Founders' Day & The Opening of The Penola Innovation Centre
By Mrs Liz Illingworth, Principal
Today we celebrated Founders' Day as a community and officially opened the Penola Innovation Centre and Ballygriffin Cafe.
We were honoured to welcome Archbishop Anthony, who blessed and opened our new facilities on this special day, which each year invites us to reflect on our founders.
Founders' Day is an opportunity to acknowledge Mary MacKillop, Julian Tenison Woods, Nano Nagle, and Edmund Rice — visionaries who devoted their lives to the growth and wellbeing of others. Remembering their example reminds us of our history and inspires us to continue fostering these same values in our young people, in partnership with you.
After our assembly, students enjoyed an extended lunch break, sharing food provided by our Student Leaders, listened to live music from our talented music students, and cheered on competitors in the Staff vs Students games. The day concluded with Tutor Group activities that encouraged participation, connection, and community spirit.
Ascent Celebration & Graduation
By Mrs Liz Illingworth, Principal
Ascent is our Outreach and Formation Program, inspired by our founders and grounded in Gospel values. Its core purpose is to reach out to others and, in doing so, bring both self and others to fullness of life.
The way we reach out is shaped by the stories and charisms of our founders:
Edmund Rice: “Give to the poor in handfuls.”
Mary MacKillop and Julian Tenison Woods: “Live simply, travel lightly and make room for all.”
Nano Nagle: “Love one another as you have hitherto done. Spend yourselves for the poor.”
Across three classes (AY10, AY11 and AY12) our Student Leaders have embraced this call, deepening their understanding of service, leadership and community.
Last Thursday evening, our Ascent students and their families gathered in the Chapel for our End-of-Year Celebration. Students shared their stories of growth and reflected on how the program has shaped them as compassionate leaders. We also farewelled our Year 12 graduates, acknowledging their commitment, service and example to others.
The evening was also a chance to thank the staff who journey alongside our students, especially Jack Prosser, who leads the program with such dedication. The ongoing success of Ascent is made possible through their care and guidance, and we are deeply grateful.
Year 7 2026
By Mrs Liz Illingworth, Principal
Over recent years, we have had increasing enrolment pressure for entry at Year 7. In consultation with our College Advisory Board, Leadership Team and Catholic Education Tasmania, St Patrick's has been approved to take an extra Year 7 class in 2026. We are excited by this opportunity to provide a Catholic education to an extended group of young people and their families.
Returning to St Patrick's College in Term 4
By Mrs Liz Illingworth, Principal
We thank you all for your ongoing support of our College and for trusting us with your young people. We hope the next two weeks allow our students some time to rest and prepare for the final term.
Classes commence for our Year 11 and Year 12 students on Monday 13 October 2025. Students in Years 7-10 will commence on Tuesday 14 October 2025.
Once we return to classes for Term 4 our Year 11 and 12 students have only a short time to complete their studies and commence preparation for the exam period.
We look forward to seeing everyone back at the College soon!
Learning & Achievement
Performing Arts - Melbourne Excursion
By Mrs Mallory Schipper
Our Year 11/12 performing arts students recently embarked on an exciting two day trip to Melbourne, immersing themselves in the vibrant arts and cultural scene of the city. The trip provided students with invaluable exposure to professional theatre, university programs, and the broader performing arts industry.
Highlights included a tour of the Victorian College of the Arts, a behind the scenes workshop at the Malthouse Theatre, and an unforgettable evening at MJ the Musical.
The trip offered students valuable insight into professional theatre, creative processes, and performing arts opportunities.
Girls Engineering the Skies – Launceston Airport Excursion
By Mr Luc Norton-Smith - Head of Learning - Maths & Science (Yrs 7-8)
On Friday 12 September, a group of enthusiastic Year 8 students from St Patrick’s College took part in Girls Engineering the Skies (GETS) at Launceston Airport. This exciting initiative, delivered in partnership with Cool Aeronautics and Tristar Aviation, was designed to inspire young women to explore the possibilities of careers in aviation and engineering.
The day began with presentations from industry professionals, including representatives from Airport Operations, Aviation Rescue Firefighting, Tristar instructors, and Air Traffic Control. Students gained insights into the diverse roles that keep an airport running smoothly before breaking into groups for tours and morning tea.
One of the highlights was the Cool Aeronautics Design Challenge, where students worked in teams to design, build, and test lightweight wooden aircraft using only limited tools and materials. Creativity and problem-solving were on full display as planes were trialled in both drop tests and flying races.
After lunch, students toured the Sharp Airlines hangar to meet engineers and mechanics, explored the interiors of service planes, and engaged with the Royal Flying Doctor Service team. They also had the rare opportunity to climb the air traffic control tower, observing take-offs and learning how flight details are tracked and communicated.
The experience left a strong impression on participants:
“Overall my experience on Friday was really good and I learnt new things that I never knew about,” reflected Zali Ryan.
Layla Wesley noted, “The day was very engaging from start to finish, and everyone had a blast. Meeting industry professionals made the possibilities in this career path feel more tangible.”
Ella Farquhar highlighted the inspiration she drew from the people she met: “This was an incredible opportunity to talk to people who are passionate about their work… Overall, it was an inspiring experience.”
For Jasmine Ho, exploring the planes was a standout: “My highlights were being able to physically go into an airplane… and seeing the cockpit and the controls involved. I am very grateful to have been able to come on this amazing trip.”
This excursion not only showcased the many career pathways in aviation but also encouraged our students to think big, ask questions, and imagine themselves as part of the future of this exciting industry.
Bring Your Own Device to School – JB Hi-Fi Education Purchase Portal
By Mr Matthew McGee - Director of Digital Learning
Music Co-curricular
Tasmanian Catholic Schools Music Festival
By Elyse Campbell
On September 16, several bands from the St Patrick’s College music department journeyed down to Guilford Young College in Hobart for the day to celebrate the practice of music between the Catholic Schools in Tasmania.
This is the first time this event has taken place, and due to the success of this year's turnout, the schools are hoping to make this an annual event (in which even more schools will come in the years to come). The bands included Concert Band, Big Band, Junior Jazz, Development Band and Intermediate Band, and the students within these bands were eager to showcase their skills to staff, students and special guests attending the event.
Each of the ensembles were given an adjudication for their performance. Overall, the day was a great success and was very enjoyable with new connections being made between Tasmanian Catholic schools and students.
Administration & Community
College Uniform Shop - Holiday Trading Hours
Student Achievements
Clarice Kirschbaum has been competing this week in the national Youth Volleyball Championships in Perth.
Tim Innes, has been selected as a Runner-Up in the Catholic Schools Guide Find the Treasure Competition.
Amilie Courtney has been shortlisted for the ABC Heywire Competition. Below is a snippet of her writing:
A Library of Memories
My notebooks are scattered across the desk - none in any real order. Each cover is battered and cluttered with stickers and scribbled logos from conferences I barely recall. The oldest journal is a spiral-bound A5 from Typo with its corners peeling, given to me by my mum. The cover wears a faded map of New York City. Dots sprawl across it in blue, red and green. Each one marks a moment from a Broadway musical, the size showing just how much that scene mattered. To anyone else it would look like chaos. But I know the code. Blue dot at 42nd Street.
Flip to page nineteen and you’ll find a date that leads to a pseudonym, which takes you to a hospital note, then to a podcast episode I played on the walk home. The connections tangle and loop back on themselves. It is a perfect mess that only I can follow.
By Amilie Courtney - Year 11. ABC Heywire shortlisted piece.
Congratulations to our students!
Sport Co-curricular
Rowing Camp 2025
By Mr Adam Symons - Head of Rowing
Friday 19 September saw our rowing squad head off to Lake Barrington on a rainy morning, ready to start camp. We arrived with some rain clouds above, but reasonably pleasant conditions to unload equipment and prepare for our first training sessions.
After a spot of lunch we hit the water - with some of our team experiencing the Lake for the first time. The winds were blowing and the rain was trying its hardest to dampen our efforts, but we managed to get some quality technique training in, before calling off the rest of the on-water sessions for the day. We filed into the dining hall ready to devour the first of many tasty meals prepared by our parent helpers. The night was finished off with ping pong tournaments, watching a movie or resting in our cabins.
The next morning the weather started to get the better of us; only one morning session was possible before the wind got too difficult to put up with, and we relaxed some more before lunch. In the afternoon, we formed random teams across all age groups for what is becoming a rowing camp tradition - an erg-run-swim triathlon - although this year the swim leg was dropped as I don’t think anyone wanted to brave the water temperature that day! Everyone got quite into the spirit, working well with each other and creating friendly rivalries among all. After this, the water conditions had calmed down enough to get back in the boats for a final session for the day before dinner. Another wonderful dinner and some more ping pong saw everyone down for the night, ready for an early start.
Thankfully Sunday was a much more pleasant day at the Lake. All rowers, coaches, and a few parents jumped into rowing shells and tinnies for a 6am row to the waterfall. Again the rowers were mixed across ages and genders, giving a fantastic opportunity to row with people other than one’s normal group, forming closer bonds across our team. We were rewarded with the waterfall in a great flow - some seniors in singles braving the spray to get up close. After rowing back to the pontoons, we headed to the hall for a hearty breakfast of pancakes and muffins, cleaned up cabins, then headed out for one more session on the calm Lake. A spot of lunch, packing up all our gear, then camp was over for another year (aside from unpacking the boats at home!).
A massive thank you to all our helpers over the weekend; the parent catering team for organising and preparing such awesome food all weekend, the coaches and tinny drivers, and parents helping to pack and unpack all of our things. It takes a number of people to run our rowing camp, and myself and all our rowers are deeply grateful for everyone’s assistance.
Swim Report
By Mrs Elizabeth Steven - PIC Swimming
The swimming season has concluded for another year, and we celebrate the efforts of the over 40 swimmers who represented the College at the NSATIS and SATIS competitions.
The lead-up to both competitions presented a challenge to our team, and we made two trips to the Launceston Aquatic Centre due to a pool closure at St Patrick’s College. Thankfully, the pool was back in operation before SATIS, and the team was able to have a training session on home ground.
NSATIS Success
NSATIS saw several school records fall, proving that consistent training pays off.
Records broken at NSATIS:
• Jack McLean (50 & 100 Freestyle)
• Charlie Langridge (50 Breaststroke)
• Cooper Reeve (50 Freestyle, Backstroke, Butterfly)
• Timothy Innes (100 Freestyle)
• Isabel Perry (50 Freestyle, Breaststroke, Backstroke & 100 Freestyle)
The team came away with U/13 Boys & U/15 Girls Pennants and the Junior Boys shield. They should be proud of their efforts on the day, as St Patrick’s College were close runners-up for the remaining shields. Details of records will be posted on the Swimming Schoolbox page and in the College Yearbook.
SATIS Triumphs and College Records
SATIS was held three weeks later, and we came home with the U/15 and U/16 Girls’ Pennants. Performances by our swimmers saw St Patrick’s College again finish in the top five for many shields. We are confident that the team will continue to build on their strengths in the coming years.
College long course records were broken at SATIS by:
• Olivia Hinds in the U16 Girls breaststroke with a time of 35.04.
• Cooper Reeve in the U15 Boys butterfly event in a time of 28.89.
Team Spirit and Celebration
A thank you is extended to all swimmers, especially those who swam in older divisions or in events that were not their favourites. It is this positive team attitude that carries the entire team into a competitive position when points are tallied.
The annual Awards Breakfast is due to be held on 22/10 – the second Wednesday of Term 4, at CUBE AQUA. Please see our Swimming Schoolbox page for details. Age champions and runners-up will be announced at this event, as will the winners of the ‘Swimming Excellence’ and ‘Commitment’ awards, in addition to two new 'Team Spirit’ awards. Mr McLaughlin and Mrs Steven are looking forward to celebrating with the team.
Westbury/ St Patricks Shamrocks Cricket Club
Future Pathways
Employment, Traineeships & University Information
By Ms Jodie White, Future Pathways Coordinator
Cadet Forester Program ASBA
The Cadet Forester Program (ASbA) is a Certificate II in Forest Operations and is the first step on the pathway to a diverse career in Forest Management in an industry which will play an important role in climate change, now and into the future.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
The Cadet Forester Program (ASbA) is a Certificate II in Forest Operations and is the first step on the pathway to a diverse career in Forest Management in an industry which will play an important role in climate change, now and into the future. This Certificate II in Forest Operations includes the following training units: * Work effectively in the forest and wood products industry *Communicate and interact effectively in the forest and wood products industry * Follow environmental protection procedures in forest and wood products operations * Follow workplace health and safety policies and procedures in forest and wood products operations * Develop knowledge of the forest and wood products industry * Follow fire prevention procedures * Provide first aid * Operate communications systems and equipment * Work in a team * Trim and cut felled trees * Navigate in forest areas * Collect forest data or samples for assessment and analysis * Measure trees Students will work 1 day a week with their Employer and attend school the other 4 days. There are 3 block training sessions with the Registered Training Organisation (RTO) of 4 days, during each school holiday period. Under the Australian School-based Apprenticeship model the student is paid for the time they are training both with the employer and the RTO.
APPLICATION Applications will close on 21 November 2025. For an application form see the attached or go to our website: www.arbre.net.au
Further information contact Denise at Arbre on: hub@arbre.net.au or call 0419 130 557
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.
Northern Midlands Council 2025 Further Education Bursary Program
To be eligible for a bursary, applicants must:
Have a Northern Midlands home address
Be enrolled in Year Ten
Intend to pursue further education or training (including apprenticeships) for at least two years post-year ten.
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.
A new local Mechanical Services business, SUBZERO MECHANICAL SERVICES in Launceston is seeking an apprentice for 2026.
A Mechanical Services apprenticeship trains you in installing and maintaining heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC), and refrigeration systems for domestic, commercial and industrial businesses such as hospitals, schools, hotels, etc.
The qualification is a four-year VET course, Certificate III in Plumbing (Mechanical Services).
The applicant must be in Year 11 or 12 and hold a driver's licence or obtain one by the start of 2026.
A work trial will be required as part of the application process.
If you are interested, please email or see Ms White to register your interest - jodie.white@stpatricks.tas.edu.au
McDonald's Prospect Employment Opportunities:
McDonald's is launching the recruitment process for its new Prospect store, set to open in mid-December.
As Prospect isn't set up on their hiring platform, McDonald's will hire and train all new employees through existing restaurants in preparation for the opening.
If you need a resume or want to update your current one, visit the Future Pathways page on Schoolbox to find a resume template.
