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Educating Young People Since 1873

St Patrick's College News

Articles

Issue 8 | 16 June 2023

In This Newsletter

Expand All Print

Principal's Message

What if...?

By Mrs Liz Illingworth, Principal

By Mrs Liz Illingworth, Principal

Last Friday, our Student Executive led the College Assembly. At this Assembly, they launched their theme for 2023. 'What if...'. You may have seen your student's badge for 2023 already.

Xavier and Shannon, our College Captains, wrote that;
"During our discussions about theme ideas, we agreed unanimously that we wanted a theme that encouraged community growth, especially as things reform after Covid. We talked about how important co-curricular activities are for building a sense of belonging and togetherness at school and how we’d love to create an environment where people feel encouraged to put their hands up and give these a shot. We talked about getting rid of the negative culture of being too cool to participate. We talked about being an empowering body to all the students, encouraging leadership and giving them the strength to ask themselves, 'what if…'. 

What if I embraced the opportunities that came my way? What if I stepped out of my comfort zone? What if I made a new friend today? What if I committed to being the very best I could be at my passions? What if I stood up for what I think is right? The opportunities are endless." 

The Student Executive challenged all in our community to have the courage to challenge themselves to embrace the theme and ask themselves the question: 'What if...?'.

Communication

In the parent surveys we conducted earlier this year, one area which parents identified as an area for improvement was College communications. We are taking this feedback on board and working to always improve in this space.

Can I also remind parents/guardians to ensure that you are signed into Schoolbox and that you have notifications turned on?  Schoolbox is where you receive all communications from the College as well as access information on your student's work and academic progress. We know from our data that many parents are not accessing this excellent resource. If you require assistance with the Schoolbox login process, in the first instance, please visit the Parent Help Centre on our website or contact us by phone on 03 6341 9988 or email contact@stpatricks.tas.edu.au

Senior Football Finals

Our Senior 1sts Girls AFL team played an excellent Northern Final against Scotch Oakburn last week. They fought hard and showed determination, courage and grit to go down by only 10 points. This Saturday, both our Senior 2nds and 1sts Boys play in the State Final at the College. We wish both teams all the best. I am hopeful many in our community will come along and support the teams on Saturday as they face Hutchins. The 2nds commence at 12:00 pm and the 1sts at 2:00 pm. 

Cultural Opportunities

Last week, I watched one of our Senior Drama classes' productions of Hitler's Daughter by Eva Di Cesare, Tim McGarry, and Sandra Eldridge, based on Jackie French's book. 

This was another opportunity to celebrate the diverse talents of the students within our community. The show was exceptional, and I congratulate the students on their work. I look forward also to seeing other cultural performances over the next two weeks as we approach the mid-year semester changeover.

Mid-year Exams

During this newsletter period, our Year 10, 11 and 12 students will sit their mid-year exams. We encourage all students to approach these with a positive and growth mindset. The exams are an excellent opportunity to seek valuable feedback as we end the second half of the academic year. Supporting our young students in developing good sleep, eating, and exercise habits is an important part of successful exam preparation and success.

Vale Tony Long

On Saturday, 10 June, Tony Long passed away after a long illness. Tony was a much loved and respected member of our PE department and the College from 2000-2017 and a past Collegian of the College. Tony has fought a long and courageous battle for the past six years.    

The College extends its deepest sympathies to Tony’s wife, Sandra, his children, Courtney and Christoper and their family.

Catholic Identity & Mission

Ascent Program Update

By Mr Jack Prosser, Ascent Coordinator

By Mr Jack Prosser, Ascent Coordinator

It’s been a busy term so far for the Ascent program. Our Year 11 team continues its climb towards our end of year expedition, where the team will plan and facilitate classes, excursions and activities for our partner primary schools at St Paul’s and St Brigid’s. As a part of that journey, our Year 11s have spent the term so far learning how to plan and run activities for Eddie Rice days; they have to balance both engaging with the young people and also leading the activities. It’s a real challenge to be able to handle both, but our Year 11 team did a fantastic job, and there was great feedback from the families of the young people we worked with. Our Year 11s round out the term with another trip to Hobart in Week 11 to visit our grade 6 class partners and learn more about the communities they live in. 

We’ve just kicked off the Year 10 program with our Base Camp, which is an opportunity to get a taste of what Ascent is all about. To have a group of 42 go on Base Camp was great and borders on our biggest team since the Ascent Program started. It’s certainly a promising sign for the culture of community and outreach that exists in the cohort. The Year 10 camp is filled with a range of activities, from Camp Clayton’s giant swing, blindfolded walks and a host of games, through to genuine conversations in small groups and personal reflection time. All of these were planned in hopes of getting the team to build connections, learn about our guiding values for Year 10 in Servant, Courage, Relationship, and Generosity and learn about Edmund Rice’s mission which we continue to follow in AY10. It was a fantastic bunch of Year 10s, and we can’t wait to see what they bring to the program over the next few years! 


MVPS Update

By Mrs Rachael Hamilton - Head of Learning - Religious Education (Yrs 7-10)

By Mrs Rachael Hamilton, Head of Learning - Religious Education (Yrs 7-10)

From Drama Freeze Frames to Visits from our Aboriginal Elders

In MVPS (Meaning, Values, Purpose and Spirituality), we pride ourselves on doing things differently! The Year 7s started off with creating podcasts as part of their 'Reflection and Real Prayer' unit. Recently, some of them have created drama freeze frames on the different types of prayer. 

Take a look at their interpretation of some common forms of prayer. See if you can guess what form of prayer they are depicting from the photos. It could be an example of a petition, thanksgiving, penance, intercession or praise and either personal, communal or liturgical in style. 

We had so much fun with this activity, all the while consolidating our knowledge and understanding of the wonderful way we can communicate with God. We have also set up our classroom prayer spaces which give us a focus for our prayer time which opens every MVPS  lesson. 

Visit From Our Elders

In addition, 7I, 7E, 7B, and 7J  MVPS classes have been lucky enough to have had the chance to interview some Aboriginal elders associated with our school community. These were Aunty Dawn, Uncle Greg, Aunty Netty and Aunty Judith-Rose, whose artwork is on the walls of our chapel and the glass windows of the ERC. This was part of a project that ties in with this year’s NAIDOC theme - 'For Our Elders'. Students had carefully prepared some excellent questions, learning about open and closed questions in the process. Taking turns to ask these questions, they received some fabulous answers and stories. They also enjoyed slices from our canteen at half time as did our elders.

Aunty Netty and Aunty Judith-Rose shared a session together. We learnt about Aunty Netty’s childhood running wild and free on Flinders Island. She shared how she struggles with depression but that the beach provides her with a quiet place to restore her soul. Aunty Judith-Rose shared the liberating power of education as after her children left home, she went onto UTAS to study art. Now she is an accomplished Aboriginal artist who shares her knowledge of art with students and the community. Both elders spoke about their pride in their culture and love of country but also their sadness as being bereft of much knowledge of language due to the continuing effect of The Stolen Generation. We also heard about some sad instances of racism. Both Aunty Netty and Aunty Judith-Rose left us impressed with their zest for life and their message to our students to seize the day with the opportunities that our College gives them and that a lifelong love of learning will serve them well.

Uncle Greg shared with us the historical and cultural significance to the Aboriginal people of our own Cataract Gorge. He explained how its natural bowl-shaped formation allowed different clans to call out to each other to check if they were friends or foes. We also learnt that he hates wearing socks so that when he is on country, he can quickly remove his shoes and place his feet on the earth as a way to connect himself to sacred space. He then took us out into The Way of Saint Patrick Courtyard to demonstrate the use of some bush tucker from our native garden. We were invited to taste, while he explained its culinary or medicinal use. 

Aunty Dawn shared her stories and memories with 7I. She came from a different age where she had to walk very long distances to and from school and had to start work aged 15. However, she recalled enjoying school and spending time with her friends, including how they used to chase the boys to kiss them! She remains close to some of her old school friends today. When asked what advice she would give to her younger self, she immediately answered, “Listen to your parents! They love you and only want what’s best for you.” We all enjoyed and appreciated Aunty Dawn’s visit and sharing her knowledge and wisdom with us.

As a result of these visits, students will select one story that personally resonated with them and use it as inspiration for a poem, a story or an artwork. In Term 3, in collaboration with our next unit entitled 'The Power of Stories', we will invite our elders back in,  gifting them with our interpretation of their stories.  

In this post-Covid and smartphone age, where we struggle with meaningful social connection, this experience was significant. It gave students an opportunity to make contact with the older generation as well as grow in their understanding of the rich heritage of our First Nations peoples. We are grateful that MVPS allows us the space to do something different and for the work that Ms Owers did in giving us this opportunity. 

Student & Community News

Student Achievements

We wish Cadele Harris (Year 10) and Charli Ross (Year 10) the best of luck as they proudly represent Tasmania at the Under 16 National Hockey Championships in Adelaide in August.

Windeward Bound

Makayla Lobley

By Makayla Lobley

About a month has passed since my trip on the Windeward bound, and I can now confidently declare that the memories and lessons I learnt will always be treasured. I was a member of the Red Watch under the outstanding leadership of Deckie Pat and Leader Chole. I was amazed by how well I handled everything on this trip, including the dreaded 12:00am to 4:00am shift, the hectic timetable, and the demanding jobs. I completed every job that was entrusted to me with patience and care. Thanks to my fantastic team, my watch performed well during the last day's activity, successfully completing tasks to prepare the boat for movement and ensuring the ship's safety while anchored. Our trip was fortunate since the weather wasn't too severe, the waves weren't too bad when we passed through the Bass Strait, and we were lucky to witness various species, including many dolphins, almost every day. My highlights from the wildlife were the fish flying into the galley, the sleeping seals, and being able to see the bioluminescence in the ocean. My team fared well when learning all the ropes, knots, and calls for the sails. On this trip, I learnt much about the boat, navigation, and some sailing history, but also about constant hard labour and teamwork. I also recall some of the calls and instructions required to raise or lower a sail. One thing that really stuck with me was how everyone respected one another and learnt ways to do so, like cleaning up after themselves and getting ready for the next watch, arriving on time for your watch so that the other watch can get some rest, and being conscious of your water usage and the needs of those around you. On the whole, my voyage aboard the Windeward Bound was entertaining, motivational, unforgettable, and wicked. I wholeheartedly endorse anyone considering joining the crew and signing up, especially those who want to be pushed and have a lifetime experience.

+5

Youth Group

Students - looking for something exciting to do on Thursday nights? Join us at the awesome youth group hosted by Fr Chatty! It takes place on the second and fourth Thursday evenings during term time, from 6:00pm to 7:30pm. You'll find us in town at St Ailbe's Hall, 46 Margaret Street. Get ready for interesting conversations, thinking points and discussions, and loads of fun. Don't miss out - come along and give it a try!

Uniform Store - Closed for Stocktake

Please note that the uniform store will be closed on Thursday 22 June, for stocktake. Please note the City store will still be open for any requirements.

Learning & Achievement

Year 11 & 12 Mid-year Examinations

Mrs Lindsey Hills, Director of Curriculum-Senior School & TASC Liaison Officer

By Mrs Lindsey Hills, Director of Curriculum - Senior School & TASC Liaison Officer

Year 11 and 12 mid-year examinations are being held on Wednesday 21 June until Tuesday 27 June

As Senior Students prepare for their mid-year exams next week, we have provided them with some reminders that will help them prepare appropriately.

Exam Period
The TASC mid-year exams take place in Weeks 9 and 10 (Wednesday 21 June until Tuesday 27 June). The exam timetable is displayed in the Edmund Rice Centre (ERC) and can also be found below.

Monday 19 and Tuesday 20 June are study days for Year 11 and 12 students. No formal classes will be held on the study days or during the mid-year examination period, however, students are permitted to utilise the College Library for study purposes. As the ERC will be an examination centre, all students who wish to study at the College must sign in at the main reception. Please also note, after school tutoring will not run during this period. 

When to Arrive
The two exam sittings are at 9:00am and 1:30pm.
Students are to report to the ERC at least 20 minutes prior to the commencement of their examination (students enter the exam room 10-15 minutes prior to the start time for instructions).

What to Wear/Bring
Wear neat, casual clothing.
Students should take their own pens, pencils, erasers, rulers, calculators, etc, which are to be placed in a plastic zip-lock bag.
Remember to take the TASC identification paper ( blue for mid-year exams and pink for the end-of-year exams - this was distributed at the exam assembly in Week 7).
Students are not permitted to take paper, notes, food, drinks (with the exception of an unmarked bottle of water), mobile phones or smart watches into the examination.

Preparation Time in Written Exams
Students may make notes on the provided notepaper during preparation time, but they may not write any text or numerals in their exam papers/booklets before the supervisor advises that working time has begun.

Alternative Arrangements/Illness 
If students are absent due to illness, they are required to obtain a doctor’s certificate on the day of their examination and notify the College. If appropriate, the examination will be rescheduled for later in the examination period in consultation with the relevant teacher.   

Exam Study Tips and Resources 
Study tips and further resources can be found on Schoolbox by navigating to the Exams page or can be accessed by clicking the following link (Schoolbox login required) https://stpatricks.co/40VYul3. 
Students can speak with their teachers about how to get started on revision and whether revision will be part of their lesson time in the lead-up to the exams.

Here is a study plan that students might like to utilise in the lead-up to their mid-year Exams. It's a good opportunity to plan appropriately for their individual timetable and to keep themselves accountable. Schoolbox login required - https://stpatricks.co/3JfgiSc.

TASC has also provided some tips for students in Preparing for exams by clicking the following link - https://stpatricks.co/43FFpWx.

If you have any questions regarding mid-year examinations, please email lindsey.hills@stpatricks.tas.edu.au. 


Year 10 Mid-year Examinations

Mr Ryan Wiese, Acting Assistant Director of Senior School Curriculum

By Mr Ryan Wiese, Acting Assistant Director of Senior School Curriculum

This year, Year 10 students will have mid-year examinations for English, Mathematics, HaSS and Science.  These examinations will be held on Monday 19 and Tuesday 20 June. 

Students are to wear their full formal uniform and attend Tutor as usual in the morning before arriving promptly at the Edmund Rice Centre (ERC) to begin their exams. Students will sit their first exam in periods 1-2 and have a study opportunity in periods 3-4 before commencing their second exam for the day in periods 5-6. Students have recess and lunch breaks as usual. 

What to Bring

Bring your own pens, pencils, erasers, rulers, calculators, etc., which are to be placed in a plastic zip-lock bag. 

Please note you are not permitted to bring food, drinks (with the exception of an unmarked bottle of water), mobile phones or smart watches to the examination. 

Reasonable Adjustments

Reasonable Adjustments will be made for students who are unable to be assessed in the same way as other students due to an impairment, disorder or disability. Students we are aware of with a diagnosis and/or professional reports will be contacted regarding their examination arrangements in the coming weeks.  

Year 10 Mathematics Methods Students

Year 10 students enrolled in Mathematics Methods will sit their examination for this subject with the Year 11/12 students on Thursday 22 June at 9:00am. These students will not attend Tutor on this day as they will be required to be at the ERC at 8:40am. Attendance will be taken at this time. Students will be afforded an extended lunch break after their examination and return to class in periods 5-6. More information will be provided to these students in the coming weeks. 

Year 10 Physical Sciences Foundation Students 

Year 10 Physical Sciences Foundation Level 2 students will complete their examination during the timetabled Science block on Tuesday afternoon. 

Access to Lockers and Lunch Facilities

Please note that students will not be able to access the ERC for heating food, toasting sandwiches etc., during the entire mid-year examination period (Monday 19 June to Tuesday 27 June). For Year 10 students with a locker in the ERC, you can use the Treacy room to store your belongings, and access will be available before school, lunch and after school for limited periods.

Further information about the Year 10 exams can be found on the Year 10 Schoolbox page or by clicking the following link (Schoolbox login required) https://stpatricks.co/3LsA9NU  

If you have any questions regarding the Year 10 mid-year examinations, please contact me by emailing ryan.wiese@stpatricks.tas.edu.au. 

Future Pathways

Ms Jodie White, Future Pathways Coordinator

By Ms Jodie White, Future Pathways Coordinator

Year 12 UTAS Applications – Opening Soon

UTAS School Leaver Expo – Win a MacBook Air - REGISTER

Cameron Baird VC MG Scholarship

Applications open on Wednesday 7 June 2023 and close on Sunday 23 July 2023.

Corporal Cameron Baird VC MG was born in Burnie and joined the Army in January 2000. He was posted to the then 4th Battalion (Commando), Royal Australian Regiment, now the 2nd Commando Regiment. Corporal Baird was awarded Australia’s 100th Victoria Cross for the most conspicuous acts of valour, extreme devotion to duty and ultimate self-sacrifice during fighting in Afghanistan on 22 June 2013, as a Commando Team Commander in Special Operations Task Group. Corporal Baird’s actions reflected his personal motto: ‘Aspire to Inspire’. He was recognised as one of the most inspiring leaders within the 2nd Commando Regiment, where he was chosen to be a leader for representing armed forces values, including toughness; leadership; initiative; and compassion.

About the Scholarship

Up to two scholarships of $2,500 each will be awarded to further the recipients’ education.
The Scholarship will be awarded in 2023 for the 2024 school year.
Each Scholarship will be paid in two instalments of $1,250 each – one by 31 January 2024 and one by 30 June 2024.

Scholarship Eligibility

The Scholarship is open to students intending to enrol in Years 11 or 12 in 2024 at any Tasmanian school, as well as students who are undertaking home education at the same year level. Students may only receive one scholarship.

Topic - ‘Aspire to Inspire’

Applicants are required to respond to one of the two following questions:

1.    How does Corporal Baird’s leadership, acts of valour, devotion to duty and self-sacrifice reflect the finest traditions of Australia’s military and peacekeeping history?
2.    What does Corporal Baird’s personal motto of ‘Aspire to Inspire’ mean to you?

All applicants must also provide up to 250 words explaining how they would use the scholarship prize of $2,500 to further their education.

Entry Format

Entries may be provided in one of four formats:

  • Written (essay, poetry or reflection) – maximum 2,000 words
  • Audio presentation (spoken and/or music) - 10-15 minutes
  • Video presentation - 10-15 minutes
  • Digital presentation - 10-15 minutes

Referencing

Work must be the student’s own.
Any part of the entrant’s work that has been taken from another source must be referenced in a format that is consistent and accurate.
For a guide to referencing visit the National History Challenge website.

Consent

A student can provide consent if over 16 years of age otherwise, the consent of a parent or recognised carer is required.

Important Dates

Opening date: 7 June 2023 (Corporal Baird’s birthday)

Closing date:  11:59pm on 23 July 2023 (last day of term 2 school holidays)

Announcement of recipients: September 2023

Contact

The Scholarship is administered by the Department of Premier and Cabinet with support from the Department for Education, Children and Young People.

Enquiries and requests for further information about this scholarship should be directed to grants@dpac.tas.gov.au.

To apply, applicants must complete the only application form:

Application Form - Apply Here

Upcoming Future Pathways Career Event

VET - A Week of Hands-on Learning & Adventure

By Ms Maria Bassett, Teacher

By Ms Maria Bassett, Teacher

From May 28 to June 2, the Senior Certificate I/II Hospitality students were thrilled to experience an exciting and enriching week of work placement at Strahan Village. This valuable opportunity allows students to explore their future career interests and gain practical insights into various roles in the hospitality and tourism industry while contributing to the vibrant atmosphere of the tourist village.  

Throughout the week, our students worked in various departments, including the NRMA front office and accommodation services, Gordon River Cruises, Molly’s Café, The Kitchen and Hamer's Bar & Bistro. The NRMA front office team provided our students with hands-on experience with welcoming guests, managing reservations, and handling enquiries with the utmost professionalism.  

The Gordon River Cruises' vessels (Spirit of the Wild and World Heritage) showcase one of Tasmania’s iconic experiences, offering our students a unique opportunity to witness the breathtaking wilderness firsthand while serving local cuisine. Molly’s Café, The Kitchen and Hamer's Bar & Bistro are all popular venues for both locals and tourists. Working in these restaurants allows our students to experience the joys and challenges of working in busy restaurants while also learning valuable trade techniques. 

St Patrick’s College is immensely proud of our students for their dedication, professionalism, and eagerness to learn during their time at Strahan Village. They have truly embodied the spirit of our school and will carry this experience with them as they pursue careers in the world of hospitality and tourism.  

On behalf of the students and VET department, we extend our gratitude to the entire team at Strahan for their warm hospitality, guidance, and mentorship throughout the week.

Bay of Fires Youth Art Prize

By Mrs Minami Ivory, Teacher

Students studying Art in Semester 1 at Croagh Patrick enter their work into the Bay of Fires Youth Art Prize each year. This year's theme was 'Looking Forward, Looking Back', and the students responded to this idea through painting or drawing. Fifty-nine students entered the prize this year, and their beautiful work was exhibited in Portland Hall in St Helens on the June long weekend. Congratulations to those students who entered, and a special mention goes to Mia Carroll, Jenna Harwood, Emily McMullen, Makayla McMullan and Mai Vi Tran for being selected as finalists in the Year 9-12 student section. 

Wellbeing & Leadership

The Resilience Project - Mindfulness

By Mrs Mallory Schipper, Student Wellness Coordinator

By Mrs Mallory Schipper, Student Wellness Coordinator

This fortnight's focus from The Resilience Project is all about mindfulness. Mindfulness is an intentional awareness generated by paying attention to a whole experience and being present in the moment. It’s important to explore what mindfulness strategies are helpful for you. Thousands of studies have proven that benefits include reduced stress, reduced rumination, increased memory, increased cognitive function and physical health through improved immunity. 

View the series here: Mindfulness: https://theresilienceproject.com.au/2023-parent-carer-hub-inspire-hugh-martin/

Hugh van Cuylenburg highlights some things that mindfulness improves; concentration, quality of thoughts and equanimity (ability to let go). He also shares some mindfulness strategies to use and implement yourself and with your children. For mental health resources and support information, please visit The Resilience Project’s Support Page.

SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY - Shorts Day

By Mrs Mallory Schipper, Student Wellness Coordinator

By Mrs Mallory Schipper, Student Wellness Coordinator

SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY sparks thousands of powerful wellbeing conversations in schools, sporting clubs and workplaces, but they wanted to go bigger.

Talking about mental health can sometimes be uncomfortable, and so can wearing shorts... So, on the shortest day of the year, our SPC community will come together to brave the cold… and brave the conversation for SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY’s annual Shorts Day!

SPC students will be involved by wearing their favourite shorts to school and bringing a gold coin donation. Every dollar raised will help Stay ChatTY spark mental health conversations in our community. There will be prizes for the most creative pair of shorts.

Shorts Day - Year 9 - Thursday, 22 June
Shorts Day - Years 7,8,10, 11 & 12 - Thursday, 29 June

If families would like to make a donation on behalf of our St Patrick's College community, please use the following link: https://stpatricks.co/43ScI8c


Administration & Community

Debating Captain Update

By Gabriella Smith, Debating Captain

By Gabriella Smith - Debating Captain

Debating

The debating season commenced in February, with schools from north and northwest Tasmania, and concluded this week.  

Debating is a co-curricular activity that requires sharp intellect, quick logic and critical thinking. Teams of three work collaboratively to write a case that either agrees or disagrees with a statement presented while attempting to show that their case is stronger by rebutting the opposition’s arguments. 

The senior competition consisted of 10 rounds, where teams had only an hour to prepare a case for an impromptu topic. While print resources were permitted, debaters were not able to access any digital materials and, hence, relied on their general knowledge and logic. Some topics debated included prioritising Tasmania’s environment, Australia becoming a republic and lowering the voting age. St Patrick’s College entered two teams into this age group, consisting of Jack Adams (Year 10), Elena Darby-Rodriguez (Year 10), Rory McMahon (Year 10), Otto Middleton (Year 11), Brianna Pether (Year 10), Elenoa Ravai (Year 11), Gabriella Smith (Year 11) and Evan Williams (Year 10). 

Factoring in bye rounds, St Patrick’s College finished equal top of the table in this competition. The Parliamentary Shield was hosted by Launceston College between 26-27 May. St Patrick’s College began a strong campaign, winning both of the first two rounds. Unfortunately, illness meant that teams were unable to complete the tournament. 

The junior roster was six weeks, with a combination of prepared and impromptu rounds on topics such as making co-curricular activities mandatory, limiting the number of cars per household and whether the value of a citizen’s vote should diminish with age. 

Adjudicators were impressed by our Year 7 and 8 debaters - Milla Blackberry, Samuel Clark, Sylvain de Clouet-Cooper, Owen Davis, Lucas Gray, William Kusnezow, Sophie Macri, Hannah Madden, Scarlet Midson, Sienna Percival, Elena Tweedale and Ella Viney – and their wealth of knowledge, research and poise. Many of our junior debaters were new and should be congratulated for their confidence and composure, particularly when trying out the art of rebuttal and managing impromptu topics. 

The Year 9 team consisting of William Colebrook-Smith, Amilie Courtney, Meg Kotynia-Soley, Isabella Perry, Marley Robison and Alex Woolley narrowly missed out on the final but debated impressively each week. The junior competition recognised a best speaker for each debate, and so Marley Robison, Meg Kotynia-Soley and Hannah Madden are to be commended for this award. 

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Mr Joshua Martin and Ms Shanelle Spencer for their tireless dedication to preparing debaters and ensuring the season ran smoothly. Thank you, also, to Mr Gerald McDonagh and Mr Rick Smith for filling in organisational roles as required throughout the season. 

We look forward to the 2024 season and to welcoming anyone interested in joining debating. 

Senior Debators
Senior Debaters

Public Speaking

Public Speaking events for 2023 commenced in February, and we have enjoyed a variety of opportunities to represent the College. All competitors have worked to present prepared speeches and to be ready to address impromptu topics at short notice.

The Lions Youth of the Year competition accepted entries from Elena Darby-Rodriguez (Year 10) and Gabriella Smith (Year 11). 

Elena spoke on her experiences as a sailor and won a trivia competition as part of her host club’s event! Gabriella spoke about warnings throughout history and was successful in making her way to the Regional final.

Xavier Ombao (Year 8) competed in Rostrum’s Voice of Youth Junior section for the second year and showed great determination against some older opponents.

In the recent Launceston Competitions, Gabriella Smith secured a win in the Open Public Speaking Championship and has been presented with the perpetual trophy for this event.

Our next speaking opportunity is the Legacy Junior Public Speaking Awards. Participating in this event provides valuable speaking experience in a supportive and nurturing environment. Speakers also learn more about the role of Legacy in the community as part of their involvement. The College has enjoyed success several times in this event in recent years, and mentoring is offered to interested students. Watch for notices in the Bulletin, and please feel welcome to speak to Mr Rick Smith or one of the team.

Hitler's Daughter

+2

Sports Update

By Mr Harri O'Toole, Sports Coordinator

By Mr Harri O'Toole, Sports Coordinator

FOOTBALL SATIS State Grand Final Day - Saturday 16 June

Join us for the SATIS Football Grand Finals this Saturday at the St Patrick's College main oval. The Boys Senior 2nds game kicks off at noon, followed by the Boys Senior 1sts at 2:00pm.

You won't want to miss the delicious BBQ provided by Friends of Music, and BRU Coffee Hut will be there serving drinks all day. Your support means everything to our teams. Come cheer them on, and enjoy the atmosphere.

Can't attend in person? DuffTV will be live-streaming both games for you to enjoy.

Tune in to the Boys 2nds game here: https://stpatricks.co/42I7s67

For the Boys 1sts game, click here: https://stpatricks.co/446SRT7

Boys Senior 2nds
Boys Senior 2nds
Boys Senior 1sts after winning their NSATIS final
Boys Senior 1sts after winning their NSATIS final

CROSS COUNTRY

The College will be well-represented at the All Schools Cross Country Championships at Symmons Plains on Tuesday 20 June. Our Cross Country Captain is Isabella Davie.

The College's Cross Country will be held this Thursday 22 June, for students in the Middle School and Croagh Patrick. We are looking forward to a great day and hopeful for good weather.  

Principal's Message
What if...?
Catholic Identity & Mission
Ascent Program Update MVPS Update
Student & Community News
Student Achievements Windeward Bound Youth Group Uniform Store - Closed for Stocktake
Learning & Achievement
Year 11 & 12 Mid-year Examinations Year 10 Mid-year Examinations Future Pathways VET - A Week of Hands-on Learning & Adventure Bay of Fires Youth Art Prize
Wellbeing & Leadership
The Resilience Project - Mindfulness SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY - Shorts Day
Administration & Community
Debating Captain Update Hitler's Daughter Sports Update

Latest Events

june
7

Year 12 Graduation

3pm to 5pm

Socials/Join us

  • Like us on Facebook
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  • Download our Android app
Principal's Message
What if...?
Catholic Identity & Mission
Ascent Program Update MVPS Update
Student & Community News
Student Achievements Windeward Bound Youth Group Uniform Store - Closed for Stocktake
Learning & Achievement
Year 11 & 12 Mid-year Examinations Year 10 Mid-year Examinations Future Pathways VET - A Week of Hands-on Learning & Adventure Bay of Fires Youth Art Prize
Wellbeing & Leadership
The Resilience Project - Mindfulness SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY - Shorts Day
Administration & Community
Debating Captain Update Hitler's Daughter Sports Update

Latest Events

june
7

Year 12 Graduation

3pm to 5pm

Socials/Join us

  • Like us on Facebook
  • Follow us on Instagram
  • Download our iOS app
  • Download our Android app
  • Our College
  • Enrolments
  • Catholic Identity & Mission
  • Student Life
  • Community
  • Contact
With deep respect, St Patrick's College acknowledges the Tasmanian Aboriginal Community as the traditional and ongoing custodians of this land. We recognise their connection to the land, seas, air and waterways of lutruwita, and commit ourselves to the ongoing journey of reconciliation.
Main Campus
03 6341 9988
282 Westbury Road
PO Box 401
Prospect TAS 7250
Croagh Patrick (Year 9) Campus
03 6341 9999
251 Peel Street
PO Box 401
Prospect TAS 7250
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