By Mrs Liz Illingworth, Principal

THE CHRISTMAS SEASON - ADVENT

This time of year is so busy, with end of year functions, shopping, catching up with family and friends, and lots of cooking and eating for many of us. This four-week period before Christmas is Advent and in the church it is dedicated to the expectant arrival of Jesus. During Advent our focus is on hope, peace, love and joy. If we can shift our focus from the hustle and bustle, and focus on hope, peace, love and joy, I am sure we could refocus the busyness of the season.

“Love makes us better, it makes us richer and it makes us wiser, at any age.” Pope Francis, April 2024

CELEBRATIONS AND REFLECTIONS 2024

Last night we celebrated our End of Year Mass and Year 12 Graduation, a magnificent way to celebrate as a community. This event requires the work and commitment from many of our staff and students - from delivering the equipment, packing the Yearbooks, preparing the certificates, providing first aid, right through to the organisation of the Mass and seating. Thank you to everyone involved. It sure does take a village to run this event.

Earlier this week, we held our Year 10 Academic Presentation, and today our Year 7, Year 8 and Year 9 Academic Presentations. Congratulations to all students who were recognised with Distinction, High Distinction or Honours Awards; and to those who received Improvement Awards and Endeavour Awards for their work and efforts during 2024.

Congratulations also to our Year 7-10 students who this week were awarded our Special Year Level Awards.

2025

We look forward to welcoming Years 7, 9, 11 and 12 students on Friday 7 February, and Year 8 and 10 students on Monday 10 February in 2025.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Wishing all in our community a wonderful Christmas and New Year. May this Christmas bring you and your loved ones immense joy, peace, and love. Thank you for your ongoing support, collaboration, and dedication to making our school a vibrant and enriching environment. Thank you for entrusting your child to our College, and all the best to those families and students who have ended their time at St Patrick’s College.

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Click to view the latest issue of the Launceston Parish Bulletin.

Samuel Lindsay claimed gold and broke a 35 year old record in the U17 5000m Race Walk at the All-Schools National Championships. 

Xavier Davie won both silver in the U17 Long Jump and bronze in the U17 400m at the All-Schools National Championships. 

Isabel Perry was awarded the City of Launceston's prestigious Ariarne Titmus Swimming Scholarship.

Congratulations to these students!

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

The Year 7 excursion to explore Tasmanian forest ecosystems was a highlight of the term for many students. While the unpredictable Tassie weather unfortunately meant that four of our core classes missed out, the six cores who attended had a fantastic time engaging in hands-on activities and learning about the unique environments of our local forests.

The program kicked off with an Acknowledgement of Country, setting a reflective tone as students prepared to connect with the natural world. Activities included a Forest Ecosystem Walk and Data Collection session, where students observed abiotic and biotic factors in a dry forest environment. They conducted a Transect Decomposer Study, using scientific tools like dichotomous keys, to identify decomposers found in leaf litter. Students also built interactive food webs, exploring the delicate balance of forest ecosystems and the impact of disruptions. Finally, an engaging species list activity allowed students to determine which groups of species were most abundant in Tasmanian forests.

After lunch, the excitement continued with student-selected activities. From creating habitat models to forest hunts and sketching animal specimens, every choice provided opportunities to deepen their understanding of biodiversity and conservation.

This enriching experience was made possible by the expertise and enthusiasm of the facilitators from the Forest Education Foundation. Their dedication to providing a safe and educational environment ensured the day was both engaging and meaningful. We also extend our gratitude to the College staff who accompanied the students, particularly their support in supervising activities and ensuring everything ran smoothly.

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

As part of their Energy unit in Science, all Year 8 students have been engaging in an exciting hands-on project: building solar cars! This activity has provided an excellent opportunity for students to practically explore energy transformations and transfers, applying their theoretical knowledge to real-world contexts.

The solar car challenge allowed students to design, construct, and test their vehicles, emphasising the principles of energy transfer from the sun to the car's motor and the transformation into motion. Through experimentation and iteration, students deepened their understanding of scientific concepts while developing critical thinking and teamwork skills.

Congratulations to Chloe Grainger and Molly Ross of 8D for building the winning car, demonstrating exceptional ingenuity and problem-solving throughout the project.

A heartfelt thank you goes to Mrs Karen Witt and Mr Chris Denton for their invaluable support of all the Year 8 classes during this unit. Their guidance and enthusiasm helped make this learning experience both educational and enjoyable.

Well done to all students for their effort and creativity. The solar car project has truly showcased the innovative spirit of Year 8 Science at our College.

By Ms Sherryn Arneil, Teacher

Earlier in the term, our Year 9 Business and Economics class ran a Small Business Week. From their investment and hard work, they have so far raised $444.00 for various charities. Charities supported so far are:

JCP Youth $76.00

Smith Family $85.00

Royal Children's Hospital $73.00

Our final two charities will be voted for in our last class.

By Ms Jodie White, Future Pathways Coordinator

University of Tasmania

We are here to help!

An opportunity for a one-on-one session with us to help Year 12 students navigate through the maze of course enrolments or even just HECS and Student Amenities Fees applications. Come and visit us at our Hobart, Launceston and Cradle Coast campuses on the selected dates, to officially enrol in your course and talk to us about any concerns you might have.

Find out more and register here.

Job Opportunities

Deloraine Deli

The Deloraine Deli is seeking honest, reliable, customer-focused team players to join their team. Roles available include Food and Beverage Attendants, Cooks, Traineeships or Apprenticeships.

The Deloraine Deli is a cafe, providore and caterer in Deloraine. The positions are casual or part-time (hours 25-30+ per week but can be less if required). They are open from 8:00am - 4:00pm Monday to Friday and 10:00am - 4:00pm Saturday and Sunday, with occasional night functions.

If you are interested in applying please email your resume to Lyn at Info@delorainedeli.com.au.

DIGGA Excavation

Traineeship Opportunity in Civil Construction Plant Operations with Digga Co.

Digga Co. is offering an exciting Traineeship in Civil Construction Plant Operations for those seeking to start a rewarding career in the construction industry.

About the Traineeship

Our traineeship is a structured, three-year program that combines on-the-job training with formal education. Trainees progress through three stages:

Stage 1: General Hand (6-12 months)
Trainees start by providing support in the depot, including greasing and cleaning equipment, washing and detailing vehicles, assisting as a motor driver’s assistant, and store person duties—all under direct supervision.

Stage 2: Field Training (6-12 months)
After gaining initial experience, trainees move into the field and begin their formal training in civil construction, operating plant machinery and working on-site.

Stage 3: Advanced Training (12-18 months)
The final phase focuses on refining skills in plant operations through a mix of hands-on work and training with an approved RTO, culminating in the completion of a Certificate III in Civil Construction – Plant Operations.

Who We're Looking For:

This traineeship is perfect for school leavers, adults, or anyone keen to learn and develop in a growing industry. No experience is required, just a strong work ethic and a passion for machinery and construction.

Why Choose Digga Co.?

• Structured Learning with hands-on experience.
• Career Development through mentorship and job progression.
• Industry-recognised Certification upon completion.

How to Apply

To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to hr@diggaco.com.au.

We look forward to helping the next generation of civil construction professionals get their start!

The Westbury Gourmet Butchery

The Westbury Gourmet Butchery is looking for an apprentice to join the team, commencing in 2025.

The chosen applicant will:

• Gain full-time employment in a Monday to Friday role.
• Be offered above award wages.
• Be provided with a supportive environment to optimise trade skills with butchers who have over 50 years’ shared experience and are enthusiastic to share their knowledge.
• Collaborate between the workplace and Drysdale/TAFE.

The Westbury Gourmet Butchery strives for excellent product and customer service. This is an exciting opportunity to gain skills and confidence in a unique trade. The chosen applicant will increase their responsibilities over the course of the apprenticeship allowing career progression and an in depth knowledge of small business trade in Tasmania.

Please call Nathan on 0418 527 554 if you would like to discuss this opportunity further.

Douglas & Collins – Fulltime Business Traineeship

Douglas and Collins have a full-time opportunity for a Year 11 or 12 student to undertake a Certificate III in Business.

With responsibility for reception duties - answering the phone, greeting clients and visitors, general administration and some secretarial support for lawyers, Douglas and Collins have proven success in supporting and developing trainees.

Working in a law firm, candidates/students need to be suited to a professional and conservative work environment, have excellent spoken and written English including grammar and punctuation, excellent attention to detail and a general willingness to learn.

If you are interested, please forward your application (cover letter and resume) to HR Consultant Tess Moore at applications@moorehr.com.au.

MEGT

As promoted at the parent information evenings, St Patrick's College is a BYOD school. To assist you, we highly recommend that you purchase from the SPC Purchase Portal via JBHiFi.

The website to access the portal is Education - JB Hi-Fi Education (jbhifi.education) and the school code is STPATS25. A flyer is attached below with these details.

On this portal, you will find a range of education-specific products at discounted prices. These products have been specifically chosen as they are the most suitable products for the use of students within schools. Typically these products are non-retail products, meaning you won't always find them in JB Hi-Fi stores. What sets them apart as education products are their stronger design and build (providing additional protection), as well as extra onsite (at school) warranties and accidental repair options.

Parents/Guardians are strongly encouraged to order early so that you won’t be disappointed. Whilst JBHiFi has ordered plenty of stock, once this runs out there will be delays with orders.

If you have any questions regarding the BYOD Portal, please contact Mr Matthew McGee, Director of Digital Learning, by email at matthew.mcgee@stpatricks.tas.edu.au.

As we approach the School Holidays, we would like to inform our community of the upcoming Front Office and Accounts opening hours:

Monday, 16 December: 8:00am – 4:00pm

Tuesday, 17 December: 8:00am – 12:00pm

Wednesday, 18 December: 8:00am – 4:00pm

Thursday, 19 December: 8:00am – 4:00pm

Friday, 20 December: 8:00am – 12:00pm

The Front Office will be closed from 12:00pm on Friday, 20 December, and will reopen at 8:00am on Monday, 20 January 2025.

For any parent/guardian inquiries during this period, please use the contact form on the St Patrick's College website or leave a message. We will endeavor to respond to all messages upon reopening.

We thank our community for their patience and understanding during this closure period.

By Miss Jess Young, Teacher

Writer’s Society Short Fiction Competition 2024

As we wrapped up another fantastic year, the Writer’s Society held a competition for students across the school to see who could capture the anticipation of summer in 300 words or less. The entries were crammed with imagination and clever imagery to encapsulate the longing for summer.

Among the awesome entries, Annaliese McNeair’s piece stood out as the winner.

A huge thank you goes to all the students who wrote a piece for our competition! It was inspiring to see the talent of our students on display. Congratulations to Annaliese. Please enjoy her story.

Summer on the Horizon

The air feels different somehow. Warmer, more relaxed, easier to breathe than the crisp air of winter. All the edges of things have softened. The sound is returning now. The deafening winds of early spring have eased, and now the world is filled with the uproar of things remembering to be alive. Everything seems brighter, and the good times stretch with the days.

I have arrived, somehow, at the end of my time measuring life in terms, weekends, and holiday breaks. Summer stretches before me and, curiously, I cannot see its end. All my dreams of “next” are set in the season of days that stretch, and sun that shines. Some part of me must long for the loudness, the aliveness. I dread the thought of facing the coldness and the quietness without the people I have shared these things with throughout my life so far.

I think in order to bear it all, I must first stop counting in terms of weeks and days and hours. My life, instead, will be measured in summers. I will wait through every autumn, winter, and spring for the moment the edges of all things begin to soften, and the air becomes easier to breathe, and the world feels somehow different. And I will begin again each time when I see summer on the horizon.

By Mr Adam Symons, Head of Rowing

Three Rivers Quad Twilight Regatta - 6 December 2024

Last Friday afternoon, the Three Rivers Quad Twilight regatta was held on the Tamar River. After rough weather and cancellations in previous years, it was great to be able to row on such flat water with a full tide for once! 

Being a junior regatta, St Patrick's College fielded crews in the Year 8 and Year 9 (2025) age groups for both boys and girls, with all the night's races being for quad sculls. Each age group would race one 1000m race, row back to the start and race again, so it was a quick turnaround for everyone. Our first crews out were the Year 9 2025 Boys and Girls. The Boys fielded one all SPC crew, and teamed up with a Grammar student to form a second crew. Our all SPC crew (stroked by Lachlan Bardenhagen) placed second in their first race, and won the second. The composite crew with Ronan Rae in the stroke seat placed third and fourth respectively, with all crews within a few lengths of each other. In the Girls races, three of our Year 8 girls (Morgan Butler, Eleanor Pietsch and Gabriella Tonelly) teamed up with a student from Riverside High, and won both of their races quite convincingly - an excellent effort having not rowed together before!

The next round saw our Year 8 2025 rowers hit the water. Again our Boys crews formed one all-SPC crew, and teamed up with Grammar students to form a second crew. The all-SPC crew was stroked by Austin Holloway, and placed second for both races. The composite crew, stroked by Oscar Gleeson, placed third in each race. The SPC Girls once again showed their prowess, with an all-SPC crew of Molly Mansfield, Siea Harper, Jade Newstead and Amelia Bristow winning both of their races. It was a fantastic night to show both the strength of our SPC Junior rowing teams, and our willingness to join together with other schools to ensure as many rowers as possible could compete. 

Thanks must go to our coaches for preparing our crews for racing, the many parents and helpers assisting on the night (and barracking loudly!), and our Senior rowers who helped in coxing duties and supporting their younger teammates. With our Junior rowers now enjoying a mid-season break over Christmas, our Senior rowers will compete this coming weekend, one more time this calendar year, in State Pennant 4. 

We wish them all the best, and look forward to all our athletes gearing up for an exciting second half of the rowing season early in the new year.