Issue 14 | 13 September 2024 - St Patrick's College

By Mrs Liz Illingworth, Principal

CELEBRATING OUR PAST AND LOOKING TO OUR FUTURE

2024 is a special year for St Patrick’s College, as it sees us celebrate our 40th Anniversary as a Catholic Co-educational College.

On Saturday 26 October we will have an Open Day here at the College, commencing with Mass at 9:00am and followed by Guided Tours conducted between 10:00am and 12:00 noon, a sausage sizzle and cake cutting between 12:00 noon and 1:00pm, and Guided Tours continuing between 1:00pm and 3:00pm.

We invite all to join us for this special day and please share this invitation amongst the community.

To attend, please RSVP via the QR Code.

We hope that many will come along to celebrate all that has been achieved over the past 40 years and we look forward to continued growth in the next 40 years!

LAP IT UP

Lap It Up has been a significant and important event for our Year 12 cohort for 16 years. The event provides the opportunity for our College community to put our Mission and Values into action by raising funds and awareness around the need to support others, emphasising how effort makes a significant and meaningful impact.

For our 16th year, Lap It Up continued the tradition of Year 12 students coming together to raise funds for our local charities Magnolia Place, New Horizons, Migrant Resource Centre, and Landcare Tasmania. Through individual and business sponsorship, over $16,000 has been raised and so has the awareness of those in need in our local community. We hope that the contributions made will help make a profound and lasting difference to the lives, education and wellbeing of many.

Congratulations to all participants for 2024 who relayed for 24 hours in trying weather conditions, and thanks to all involved in the preparation and organisation of this fantastic and important event.

COMMUNICATIONS

During 2024, the College has committed to move all communications to our Schoolbox Portal. I hope that each of you are able to access your Parent Schoolbox page and that you find all the information you need easily. If you are not able to access Schoolbox, please visit the College website or contact our Front Office team for assistance.

2025 ENROLMENTS

If your student is not returning to St Patrick’s College in 2025, please ensure that you have completed the Not Returning to St Patrick's College form prior to Friday 20 September 2024.

NSATIS/SATIS FINALS

During this past week many of our teams have competed in the northern Finals. We now look forward to the SATIS Finals and the SATIS Swimming Event during Week 9 and wish all involved the best of luck.

I hope you all have a great weekend.

By Tumai Bennett, College Captain

Last week saw the completion of our annual Year 12 fundraising event, Lap it Up. Although the weather did not help, all the Year 12s pushed through, raising over $20,000 for our four chosen charities, Landcare, Magnolia Place, Migrant Resource Centre and New Horizons! A phenomenal effort considering we only reached $10,000 a few days prior. What was of real notice though was the effort and commitment put forth by all Year 12s, the idea that they could help the people in the community around them empowered the cohort and pushed them to keep going even when it got hard and challenging. With each step we made at school, a step was also made in supporting those in need.

This idea of compassion and empathy is thoroughly explored by all Collegians in their time at the College, with one of our Founders, Saint Mary Mackillop putting it best, “Never see a need without doing something about it.”. It was awesome to see us act upon these current issues in our society and ‘do something about it’ by showing solidarity with our community. I personally congratulate all those involved for another successful Lap it Up.

Behind Lap it Up is an important message for the young adults in our College to consider: what can we do to help those who really need it? When we all eventually leave school, we will be given opportunities to engage with people who are disadvantaged in our communities and to show empathy. The Year 12s are lucky enough to experience how this may look, but it is also important to consider what we can keep doing to support our local community for the years to come.

Finally, I would like to wish everyone, particularly our Senior School students, an enjoyable remainder of school. There is little time remaining in the year and I encourage everyone to be present, connect, and flourish in our community.

Lap It Up XVI Sponsors and Donors

A special thank you to our long-term supporters Tamar Hire and Mountain Bike Tasmania.

Thank you to Lap It Up XVI Sponsors and Donors:

McDonald’s North & North West Tasmania
Foot & Playsted
SMA Finance Launceston
Vibe Chiropractic
PYCSAM Health & Fitness
Roberts Real Estate Launceston
Legana Cricket Club
Lily-Rose Garden Care
Summerhill Pharmacy
Black Salt It PTY Ltd
Field Solutions Group
Olde Tudor Pharmacy
The Plough Inn Launceston
Lightfoot Podiatry
Star Bar Cafe & Hotel
Liz Illingworth
MDE Building Designs
Katrina Von Stieglitz
Flowers on Riverside
Wuggs Australia
Pure Foods Tasmania
Cripps Bakery
Petstock Country Launceston (Boland Street)
LivEat
Coles
Baxter's IGA (Prospect)
Young's Vegie Shed
SportsPower Launceston

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Mr Luc Norton-Smith, Head of Learning - Mathematics & Science (Yrs 7-8)

By Mr Luc Norton-Smith, Head of Learning - Mathematics & Science (Years 7-8)

This year, St Patrick's College Middle School students eagerly participated in National Science Week, diving into the thought-provoking theme, 'Species Survival – More Than Just Sustainability'. This event sparked curiosity and learning about the delicate balance required to protect our ecosystems and ensure the survival of species in the modern world.

We were fortunate to have special guests from Biosecurity Tasmania and the Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service. They delivered an engaging presentation to our students, sharing real-world insights into how these organisations are actively working to preserve Tasmania’s unique biodiversity. Students were captivated by stories of biosecurity efforts, conservation strategies, and the challenges faced in managing wildlife in our state.

Adding an exciting layer to this experience, students were later treated to the opportunity of a virtual reality journey that brought them face-to-face with some of the incredible species at risk and the environments they call home. This immersive experience allowed our students to grasp the complexities of conservation in a way that textbooks simply can’t provide.

The participation of our Middle School students in National Science Week continues to highlight St Patrick’s College’s commitment to fostering environmental awareness and stewardship. We look forward to seeing how these experiences inspire the next generation of scientists and environmental advocates.

By Ms Jodie White, Future Pathways Coordinator

ARBRE HUB SCHOOL FORESTRY WORK EXPERIENCE PROGRAM

Arbre Hub collaboratively create and facilitate training programs that meet the needs of the forestry industry workforce. They also partner with schools and colleges to shape and deliver high quality career education opportunities.

Arbre Hub will be running the School Forestry Work Experience Program for Year 10 students in Launceston on 21– 23 October 2024.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

Supported by the Tasmanian Government, this is a three day work experience program that has been developed to introduce students to potential career paths within the forestry industry.

Students will spend a day each with three employers from different sectors of forestry such as:

Pre-employment/work health and safety
Forest growing and management
Silviculture
Harvest and haulage
Sawmilling and processing
Mechanical/workshops

PROGRAM OUTCOMES

This program will provide an opportunity to see first hand through work experience what careers are available within the forestry industry. It will add to the student’s choice of career pathways where they can apply for an Australian school-based apprenticeship or pursue potential direct employment.

APPLICATION

Scan the QR code or complete the attached flyer. For further information, visit https://www.arbre.net.au/

ROTARY SCHOLARSHIP

NORTHERN MIDLANDS COUNCIL 2024 FURTHER EDUCATION BURSARY PROGRAM

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.

Five bursaries are offered, with each bursary being valued at $2000.00

Bursary Application form 2024

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

Applications close 5:00pm Friday, 20 September 2024.

Alternatively, call into Future Pathways to collect an application form.

YEAR 12 UTAS SRP APPLICATIONS – APPLY NOW

UTAS OPEN DAYS

Launceston

Date: Sunday 22 September

Time: 10:00am-2:00pm

Where: Inveresk and AMC Campuses

Open Day is a great way to explore our campuses and get a taste of life at the University of Tasmania. It’s a great opportunity to hear all about our courses, course and career pathways, accommodation, scholarships, social clubs and sporting teams directly from the experts, students and teaching staff.

Our events are packed with exciting hands-on activities, demonstrations, great food, live music and more.

Register here

Hobart

Visit us at our Open Day 2024 events in Hobart. The perfect time to explore our campuses and discuss study options. Register here.

OPEN DAY - JANE FRANKLIN HALL RESIDENTIAL COLLEGE – HOBART

https://jane.edu.au/

MAINLAND UNIVERSITY APPLICATIONS

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 University Admissions Centre for each State and make an account before you apply. There are one-off application fees for each Central Admissions Centre, which vary from each state.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

TIMBERLINK

GAFFNEY

Exciting Opportunity: 2025 Apprenticeships!

Ready to kickstart your career in agricultural mechanics? Our 2025 Apprenticeship Program is now open for applications!

Join us to gain hands-on experience, learn from industry experts, and lay the groundwork for a bright future in a thriving field. We’re searching for passionate and driven individuals eager to dive into the world of agricultural technology.

Apply Now!

Longford - https://www.aehgroup.net.au/.../2025-apprenticeship.../

Somerset - https://aehgroup.net.au/.../2025-apprenticeship.../

Don’t miss this chance to grow and succeed with us!

ALA PARTNERS

MYER LAUNCESTON

By Mr Cameron Ivory, Head of School - Middle School

ONLINE SAFETY & SOCIAL MEDIA

While social media can offer valuable opportunities for connection and self-expression, it is essential to recognise the potential negative effects it can have on the well-being of our children. Studies have highlighted several areas of concern that I believe are important for us as a community to consider:

Mental Health Concerns: The constant exposure to curated images and lifestyles on social media can lead to unrealistic comparisons and feelings of inadequacy. This can contribute to anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem in teenagers, who are particularly vulnerable to external validation.
Cyberbullying: Unlike traditional forms of bullying, cyberbullying can occur at any time, often with a wider audience. The anonymity of online interactions can sometimes lead to more severe forms of bullying, causing significant emotional distress.
Addiction and Screen Time: Social media platforms are designed to be engaging, often leading to excessive use. This can result in reduced physical activity, sleep disturbances, and a lack of face-to-face interactions, all of which are crucial for healthy development.
Privacy and Safety: Teens may not always fully understand the long-term implications of sharing personal information online. This can lead to issues related to privacy, safety, and exposure to inappropriate content.
Academic Distractions: The allure of social media can be a significant distraction from academic responsibilities. The need to stay connected can sometimes take precedence over schoolwork, leading to declines in academic performance.

As parents, guardians and educators, it is our collective responsibility to guide our children in making informed and healthy choices when it comes to their social media and online use.

In the Middle School this term, we have made a concerted effort on educating all our young people of the potential ramifications that the misuse of social media and online activity can have on their lives and the lives of others. We have had presentations from TasPolice, focussed lessons during our BeSPC classes and as part of our Pastoral Care program, exploring and discussing topics related to the Internet and the Law, in particular sexting, making threats and defamation.

I encourage you to have open and ongoing conversations with your children about the content they are consuming, the time they spend online, and the importance of balancing their digital and offline lives. To support you in doing so, the E Safety Commissioner website is a great resource. It provides people of all ages, young and old, with access to information on key topics and advice on how to stay safe online. Most importantly, it provides the means through which to report online abuse, illegal and restricted content. As a College, we will continue to educate and support our young people to navigate life online in a safe and respectful manner and hope that you can assist and encourage them to do the same.

By Nicole Laskey - Director of Pastoral Care - Middle School

On Thursday 29 August, the Middle School hosted ‘Boys Unite Night', an evening to celebrate our Middle School boys and a significant male in their lives. The purpose of the evening was about connection and taking time out to be present. Considerable research highlights the crucial role that male role models play in the development of teenage boys. Male role models can provide a roadmap for navigating the complexities of adolescence, offering guidance, support, and inspiration that can have a lasting impact on a teenage boy’s development and future.

Over the course of the evening the guests participated in a rotation of activities including, ‘paint and lip’, VR experience, and a 'longest paper plane' competition. They were also treated to a culinary experience from the senior Hospitality students.

A huge shout out to all the staff that assisted on the evening, making it a memorable experience for all.

“A role model is not someone who teaches you to be like them, but someone who inspires you to be your best self.” — Unknown

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By Lucas Jarman, Student

On August 25, members of the Concert Band, Big Band, and Drumline journeyed to Canberra for the 2024 St Patrick's College Mainland Tour for a week long trip filled with music, memories, and fun.

Over the course of the week we had many adventures including visiting the Canberra Owl, Parliament House, and many primary school performances. Some of the highlights were working with students from Marist College, St Edwards College, and St Clare's College in instrument specific workshops. It was great to see the development of these students and it was very rewarding for us to be able to pass on some of the incredible knowledge and skills that we have developed under Mr Mumford, Ms Mowat, and our individual tutors. We then saw these skills in action at the formal joint performance on Wednesday night.

But by far the best personal experience for us was visiting the Better Music Store where each of us were able to see and play high quality instruments. There also may have been some purchases involving a kazoo or two, heading home to our lucky families!

The challenging travelling conditions were handled gracefully and we were amazingly supported by Mr Mills, Mr Potter, Ms Mowat, Mrs Christie-Johnston and the wonderful Mr McManus, who delayed his retirement to join us. I’m pleased to say that everyone had an incredible time and we all look forward to future adventures as members of the music program at St Patricks College.

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