Term 2 - Week 6
By Mrs Liz Illingworth, Principal
AMAZING HUMAN BEINGS
When I wrote my last newsletter, Neale Daniher had just passed away, a courageous, selfless, and giving human being. Last Sunday, when scrolling the news, I saw the passing of Professor Richard Scolyer AO. Professor Scolyer was, like Neale Daniher, a courageous, loving, selfless, inquisitive, and brave human being. On receiving a terminal cancer diagnosis, Professor Scolyer commenced a remarkable fight.
The 2024 Australian of the Year leaves a legacy of fast-tracking revolutionary treatment by becoming ‘patient zero’ for an experimental medical trial. Professor Scolyer is another reminder to us all of the importance of hope, the power of resilience, and the value of relationships, compassion, and community. The courage and positivity that Professor Scolyer showed reminds us all to stay strong in the face of adversity.
I am sure that Neale and Richard didn’t wake up one day and think about the exact impact they wanted to leave behind. Instead, they simply chose how to respond to the cards they were dealt, with grace, grit, and an unwavering commitment to others. They remind us that legacy isn’t something we construct at the end of our lives; it is built in the quiet, daily choices to be kind, to be brave, and to show up for our community. We may not all change the world on a global scale, but we can all emulate their spirit by choosing courage over complacency.
In the same week, Fr Michael Tate AO also passed away. Tributes for Fr Tate flowed from many. He had a long and prestigious career in law and politics before becoming a Catholic Priest later in life. Many in recent days have remembered Fr Tate as a legal academic, Australian Senator, Priest, and pilgrim, who changed the landscape of the world for the better.
We pray for the repose of the souls of Professor Scolyer and Fr Tate.
This extraordinary spirit of standing up when it matters most is also found closer to home. Celebrating 110 years of Drowning Prevention Education in Tasmania, The Royal Lifesaving Society recently presented its first ever Tasmanian Royal Life Saving Commendation.
The inaugural Tasmanian Commendation was awarded to Amelia Hodge, a St Patrick’s College Year 10 student recognised for her calm and courageous actions in an emergency. At just 12 years old, Amelia noticed a young child in distress after being knocked into the water at Port Sorell. Acting quickly, she entered the water and safely brought the child back to shore.
Amelia’s actions are a powerful reminder that lifesaving skills can make all the difference, no matter your age. Her courageous actions show us all that we can go beyond, make a profound impact in our community, and that true leadership knows no age limits. St Patrick’s College is incredibly proud of Amelia's bravery and her outstanding recognition.
Whether responding to a global medical crisis, fighting a cruel disease, dedicating a lifetime to public and spiritual service, or stepping up in a split-second community emergency, these individuals embody the very essence of Excellence and Endeavour. They challenge us all to reach for our personal best, to persist through adversity, and to dedicate our skills to the service of others. May we all carry their example forward into our own daily lives.
IMPORTANT UPDATE TO VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENTS
St Patrick's College greatly values the generous contribution of our volunteers, whose support enriches the many opportunities available to our students.
As part of our ongoing commitment to child safety and compliance, we are updating some of the processes involved in engaging volunteers at the College.
Volunteers will continue to be required to provide their Registration to Work with Vulnerable People (RWVP) details and complete the College’s Safeguarding documentation. In addition to this requirement, volunteers will now also be required to complete a National Police Check and sign a volunteer agreement.
We appreciate the support of our College community as we implement these updates, which help ensure a safe and supportive environment for all students.
VPN's (VERY PRIVATE NETWORKS) AND COMPUTER CHARGING
As part of our commitment to providing a safe, focused, and effective learning environment, we want to clarify our practices regarding student device usage at the College. Recently, we have been contacting families when students utilise VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) on school grounds or frequently need to borrow laptop chargers.
We understand these notifications may raise questions, and we want to share the vital reasons behind these policies:
· VPN Usage: The College network utilises robust security filters to protect students. When a student uses a VPN, it bypasses these safety protocols, leaving their device vulnerable and hiding their online activity from school oversight. To ensure your child's digital safety, VPNs are strictly prohibited on the school network. Please note that VPN usage will be detected off site if students are using a VPN to access their Google Account. If your student needs support, please remind them to visit our IT Team.
· Laptop Charging: A fully charged laptop is a required learning tool for the school day. While we keep a limited number of chargers on hand for emergencies, frequently relying on borrowed equipment disrupts class time and takes resources away from others. Ensuring a device is charged overnight builds essential habits of personal responsibility and organization.
We appreciate your partnership in reinforcing these expectations at home so we can keep our students safe, focused, and ready to learn.
