requirements - they all differ from each university; some offer direct applications, while others require Tertiary Admissions Centre registration

Apply for SEAS (Special Entry Access Scheme) - eligible for Tasmanian Students

SEAS adjusts your ATAR in recognition of circumstances that may have affected your education. This gives you a better chance of getting an offer for the course you want.

NOTE: All schools in Tasmania are located in regional or remote areas (SEAS Category 1) based on the Australian Statistical Geography Standard - Remoteness Areas.

You may be eligible if you satisfy the criteria for one or more of the SEAS categories:

• Category 1: Personal Information

Indigenous Australian
Born in a non-English-speaking country and moved to Australia after 1 January 2015
Live in a low socio-economic area
Attend a school in a regional or remote location
First in family to attend university
Aged 21 or older on 1 January 2025

• Category 2: Financial Disadvantage
• Category 3: Disability or Medical Condition
• Category 4: Difficult Circumstances

Experienced difficult personal circumstances
Being a refugee or asylum seeker

Applications for SEAS are made through the Tertiary Admissions Centre for each state.

Resources

The Good Universities Guide - https://www.gooduniversitiesgu...

Course Seeker - https://www.courseseeker.edu.au/

UNIVERSITY INFORMATION

2025 University Open Days

2025 University Early Entry

By Ms Jodie White, Future Pathways Coordinator

Tasmania Football Club is proud to announce the expansion of the Tasmania Academy of Leadership and Sport (TALS) to Launceston in 2026, a significant milestone in the Club’s commitment to education and career development opportunities across the state.

Designed to create real-world career pathways for young Tasmanians, the Academy offers a unique blend of classroom learning and industry immersion, tailored specifically to careers in the sports sector.

Delivered in partnership with TasTAFE (RTO 60142) and supported by AFL Tasmania, Tasmania JackJumpers, Cricket Tasmania, and Netball Tasmania, the program is already kicking goals with 55 students participating in the inaugural 12-month diploma program.

Now, with strong demand and growing interest from across the state, TALS will launch a second campus in Launceston from February 2026.

The Launceston campus will provide students with the opportunity to study a nationally recognised TasTAFE Diploma of Leadership and Management (BSB50420) and Diploma of Sport (SIS50321).

The course provides direct links to professional clubs and sporting bodies, over 100-hours of structured placement, and regular masterclasses with leading figures in sport and business.

Graduates will also be eligible for direct entry and academic credit into select University of Tasmania degrees.

Expressions of interest for the 2026 program can be made via www.tasacademy.com.au

Tasmania Academy of Leadership and Sport

Information Sessions – Launceston

Register for one of our upcoming information sessions to learn more about how you can study at the Tasmania Academy of Leadership and Sport.

Dates:
Wednesday, August 20
Wednesday, September 10

Times:
5:30pm - 6:30pm

Venue:
Player Room, Carlton Draught Stand, UTAS Stadium
(Enter via Gate 1)

RSVP

By Ms Jodie White, Future Pathways Coordinator

For more information, visit: https://www.utas.edu.au/study/...

By Ms Jodie White, Future Pathways Coordinator

Visit us at our Open Day 2025 events

Going to University is an exciting time. Understanding what to expect and how to navigate this new environment can help you make the most of your experience. Come and join us for hands-on activities, tours and talks.

Sydney ( Rozelle ) - Saturday 6 September
Hobart - Sunday 14 September
Launceston - Sunday 21 September
Burnie - Sunday 19 October

Find out more and register here

By Ms Jodie White, Future Pathways Coordinator

To find out more, visit: https://www.adfcareers.gov.au/...

By Ms Jodie White, Future Pathways Coordinator

To be eligible for a bursary, applicants must:

• Have a Northern Midlands home address
• Be enrolled in Year 10
• Intend to pursue further education or training (including apprenticeships) for at least two years post-Year 10.

Applicants are assessed on economic need, their passion for pursuing a further education/training pathway, and their community and school achievements to date.

5 bursaries offered – each bursary is valued at $2000.00

A hard copy can be requested by contacting the Council on 6397 7303.

Applications close 5pm Friday 19 September 2025.

Application attached or call into Future Pathways to collect an application form.

Northern Midlands Bursary Application Form 2025

By Ms Jodie White, Future Pathways Coordinator

The Co-Curricular Arts Team (Mr Rice, Ms Neeling & Miss Fawcett) are delighted to invite you to the Co-Curricular Arts Showcase on Tuesday 23 September 2025, held in the Arts Area at St Patrick’s College. This showcase will feature a variety of visual, mixed media and performance art created by our talented students in the schools Drama and Art Clubs.

Please join us as we celebrate their creative achievements.

RSVP by Monday 16 September to your child's respective club leader.

Next week celebrate Book Week 2025 at the St Mary MacKillop Library.

Have an adventure with us by spinning for a random book to explore new worlds, and answer our adventure-based questions so that they can go on display for all to see!

Join us to mark 80 years of Australian stories with the Children's Book Council of Australia, show your love of reading, and start an adventure of your own.

Our students are kicking goals in their sporting endeavours! Learn more about their recent triumphs through the Facebook links below.

Harry Blyth recently completed the second National Indigenous Performance Camp (NIPC) - see more here
Paige O'Neill, MVP of the Netball Tasmania Opens Grand Final - see more here
Sam Husband, one of Tassie’s two newest All Australians - see more here
Harrison Millwood, winner of the Tasmania Devils Talent Pathway U16 Boys Coaches Award - see more here
Aya Cottam, runner-up in the Tasmania Devils Talent Pathway U16 Girls Best and Fairest - see more here

Congratulations to our students!

By Mrs Janelle Mannion, Director of Pastoral Care - Croagh Patrick

On Tuesday 29 July, 50 Year 9 student leaders attended a full-day leadership workshop titled "Maximising the Badge" at Croagh Patrick. The program, facilitated by the renowned organisation Y-Lead, was designed to equip our students with the essential skills and mindset required for effective leadership within our community and beyond.

The immersive workshop provided students with invaluable insights into the core components of leadership. Key lessons focused on:

• Resilience and Adaptability: The ability to navigate setbacks with a sense of humor and grace.

• Collaborative Vision: The importance of uniting around a shared purpose to achieve collective goals.

• Leveraging Strengths: The recognition that a leader's success is defined by their ability to harness and utilise the unique talents of every team member.

• Proactive Problem-Solving: The understanding that effective leaders focus on finding solutions rather than assigning blame.

It was truly inspiring to witness our students engage with the day's challenges and discussions with such remarkable positivity and a proactive attitude. Their enthusiastic participation in both team-building exercises and strategic brainstorming sessions was a testament to their readiness to embrace leadership within our College.

We extend our sincere gratitude to each student for their willingness to step into this leadership capacity and, most importantly, for their commitment to leading the Croagh Patrick community by embodying our mission of servant leadership.