By Mrs Liz Illingworth, Principal

RECONCILIATION WEEK - ALL IN

National Reconciliation week commenced on Wednesday 27 May and runs through until Wednesday 3 June 2026. These dates commemorate two significant events in our Reconciliation journey - the 1967 referendum and the 1992 High Court Mabo decision. The 27 May, 1967 Referendum successfully allowed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to be counted on Census and the 3 June 1992 High Court Mabo Decision recognised Native Title.

Reconciliation week is an important time for us all to learn about shared histories and culture, and explore how we can all contribute to Reconciliation.

At St Patrick’s College, we commit to a future of learning from and walking with Tasmanian Aboriginal people. This week in our staff meeting we were lucky to be joined by Graeme Gardner and Denni Proctor, who worked with us on making the connection between land and the importance of Acknowledging Country.

Recently I was privileged to join the Long Walk in Melbourne with some of our students. The Long Walk is more than a walk, it is a journey of solidarity to champion the futures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

“Everyone is welcome around our Campfire” - Michael Long

Imagine a community, a world where we all live by Michael’s quote, and welcome and accept all.

AMAZING HUMANS

This week the news of Neale Daniher's passing has been impactful on us as a nation. Such sad news, but what an almighty legacy he has left. While many first knew Neale as a courageous Essendon Captain, a brilliant Melbourne Football Club Coach, and part of the well known Daniher footballing family, it was his 13-year battle off the field that cemented his place in the hearts of all Australians.

Diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) in 2013, at a time when life expectancy for the disease was just 27 months, Neale refused to step back and lay down. Instead, he co-founded FightMND and dedicated the remainder of his life to staring down what he famously called "The Beast."

Under his leadership, humility, and trademark humour, the annual Big Freeze became a national phenomenon. Neale was a man of action. Through his relentless advocacy, though he knew a cure for MND would not come in time to save his own life, he fought selflessly to ensure it would save others in the future.

Some of Neale’s well known sayings are motivational for us all.

‘Don't let later become never’

‘You get to choose your attitude every day’

‘When all is said and done, more is done than said’

Neale leaves us all with a legacy of courage, resilience, care, compassion, resolve, selflessness and perseverance.

Rest in Peace Neale Daniher and thank you for your selflessness.

Click here to read the latest Parish Bulletin.

By Mrs Lindsey Hills, Deputy Principal - Learning and Achievement

2026 NAPLAN Preliminary Results: Celebrating Growth

We are pleased to share early insights from the 2026 NAPLAN results for Reading, Numeracy, and Language Conventions. While the full data is set to arrive in July and individual student reports in Term 3, these initial results offer insight into the growth achieved across our Year 7 and Year 9 cohorts.

Both Year 7 and 9 Performance cohorts achieved “Strong” scores across all assessed areas.

Building on the solid foundations, this year’s data reflects significant growth, with a substantial portion of students now reaching the “Exceeding” band, particularly in Reading and Spelling. In Numeracy, Year 7 and 9 students continue to demonstrate robust proficiency, meeting or exceeding national standards.

While our students are performing well, Grammar and Punctuation has been identified as a priority area for continued development in Year 7 and Year 9. In both year levels, the median score for this area sits lower than in other literacy domains despite remaining in the ‘strong’ band, providing us with an opportunity to target learning in this space.

This data reveals an upward trajectory and is a testament to the hard work of our students and the dedication of our staff.

Full data is expected in July, with individual student reports distributed to families in Term 3. Thank you for your continued support in fostering academic excellence.

Parent-Student-Teacher Meetings

The College will be holding Parent Teacher Interviews in Week 10 of this term, on Wednesday 8 July. The interviews are held at the College from 4:00pm until 8:30pm. Parents/guardians can access Schoolbox to read ongoing feedback comments, assessments and review attitude and application rubrics from teachers. This feedback can provide insight into your student’s progress and guide your decision as to whether you would like to make a Parent Teacher Interview booking. Further information on how to book will be provided to you later in the term.

Save the Date: Year 9 Transitioning to the Senior School

We invite all Year 9 students and their families to an information session on Pathways into the Senior School:

Tuesday 30 June (Week 9)
5:00 – 6:00pm
Chapel, St Patrick's College

This session is designed to support families as you begin to think ahead to Years 10, 11 and 12. It’s a great opportunity to:

• Hear about the different pathway options available in Year 10, 11 and 12

• Learn about the difference between TASC and ACARA subjects and our VET offerings

• Gain a head start on important decisions before the Subject Information Evening and subject selections in early Term 3.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Mid Year Examinations

Our Senior School examinations are underway in Weeks 8-9. We wish Year 10, 11 and 12 students the best, and look forward to celebrating their efforts and achievements when the Mid Year Examination concludes mid way through Week 9.

Booklist Survey

At St Patrick’s College, we are constantly looking for ways to streamline our processes and better support the College community. This year, we are exploring a new direction for how our student booklists are sourced. To ensure our future approach aligns with what works best for your family, we are gathering feedback about your purchasing preferences. We hope that your insights will directly assist us meet your needs and provide an efficient, convenient, cost-effective system moving forward.

Here is a link to the google form: https://forms.gle/i1SgFwxM7CyVudUL6.

2027 Year 12 Leavers Rugby Top Fitting and Orders are now open.

Rugby Top Cost is $100.

Final date for ordering and payment is 09/07/2026. Orders received after this date will incur additional cost.

Rugby tops can only be ordered from the St Patrick’s College Uniform Store.

We highly recommend students attend in person to try on and order their rugby top.

Payments can be made in person using a card payment only or by contacting the Uniform Store on 03 6341 9933.

By Mrs Minami Ivory - Teacher

Angelina Gurung and Emilia Chugg were selected for this year's Year 10 one-month exchange program. The students departed Launceston in early April and returned from Japan in May. During the program, our students stayed with local students' families and attended Omi Brotherhood School to learn about the Japanese language and culture. Congratulations on their effort.

By Mrs Minami Ivory - Teacher

Each year, our Croagh Patrick Art students showcase their talent at the Bay of Fires Youth Art Prize. Responding to this year’s theme, 'No Place Like Home', our students have officially completed and submitted their creative interpretations. Their artwork will soon be on display at the exhibition in St Helens, with the winners announced in June. Best of luck to all of our talented artists!

Ms Gemma O’Halloran - Head of Learning - Languages (Yr 9-12)

TATE, in collaboration with their friends at Forty South Publishing, and with support from loyal sponsors, are proud to officially launch our annual short fiction writing competition for Tasmanian high school and college students!

JUNIOR SECTION – YEARS 7-9 STUDENTS

Length: 700-1000 words

Theme: choose a minimum of TWO of the following to reference anywhere in your story:

• The colour blue or black

• The sound of a black cockatoo

• The smell of lavender

• The feel of water

• The taste of blackberries

SENIOR SECTION – YEARS 10-12 STUDENTS

Length: 800-1500 words

Theme: incorporate a minimum of THREE of the following elements in your story:

• A place in Tasmania

• References to fire, air, earth and/or water

• The colours red, blue and/or green

• A repeated image or phrase

• An evocative smell or taste

Entries are open now and close at midnight on Monday 3 August 2026. The cost of entry is $8.00 per story, but the Languages Faculty will cover the cost of your entry. Please forward submissions to Ms O’Halloran gemma.ohalloran@stpatricks.tas.edu.au by 3pm, Monday 3rd August.

More details can be found at: fortysouth.com.au/young-tasmanian-writers-prize/