By Mrs Liz Illingworth, Principal

LOOKING BACK AND LOOKING FORWARD

It is hard to believe that we have reached the end of first term of the 2024 College year.

Reflecting, celebrating and reviewing are important steps in continuing to grow and improve as a College.

Celebrating is easy as there is so much that happens in our College that deserves celebration. Our Camp Programs, the Professional Development provided to our staff, our Retreats and Reflection Days, the daily learning and teaching that occurs in our classrooms, our VET Programs, our School Based Apprenticeship Program, our Cultural and Sporting Programs, our House based Pastoral Care, our SWSS Team and their work, and the continual development of our amazing facilities to provide students and staff with the best spaces for learning and teaching.

Reviewing is an important aspect of continuous improvement. Term 1 is very busy, and although this allows for Terms 2, 3 and 4 to be steadier and more learning focused, we are continuously looking for ways to allow for a slower start to the year. We continue to look at our calendar to determine what we have right and where we can improve. We are currently working on changes to our calendar for 2025 with these reviews in mind.

FOOTPRINTS MATTER

Our recent Year 12 Retreat attended by our amazing Year 12s and a committed group of staff members allowed our students an opportunity to slow down. The underlying message of the Retreat was for students to hear that their 'footprints' matter. Our students participated fully, with highlights being the beautiful shared Mass on Thursday evening and the dawn swim on Friday morning.

Our students are so lucky to have such an opportunity in their busy lives to slow down, reflect and renew. I look forward to hearing about our Year 11 Retreat to be held in Week 1 of Term 2. I am full of hope that all students will participate in their Pilgrimage fully.

I have previously written that during the term holidays and the first five weeks of Term 2, I will be on leave. My Pilgrimage will coincide with our Year 11s, for as they walk their Coastal Journey I will be walking the Camino, the Portuguese Coastal Way. Whilst I am looking forward to the challenge, the opportunity to develop my own sense of spirituality, and time for contemplation, rest and friendship, I am also a little apprehensive. Please pray for me on my journey.

Please direct inquiries to Mrs Kim McInnes who will be Acting Principal for this period, kim.mcinnes@stpatricks.tas.edu.au.

THANK YOU AND FAREWELL FR CHATHURA SILVA - ‘FR CHATTY’

Over the past few years, we have been blessed to have Fr Chatty as a part of our community at St Patrick’s College. This week we say farewell as he moves to the Mersey Leven Parish. The St Patrick’s College Community is saddened that he is leaving us, however,  our Catholic Schools in this area will benefit immensely. Fr Chatty will be missed for his presence at our College events, friendship, wise words, beautiful masses and prayer services, and his companionship to us as staff and our students.

Farewell from St Patrick’s College Fr Chatty, we thank you, we will miss you and we wish you all the best. We know you won't be a stranger, you are always welcome at St Patrick’s College as our friend and companion.

Fr Chatty for you we pray may 'The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.' - Numbers 6:24-26

WONDER

St Patrick's College is pleased to present its 2024 Performance Project, ' Wonder'. Wonder is a concert showcasing small group and solo dance pieces, drama vignettes, and contemporary musical items performed by students from Years 7 to 12, with the highlight being our entry into the Wakairri National Story-Dance Festival, which will be filmed during the show.

I encourage you all to come along to the Princess Theatre on Friday 10 May at 7:00pm to celebrate our students and staff involved in this magnificent event.

You can purchase your tickets through this link: Wonder Tickets

HOLIDAYS, RETURN TO COLLEGE TERM 2 AND TUTOR TIMES

I wish all in our community a safe and happy term break. We look forward to welcoming students back on Monday 29 April in full Winter Uniform.

This term we trialled scheduling our Tutor Group prior to Recess. After consultation with staff and students we will be returning Tutor Period to the commencement of the day, beginning day one of Term 2.

Have a great break.

By Gabriella Smith, Lily Robinson and Theo Duff, Mission Captains

Footprints was the theme of the Year 12 Retreat last week and students enjoyed activities, sessions and times of prayer related to The Road to Emmaus story from the Gospel of Luke.

The Year 12 Retreat allowed students to choose a group of approximately 12 students they spent time with during the experience, including time for bonding, reflection, journaling and gratitude.

The Retreat began with a walk through the outskirts of Devonport to engage in mindfulness and immerse themselves within their natural surroundings. Such a grounding experience presented students with an opportunity to take a break from their busy lives, whilst also being encouraged to be aware of the people and components they valued the most in their lives.

Another opportunity for students to be conscious of the parts of their lives they love was the ‘Hearts Burning’ craft session. Students were able to express themselves creatively by creating a canvas with a collage of their passions.

The ‘Eyes Opened’ session allowed students time to reflect about the bigger story of who they are with the mask they had made. 

The ‘Hospitality’ session gave students the opportunity to have conversations in a relaxed setting, giving each other space to just be themselves.

All students had the opportunity to walk the Labyrinth during the ‘Return to Jerusalem’ session, considering what they were carrying on the way in and what they could leave behind on the way out.

Mass on Thursday night, beginning at the firepit by candlelight, culminated in the gym with a beautiful whole year-level celebration. It ended proudly with the gymnasium coming together to sing O'Patrick Hail.

The highlight of the Retreat experience for many was the dawn swim where the entire Year 12 cohort participated in either a walk along the beach or braving the chilly waters at Turners Beach whilst the sun rose.

Each student added their footprint with paint, to a large banner as a visual reminder that their footprints matter.

The Tasmanian Catholic School Parents Council recognises the financial costs to Catholic School families when purchasing uniform items for their children each year. We are also aware of the different policies in regards to Uniform in Schools and Colleges across Tasmania. There is also a practicality aspect to uniforms that students are required to wear.

We invite parents and carers to complete a survey on the uniform requirements at your school. Feedback will be collated and shared with Catholic Education Tasmania, and then with the wider Catholic School community, including parents. If you have more than one child, and they attend different schools, we ask that your feedback is based on one school at a time; ie the survey can be completed more than once.

The Survey will remain open until 4 May 2024.

Tasmanian Catholic Schools Parents Council – Uniform Survey

The Survey is supported by Catholic Education Tasmania, and the Executive Director, Dr Gerard Gaskin, has added the following supporting words:

'Dear friends in Catholic education,

I recently met with the President of the Tasmanian Catholic Schools Parents Council (TCSPC), Charlotte Geeves, and the Executive Officer Don Ryan, where we discussed the Uniform Survey which parents and carers have been invited to complete. I wholeheartedly support this initiative by the TCSPC and look forward to reviewing the results and comments at its completion. Each of our Archdiocesan schools is quite unique, according to its own circumstances and setting. Accordingly, I am sure that, in time, the survey results will bring up a number if possible, actions and outcomes that can be explored in consultation with each school.'

By Ms Jodie White, Future Pathways Coordinator

Australian School based Apprenticeships

St Patrick’s College supports students in Year 10 to 12 who are on Australian School Based Apprenticeships, known as ASbA.

An Australian School-based Apprenticeship is a paid, employment-based training arrangement where Year 10, 11 or 12 students are able to combine employment, training and education to gain a nationally recognised qualification, usually at Certificate II or III level – across almost every industry sector and training package.

The ASbA’s in conjunction with the parent/guardian, school, employer and the RTO are supported and coordinated by an Australian Network Provider (ANP). The ANP is responsible for the administration and communication between all stakeholders; student/parent, school, employer and RTO, and forwards documentation to Skills Tasmania to approve a legally binding and registered Training Contract.

St Patrick’s College currently have students in Year 10, 11 and 12 participating in ASbA’s, working in various industries such as retail, hospitality, cookery, agriculture, carpentry, building, childcare, banking, and business administration. Past students have completed ASbAs in hairdressing, barbering, plumbing, ICT, engineering fabrication, green keeping and civil construction.

For many of these students, they were offered an ASbA after participating in work placement in their area of interest. Other students complete an ASbA as part of their casual employment at KFC, McDonalds, Hungry Jacks or Domino’s, where they gained a Certificate II in Retail Services which did not impact their schooling.

Many of the St Patrick’s College students on ASbAs, complete Year 12 and transition into full-time apprenticeships.

For more information please contact Ms White who facilitates all the ASbAs or go to:

https://www.skills.tas.gov.au/...

Arbre Hub Forest Industries Training and Career Hubs

Arbre Hub collaboratively create and facilitate training programs that meet the needs of the Forestry industry workforce. They partner with Schools and Colleges to shape and deliver high quality career education opportunities.

The three student programs available for 2024 are:

1. School Forestry Work Experience Program

St Patrick’s College have participated in this program for the last two years. Running in the Launceston region on the 21-23 October, this Program is targeted at Year 10 students and provides three days of work experience with a different employer each day. 

2. Cadet Forester Program (ASbA)

This Program is an Australian School-based Apprenticeship and focuses on Forest Growing and Management. This Program is targeted at students in Years 11 and 12, and students will complete a Certificate II in Forest Operations.

3. Next Generation Forestry Operators Program (ASbA)

This Program is an Australian School-based Apprenticeship and focuses on Forestry Machine Operations with a unit of simulator training included. This Program is targeted at students in Year 10, 11, and 12, and students will complete a Certificate II in Forest Operations.

For further information, visit https://www.arbre.net.au/

Please note: Arbre Forest Industries Training and Career Hub will be attending the Year 11 and 12 Post School Options Expo on Tuesday 14 May, from 5:30-7:30 in the Nano Nagle Gym.

Possability

Possability will be attending the Year 11 and 12 Post School Options Expo on Tuesday 14 May, from 5:30-7:30 in the Nano Nagle Gym.

Post School Options Expo 

Jack McLean, Addison Frerk, Jack Cramp, Elouise Frerk, Emmerson Lowry and Isabel Perry have been selected to represent their clubs in the 2024 Australian Age and MC Swimming Championships on Gold Coast this April.

Oliver Green has been selected for a place on the Tasmanian Swimming Team to represent his State at the School Sport Australia National Swimming Championships on the Gold Coast in July.

Gabriella Smith was announced as the winner in the Northern Regional Final of the Lions Youth of the Year Quest last week. As part of the adjudication, Gabriella participated in an interview and delivered two impromptu speeches and a prepared speech. She went on to be a finalist in the 2024 District and State Final of the Lions Youth of the Year, held on Sunday 7 April.

Rahni Milne has been selected in the Tasmanian Devils Under-16 Girls Squad. She will compete at the National Female Championships in Sydney this month.

Riley Howard has been selected as part of the Tasmanian Athletics state team to compete in the Australian Athletics Championships. He will be traveling to Adelaide the week this month to compete in U18 100m, 200m, 4x100m relay and 4x400 relay.

Subi Daly has been announced a Launceston Tornadoes Squad member for 2024.

Grace Foley, Grace Ebbelaar and Molly Green have been selected for the 2024 Netball Tasmania 17&U State Team. Paige O’Neill and Sophie Blackberry have been selected for the 2024 Netball Tasmania 19&U State Team.

Samuel Percival has been selected to represent Tasmania at the Under-18s National Basketball Championships this month.

Congratulations and well done to all. 

Ms Rachael Holloway, Head of School – Senior School

Each Tuesday morning, before school, Mrs Illingworth, Mr Cleaver and I meet with the College Captains and Vice Captains. This past Tuesday morning Mrs Illingworth asked each of the Captains what their highlight was from the term. Their responses were: St Patrick’s Day, the Carnivals, and Retreat. It was wonderful to hear that their highlights were the events that make St Patrick’s College a community.

Year 12 Retreat is such a special event, witnessing the year group spend one of their final times all together. Highlights for me were the candles sparkling around the camp-fire, singing the College Hymn at Mass, and the dawn swim.

Our Year 11 students will have their Retreat during Week 1 next term. I cannot encourage students enough to grab all of these experiences with both hands. Whilst Year 11 students are on Retreat, Year 12 students will have their Wellbeing & Leadership day. I have sent details out regarding this via Schoolbox.

The Senior School highlight of Term 2 is of course the College Ball, which this year will be held at the Tailrace Centre, Riverside. The theme is 'Midnight in Paris'. Invitations have been sent out via Schoolbox.

Thank you to all of our students, parents and carers for a wonderful Term 1. I wish everyone a wonderful break. I hope it provides an opportunity for rest, renewal and relaxation. Below is the prayer I shared with Senior School staff earlier this week:

'Jesus, help us to accept your invitation to come empty and receive the rest we need. Help us to willingly release our fears, worries, agendas, and to-do lists.

Ease the tension and replenish our bodies.  Silence the voices of doubt and speak Your words of truth.

Remove the heaviness of our days. Fill us with Your peace, joy, and love.  Fill us until the overwhelm is consumed by Your grace.

We ask this in your name, Jesus Christ.

Amen.'

HOUSE CAPTAIN REPORT

April Bristol, MacKillop House Captain 

At the beginning of this year the MacKillop House captains offered the house a challenge, a new way to engage with the House motto and words of Mary MacKillop, ‘never see a need without doing something about it’. We encouraged students to fully engage in the upcoming Carnivals, especially by participating when they saw a need, whether this is a position that needs filling in a race, or encouraging their peers who may feel anxious about participating. The House fully embraced this message and we saw success within each Carnival we took part in, most notably winning the Middle and Senior School Swimming Carnivals, and placing second overall in both Middle and Senior Athletics Carnivals. MacKillop also saw success early into the year when we were awarded the Academic Shield for 2023. 

This strong start to the year sets an excellent standard for MacKillop for the remainder of 2024 and years beyond.

By Mr Alex Wadley, Cultural Coordinator

In the final week of Term 1 we have seen great levels of commitment and dedication to a range of cultural pursuits by many students. None more so than students involved in our school Performance Project, 'Wonder'. Students have been giving up weekends and will shortly be required to give up part of their holidays to prepare for what will be a spectacular show. The Performance Project tickets are now on sale and can be accessed via the Theatre North website. Let’s hear from some of our students and teachers involved in the various scenes that will be shared on the night;

Wakakirri

By Anika Agarwal

I’m involved in the Wakakirri story dance, it is based on the story of Alice in Wonderland and involves three dancing groups, each showing a sense of belonging through the different parts of the Alice in Wonderland storyline. Each group focuses on a different dance style, according to the part of the story. It is coming together beautifully and we all hope that you buy a ticket and come and support the St Patrick’s College Performance Project! 

Year 9 Music Theatre

By Leigh Hart (Director)

‘We will be found’ This is scene from the musical Dear Evan Hansen, where Evan addresses the school body about his friendship with Connor. 

‘Maybe’, is a scene from the musical Annie, combining song and mime. 

Year 9 Dance

By Miss Brianna Gartside

We are focussing on the wonders of changes in seasons. Dance styles are mostly contemporary and reflect the mood of the seasons, culminating in a big storm.

Senior Strings

By Mrs Kim Brown

Our strings group are collaborating with a Year 11 rock band to bring to you an iconic 90’s rock song that will send shivers down your spine.

TASC Dance Group: Title - HOPE

Our group piece unpacks the quote “Grow through what you go through”. It explores the idea of enduring hardships, persevering through challenges and emerging stronger than before. We discussed the metaphor of climbing a mountain, highlighting the intense journey, and the rewarding feeling of reaching the top. This sense of accomplishment speaks volumes about our ability to bounce back and grow from tough experiences. We abstracted this concept to create movement within our group piece.

Grade 10 Dance: Title - Red Carpet

Our group piece is inspired by the glitz and glam of the Oscars, where each dancer embodies a winner. With each movement, we channel the collective dreams and aspirations of the countless stars who have left their mark on the iconic red carpet. We each have our moment of stardom as we soak up the spotlight and celebrate our success together.

Senior Drama - The Red Tree

The TASC Drama class have created a devised drama performance inspired by the Picture book, 'The Red Tree', by Shaun Tan. Our concept explores how bad feelings and dark moments are inevitable in life, however wonderful things will always come when the time is right.

Theatre Performance - I Wonder...

By Mrs Mallory Schipper (Director)

The TASC Theatre Performance class, along with Sacred Heart student Evie Schipper and selected performing arts students, have created a movement piece that explores life's wonders of childhood through imagination and aspirations. The wonder of life's intimate journey awaits...

Cultural Captain Reports

Choir Report

By Emmaleigh Groeneveld, Choir Captain

Harmonia and Key Notes have been gearing up for Launceston Competitions on June 3. Harmonia are working on Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol. Meanwhile Key Notes have been working on Young and Beautiful by Lana Del Rey. Each of these pieces have been coming along well and we are looking forward to showcasing our choir. If you or a friend are interested in joining choir, please come along on Thursday mornings at 8:15am - 8:45am.

Chess Report

By Vaphei Bielu, Chess Captain

On Friday 5 April 2024, ten students from St Patrick's College attended the year's first Interschool Chess Tournament at Launceston Church Grammar School.

The tournament was taken out by Scotch Oakburn College who's team scored 23 points from a possible maximum of 28. SPC ranked 3rd at the end of the day, scoring a total of 19 team points.

Strong performances were delivered by Connor Rogers, Finn Cloudsdale, Sebastian Johnston, Maximilian Satel, Rory McMahon, Evan Williams and myself, who all scored above 3.5 points (meaning we won the equivalent of half or more of our matches). Sebastian scored a total of 5 points (finishing equal 5th) and I scored 5.5 (finishing 4th).

The top five players from the College also attained a bronze medal. This included Sebastian, Evan, Rory, Maximilian and myself.

Every student scored a point for our team, which was fantastic to see, given some of our members have only just started their competitive chess journey.

Participating in the inter-school tournament provided invaluable experiences, fostering camaraderie, strategic thinking, and resilience among team members.

Senior Ethics Report

By Lainey Carter, Ethics Captain

The Senior Ethics team has spent Term 1 studying our competition cases and working on our teamwork. During the holidays we will have a training at school to practice structuring our ideas into ethical arguments, to further strengthen our competition skills. We are all looking forward to the state Senior Ethics Olympiad to represent our school and engage in interesting ethical discussions.

Debating

By Gabriella Smith, Debating Captain 

Last Wednesday, SPC1 and SPC2 travelled to Devonport to debate with schools from across the north and north-west of Tasmania. We would like to thank St Brendan Shaw College for their warm and welcoming hospitality and the coordinators of the Launceston schools who made the road-trip such a rewarding experience. After enjoying some delicious refreshments, students had one hour to prepare for debates on whether artificial intelligence is good for humanity and whether the government should provide free lunches for all public school students in Tasmania. SPC1 is positioned on top of the ladder with five wins and SPC2 has two points. With half the season remaining, there is still plenty of time for both teams to continue to refine their skills and improve their craft.

By Thomas Page & Charlotte Cox, Music Captains

It’s hard to believe that Term 1 is drawing to a close, but it’s been a great tune-up for what is an exciting music program ahead. Practice sessions are in full swing and we’ve had our first big performance for 2024, joining in to help celebrate St Patrick’s Day, as we launch into a wide and varied performance schedule set to challenge and inspire.

St Patrick's Day Mass Orchestra and Choir 

The year started off nice and early for our College musicians as we prepared for the annual St Patrick's Day Mass, which sees the two senior ensembles, Senior Strings and Concert Band, combine to make the Mass Orchestra. This is always a rewarding experience as it is one of only two opportunities throughout the year where this combined ensemble performs for the College community.

Senior Strings 

The year has started well for Senior Strings with weekly practice sessions every Wednesday morning. Members have been working on the piece Bittersweet Symphony for the upcoming performance project Wonder in May. They have also began choosing possible pieces to perform at the Winter and End-of-Year Concert.

Symphony Orchestra

The Symphony Orchestra has commenced practices alongside Senior Strings and members are trying pieces for upcoming school concerts.

Quartets 

The quartets have just commenced lunchtime practice sessions. Both quartets are set to play in this year’s Performance Challenge, with the Senior Quartet also scheduled to perform in community and school events later in the year.

Andante Orchestra

The year has started well for Andante, with lunchtime practice every Wednesday. The first rung in the ladder that leads to joining Senior Strings and Symphony, members of Andante will combine with Senior Strings at the End-of-Year Concert.

Concert Band

The Concert Band has started rehearsals this year and are preparing for their mainland tour in August. The annual mainland tour has not run since 2018 due to COVID-19, meaning that no current members have been on a mainland tour. The Concert Band is excited to take on this experience and members are looking forward to finding out where the tour will be located on the mainland.

Intermediate and Development Band 

Intermediate and Development Bands have only just started rehearsals on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. These ensembles are coming together very strongly and we are excited to see them develop and grow over this next year.

Drumline

Drumline will once again be leading the George Town ANZAC day parade and are thankful to receive this opportunity year after year. Drumline will also be opening the College's Performance Project, Wonder, and has been memorising and perfecting their piece, Sweet Disposition.

Drumline will also be joining the Concert Band on the mainland tour and is excited to start working on new music and routines.

Big Band 

The Big Band started rehearsals early this year, preparing for their first gig at Sacred Heart Fair on March 15. The group has quite a few new members and the sound is starting to settle quite nicely. Big Band members look forward to this year and are excited to be joining the mainland tour in August.

Year 12 Musos 

Most of the Year 12 musicians combined to form a 'mini-orchestra' for our Retreat Mass at Camp Clayton last week. We performed a string of hymns, and even encouraged a sing-along! A big thank you to Harry Mills for organising this event.

We always welcome new members, of any level of skill, and encourage anyone interested to inquire. We strongly motivate Year 7s who have previously played in the Primary Program or Esk Band to keep playing and aim to also go on the mainland tour or take on further opportunities in their upcoming years at the College. Anyone wishing to join an ensemble can contact Mrs Kimberley Brown or Ms Fiona Mowat for more information.

From the start of Term 2 the College will start a trial of the Email Digest for parents. The trial will run for the first five weeks of the term, after which time we will seek feedback from parents.

This means that:

• Parents with access to Schoolbox will receive one email each week on Friday at 3:00pm

• The email will contain a snapshot of Academic, Pastoral and News notifications from the week (see the sample pictured)

Please note:

1. The Digest will only contain information relevant to you and your child.

2. If you do not wish to receive information in this format you can manage your Schoolbox notifications options by following the instructions on the Schoolbox & ICT help page.

Please be advised that moving forward, the St Patrick's College newsletter will no longer be sent directly to your inbox as it has been in the past. 

For future editions of the newsletter, kindly refer to the 'Newsletter' tab on your SchooBox news dashboard. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we enhance our communications strategy.

By Mr Adrian Cooper, PIC Mountain Biking 

This season has been a very successful one for St Patrick's College riders. We had a few riders compete in the State Championships, both Cross Country (Timothy Innes and Jordan Enright) and Enduro (Charlie Van Zetten, Henry Harper, Jack Graham). Jordan also travelled to Lake Macquarie in New South Wales for the AusCycling National XC Championships along with Monty Manion, who achieved the awesome result of 2nd in U17 category.

Even more impressive though was the turnout and enthusiasm on display at the local LMBC Twilights. The following riders were regulars over the last few months.

Jordan Enright (Won the 1st series, 2nd in the 2nd series)

Fletcher Mason (Won the 2nd series)

Timothy Innes

Ethan Finlayson

Charlie Van Zetten

Ned Sims

Harry Sims

William Petty

Hugo Savage

Oliver Drake

Rory Roberts

It is so great to see these riders out challenging themselves, getting faster and having a good, social, time out on their bikes. There has been some great collegiality and team spirit shown. I hope that we can build on this next season, starting in Term 4.

Next up is the Tas All Schools MTB Championships in Hobart on 10 May. I’m confident that the team will have a great time on the day.