Issue 7 | 24 May 2024 - St Patrick's College

By Mrs Kim McInnes, Acting Principal

Last Sunday was Pentecost Sunday, a day where we recall the gifts given to us by the Holy Spirit. It is also a day where we are asked to reflect on our own gifts, and to recognise the gifts of those around us.

In our College community our students have so many opportunities to showcase their gifts and there have been many recent events where they have done just that!

MOMENTS OF WONDER

On Friday 10 May, the 2024 Performance Project, Wonder, was held at the Princess Theatre and involved nearly 170 students. The night was a wonderful display of various talents from singing and dancing, to playing musical instruments and even acrobatics.

Well done to all involved!

YEAR 7 HOLLYBANK VISITS

This week saw the last of our Year 7 Hollybank visits. These were held in House Groups and enabled our students to participate in various activities designed to strengthen their resilience and provide opportunities to develop closer bonds with their peers.

COLLEGE CROSS COUNTRY

Last week the annual Cross Country was held at the College on a beautiful, sunny autumn day. Our students are to be commended for their enthusiastic participation in this event, with some great personal performances. Regardless of where students placed, it is always great to see our students enjoying some exercise in the sun with their friends.

COLLEGE BALL

Tomorrow night our Year 11 and 12 students will gather at the Tailrace Centre for the Annual Senior Ball. Over the last couple of weeks, students have been practising their ballroom dances under the guidance of Andrew Palmer and are keen to put that practice to the test on the dance floor. I am sure that all students will have an amazing night, celebrating friendship, community, and connection. I look forward to seeing them all there.

VISITORS TO OUR COLLEGE

We all enjoy being able to celebrate our students' gifts by coming to the College to watch them participate in the various sporting and cultural activities they participate in. The College welcomes our community to visit during these times, but should you arrive at the College during the school day, you must please sign in so that we can keep a record of our visitors. There is no need to go to Reception; you can sign in with the College staff present at the event. Note that this is not required for events such as Grandparents Day where all visitors RSVP to attend.

ABSENCE REMINDER

A reminder to our community to please use the SchoolBox parent portal to report when your child is going to be absent, late or has a concern with their uniform, as shown below.

Note that absences can also be reported via the Contact page on the College website by accessing the button shown below.

SAVE THE DATE

Finally, I again ask you to keep in mind two very important upcoming dates where we can celebrate the gifts of our wonderful College community:

40 years of co-education at St Patrick’s College - October 26, 2024

End of Year Mass and Award presentation Night - December 12, 2024

More information on both of these events will be available soon.

By Ms Jodie White, Future Pathways Coordinator

Year 11 and 12 ‘Post School Options Expo'

The Year 11 and 12 ‘Post School Options Expo’ held last Tuesday night was a tremendous success. The Nano Nagle Gym was buzzing with activities, interactive displays, and simulations.

The event gave students and parents/guardians the opportunity to gather information, explore future options and make connections in education, training, employment, and support services to assist them in making informed decisions for life beyond school.

The expo was incredibly well supported by many industries and organisations, with over 40 exhibitors.

St Patrick’s College is very grateful for the ongoing support from our community partnerships and industry networks who gave up their valuable time to make this significant event informative and worthwhile.

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UPCOMING EVENTS

This term is very busy with lots of events to share information relating to options and pathways, aimed at assisting Year 12 students in making informed decisions for life beyond St Patrick's College.

It is important students keep up to date with relevant information that is shared with them, including upcoming mainland University information sessions, University application dates, Open Days, UTAS SRP application dates, scholarship sessions, and information sessions.

It can be overwhelming, but the Future Pathways Team is here to support students and provide them with as much information and resources as possible.

Please see the University Open Days and University Early Entry dates in this article. There will be a mainland university information session in Week 1 of Term 3, as most mainland University applications open early August.

UTAS SCHOOL RECOMMENDATION PROGRAM, SRP - OPENS 27 JUNE 2024

Australian Year 12 students can apply for up to five courses at the end of June. Rather than an ATAR, your application is based on your school’s recommendation. This recommendation can factor in your Year 11 results.

If you don’t receive an offer for your dream course through the SRP, you will be re-assessed for a higher preference offer once your ATAR is released.

UTAS will release offers from August through to the end of October, which will take the pressure off you during Year 12.

The program is open to the majority of UTAS courses, including their flexible double degrees, undergraduate degrees, associate degrees, and pathway programs.

Courses in Medical Radiation, Paramedicine, Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine work differently. Entry into these courses is very competitive, so an early offer is not available. However, UTAS still encourages you to apply as part of your SRP application.

Note: Domestic applications for Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine open on 1 August 2024 and will close on 30 September 2024. All applicants require a valid UCAT ANZ score. Groups of applicants with the same ATAR will be ranked by using the UCAT ANZ score as a secondary ranking method.

For more information, go to; https://www.utas.edu.au/study/...

Please note: A UTAS SRP Presentation will occur on Thursday 13 June, at lunchtime in ERC R6 for any interested students

MAINLAND UNIVERSITIES ROADSHOW - WEDNESDAY 5 JUNE

Every year, the Tertiary Information Service runs a series of roadshows, providing an opportunity for students to learn more about their higher education and tertiary study options once they have finished College. They are visiting Launceston on June 5, and you’re invited.

Launceston Session

Date: Wednesday 5 June

Time: 5:30pm - 7:00pm (presentation to start at 5.30pm sharp)

Venue: Workshop Floor 1 and the Rory Spence VOS Construction Lecture Theatre, UTAS Inveresk Campus

UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE PRESENTATION - MONDAY 5 AUGUST

The Future Students team is visiting Launceston to meet with prospective undergraduate students to discuss study options and the exciting campus life that awaits at the University of Melbourne

Launceston: Monday 5 August, 6:00pm - 8:00pm (AEST)

Book your place: https://study.unimelb.edu.au/student-life/events/meet-melbourne-launceston

Venue: Peppers Silo

ADF CAREERS

Launceston Defence Careers Information Session

Wondering whether a job in the Australian Defence Force (ADF) is the right fit for you?

Come along to an upcoming info session where you'll have the opportunity to ask questions and learn everything you want to know regarding job roles in the Navy, Army and Air Force.

You'll have the chance to speak with current serving members to see if an ADF career is the one for you.

Date: Wednesday 12 June

Time: 5:30pm-7:30pm

Location: Launceston Conference Centre

Register for the session here: https://www.adfcareers.gov.au/...

Upcoming Future Pathways Events

TERM 2
JUNE
5 June	Tertiary Information Service (Victorian Universities) - UTAS Inveresk Campus 5:30pm – 7:30pm
11 June	A Night In The Army Reserves
12 June	Launceston Defence Careers Information Session
13 June	UTAS Schools Recommendation Program Presentation - lunchtime in R6 at SPC
19 - 25 June	Year 11 + 12 Mid-Year Exams
27 June	UTAS Schools Recommendation Program Applications Open
29 June	UTAS School Leavers Expo – Inveresk UTAS Campus
30 June	UTAS School Leaver Expo - Hobart UTAS Campus
JULY
3 July	UTAS SRP Application Assistance
4 July	Year 10 Futures Day at SPC
AUGUST
5 August	University of Melbourne Presentation

Mrs Rachael Holloway, Head of School – Middle School

Ms Rachael Holloway, Head of School – Senior School

For a small regional city, we are so lucky here in Launceston and northern Tasmania, to have so many educational choices. Families are able to discern what type of schooling is best for their values and the style of education that is most likely to ensure their children flourish. One of the privileges of my role is that I get to meet with families who wish for their child to attend St Patrick’s College for their Senior schooling. During our conversation they will inevitably mention that one of the reasons they wish to send their child to St Patrick’s College is our values and the particular style of education we provide.

One of the most significant ways we live out our values and education style is through our uniform. Our uniform tells the community who we are and what we stand for. It is a symbol of our identity, connection, equality, and high standards. This reputation directly benefits students as they enter the world beyond St Patrick’s College. I love seeing the way St Patrick’s College students rise to the challenge of being the best version of themselves when they are supported and getting consistent messages from school and home. So it surprises me when parents ask us to lower our standards. Often in these cases parents say to me that their child is, or nearly is, an adult therefore the expectations should be loosened. Whilst there are certainly privileges and freedoms that come with being a Senior School student, the uniform is not one of them. A dress code exists in most workplaces, whether it is high visibility wear, corporate attire, or a company uniform. The standard we set for students is no different than what will be expected of them in ‘the real world’. As such, I invite families to re-familarise themselves with the College Uniform Protocol. The College physical education uniform, with the House polo, is permitted to be worn on Thursdays. Students must wear the formal uniform on all other days. This includes days when students have Physical Education.

Tomorrow will see the Senior College Ball held at the Tailrace Centre. This is such a special night in the College calendar. Today I spoke with our students regarding expectations in behaviour before, during and after the Ball. Please support your child in appropriate choices regarding parties, alcohol and illicit substances to ensure their safety and the safety of others.

With Mid-year exams for all Senior School students only three weeks away, some students may be starting to feel anxious. Please continue to have regular conversations with your child regarding their mental health during this period, and please do not hesitate to reach out to the College for assistance. Our Pastoral Care team is always available for support

By Piper Van Emmerik, Liliana Langham, Jasmine Axman-Friend and Lucas Powell, Rice House Captains

As Rice Chisholm and Rice Bourke's House Captains, we aim to implement our House values by focusing on a specific attribute each term. Over the year we have focused on presence and compassion, and in Term 3 we will endeavour to focus on community. In Term 1 we had great success with every Rice student engaging in our theme of presence by attending and participating in house-based activities and carnivals, with Rice winning the Middle School and Croagh Athletics Carnival and coming second in the St Patrick's Day Cup.

Compassion is a central College core value and we plan to focus on this by encouraging conversations about compassion which translates into caring actions and connection. Our values aim to establish further relationships between peers, staff members and the community. A great example of values in action is our Rice Charity Day, which will be held in early Term 3.

It is hard to believe that we are about to reach the halfway point in Term 2, with the Cross Country, Mackillop Happy Day and the Senior Ball being highlights of our school calendar. Our Cross Country Carnival was a great success, with the whole school spending the day on the oval, running and cheering for their house. It was fantastic to see everyone having a great time and getting involved in our last Carnival for the year and the last-ever carnival for our Year 12 students. Tomorrow night the school will host its annual Senior Ball, this is a time for our senior students to get dressed up, participate and have fun with their peers.

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By Mr Alex Wadley, Cultural Coordinator

Wonder Recap

A huge thank you to all students and staff involved in Wonder and audience members for supporting it! There were so many great performances that words really couldn’t do them justice. Therefore, we’ve left you with some brilliant pictures to illustrate what a magical night it was.

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By Gabriella Smith, Debating Captain

The Senior debaters are nearing the culmination of their season. With one debate to go, SPC1 is three points on top of the ladder and SPC2 is sitting comfortably with four points. The season finale will be held at St Brendan-Shaw College. Following this, the Parliamentary Shield, an exhilarating round-robin tournament against schools from the north of the state, will occur on 31 May and 1 June.

The Junior debating season has just kicked off at Scotch Oakburn College. St Patrick’s College has two strong Junior teams, one in the 7/8 division and another consisting of Year 9 and 10 students. Both teams have welcomed many new debaters who are picking up skills incredibly quickly. After the first two rounds, adjudicators have been particularly impressed by the presentation of arguments and the display of excellent public speaking skills. We wish them the best of luck for the rest of their season.

Music Captain's Report

By Thomas Page & Charlotte Cox, Music Captains

We're only four weeks into Term 2 and we’re already back into the swing of things! Our musicians have been kept busy with the constant practice for the upcoming Winter Concert in August, the Wonder performance that took place at the Princess Theatre two weeks ago and the fast-approaching Launceston Competitions.

The Wonder performance took place on 10 May, and there was no rest for our musicians. The College string orchestra performed a stellar rendition of Bitter Sweet Symphony with members of our Future Sounds group bands. Other members of Future Sounds and the Senior Green Berets Drumline formed together and performed the opening act, Sweet Disposition, which was met with rapturous applause and dancing from the full-house audience.

The performance of Wonder was an amazing opportunity for all of our musicians involved and we are immensely grateful for the opportunity to participate.

On Tuesday 14 May, the College Soiree took place. Despite concerns about the temperature and a last-minute room change, the night went off without a hitch. Our students performed solos and duets to an impressed audience, composed mainly of family members and College Music Tutors. The night was exciting and filled with immense talent and we look forward to our next Soiree in Semester 2.

On an exciting note, on Wednesday 15 May, the College Concert Band and family met for the annual potluck dinner and badge presentation, where we welcomed 15 new members into the Concert Band. The evening was filled with laughter and new interactions between parents. On this night we were lucky enough to find out where we will head on the upcoming mainland tour in August: Canberra! All members are beyond excited and counting down the days until we depart.

Concert Band Report

By Lainey Carter, Concert Band Leader

On Wednesday 15 May, 74 students, parents and guardians came together for the annual Family Pot Luck and Badge Presentation Night, as well as the Tour Revelation Night. This night included a lot of socialising and good food, with each family bringing something to share. The annual potluck night is very important as it allows the families of those who are in Concert Band to get to know each other and create a strong sense of community throughout the band. One of these getting to know you activities involves parents being required to move around and meet someone new, with no one escaping this requirement. The night also includes the presentation of the ensemble badges, which is a big accomplishment. This year there were 15 members who joined the band and received their badge. These students were officially welcomed and reminded of the importance of being in this senior ensemble whilst being handed their prized badge.

The destination of the 2024 Concert Band and Big Band Mainland tour was also announced, and this year the ensembles will be travelling to Canberra from the 25-30 August. Overall, the night was very enjoyable, filled with socialising, the excitement of welcoming new members and the announcement of the destination for the Mainland tour.