By Mrs Kim McInnes, Deputy Principal - Administration & Community 

This week we welcome back our College Principal, Mrs Liz Illingworth, after a period of leave. We look forward to hearing more about her time walking the Camino and know that she is refreshed and ready to return to work!

Despite the onset of winter this week, the College continues to be a vibrant and active place, with various activities occurring. Two such events include the Futsal competition with 30 Senior boys competing in the 2024 Tasmanian Schools Futsal Titles (Colleges Division), hosted by Futsal Tasmania at the Elphin Sport Centre. In addition, our debaters, under the guidance of Mr Joshua Martin, won the prestigious Parliamentary Plate last weekend - a fitting end to a very successful season for them all. 

Our Senior Drama students have this week been presenting their mid-year exam pieces,  and our other Senior students are also preparing for their upcoming mid-year exams. Year 10s will be sitting three exams over two days in Week 8, followed by our Year 11 and 12 students sitting their pre-tertiary exams over the following five days. We wish our students all the very best as they embark upon these very valuable practice exams, which enables them to experience what is required to prepare successfully for such assessments.

Last week was Reconciliation Week, with the theme of ‘Now More Than Ever’. As part of the College’s recognition of this week, a Reconciliation Breakfast was held and several of our First Nation students also went to Melbourne to celebrate the Sir Doug Nicholls Round of the AFL. Thanks must go to our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student Success Learning Leader, Ms Tracey Owers, for her tireless commitment to ensuring that we as a College continue to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements, and explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation.

We also celebrated the College Ball on May 25. Our students impressed with both their behaviour and dancing skills. Their lessons certainly paid off, with the ballroom dances being executed beautifully by all. This event gave us the opportunity to trial a new way to share College events with our community through a photo gallery available to Year 11/12 students via School Box.

This technology allows us to easily process photos, ensuring that students without photo sharing permissions, as per the enrolment form, are not published. An additional function of the technology is the automatic sorting of photos for individuals. Parents can see all published photos that depict their child in the 'View Photos' button on the parent dashboard (below the 'My Students' area). Similarly students can see their own auto sorted photos in their 'Profile' page (accessed by clicking on the student photo from the Student Dashboard). Please note that images will only appear in this area if there are images of your student that have been published and permissions are enabled. A reminder that as this is a trial, at this stage only a few selected galleries have been published.

As with all new technology, we have identified a few areas that need to be improved. If students or parents/guardians have any feedback regarding this trial process, can you please email me at kim.mcinnes@stpatricks.tas.edu.au. We do regret that we are unable to email photos individually.

As we look forward to the second half of this winter term, I would like to share with you some of Mrs Illingworth’s lessons learned on the Camino for you to reflect upon:

• Always stop to enjoy the beauty around

• Listen to the frogs and the birds

• Keep things simple

• Be prepared, be courageous and just trust the process

• Stop, rest and restore

• Feel and share the spirit of giving, kindness and compassion

• Take every opportunity that comes your way

Click here to read the the newest issue of the Launceston Parish Bulletin. 

By Mrs Rachael Hamilton, Head of Learning - Religious Education (Yrs 7-9)

In MVPS, we pride ourselves on doing things differently. At St Patrick's College we want to make sure that everyone has a sense of belonging at our wonderful school. Therefore in order for everyone to understand and know our core Catholic beliefs, in Term 1 students created a colourful Canva timeline on the significant events in Jesus’ life. Each event was accompanied by an artwork chosen by students themselves, and an explanation of the importance of each event for Christians. The standard of work overall was very impressive. This term, students in Year 7 are now investigating the Christian practice of prayer and recently, some of the Year 7 MVPS classes have created drama freeze frames on the different types of prayer.

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

We had so much fun with this activity, all while consolidating our knowledge and understanding around 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 every MVPS lesson.

By Mrs Lindsey Hills, Acting Deputy Principal – Learning & Achievement

Mid Year Examinations: Year 10, 11 and 12

Year 10 Mid Year Examinations will take place on Monday 17 June - Tuesday 18 June (these are also the Year 11/12 Study Days), and TASC Mid Year Examinations for Year 11 and 12 students will take place between Wednesday 19 June - Tuesday 25 June. During the mid-year examination period many TASC students also produce folios, oral presentations, performance pieces, practical tasks, and displays. These assessments are crucial in determining their overall performance and success, but also better equip students to handle the challenges and expectations of the end-of-year assessments as they develop their examination skills, gain confidence and build resilience in facing academic challenges.

The TASC Mid Year Examination timetable was made available to students at the Senior School Assembly in Week 4. Further information will be available via the College newsletter and on Schoolbox.

Please note that results and feedback on student performance in their examinations will be published on Schoolbox in the weeks following the Mid Year Examination period, after teachers have had an opportunity to mark and moderate.

Mid Year Reports and Parent-Student-Teacher Interviews

Reports

Parents/guardians will receive a formal Mid Year Report in Week 9 of Term 2. Similarly to last year, an A-E rating will be provided for Australian Curriculum subjects, criterion ratings will be provided for TASC subjects and competency ratings for Vocational Education courses. Tutor/Home Group teachers will also provide a Pastoral Report which includes a comment. Ongoing feedback on student progress, and Attitude and Engagement with Learning ratings will also continue to be available on Schoolbox.

Mid Year Reports are available on Schoolbox with your parent/guardian login details. They will become available at 6:00pm on Friday, 28 June. Parent-Student-Teacher Interview bookings will open at 7:00pm on this day also.

If you are unable to access Schoolbox please contact the College for support.

Parent-Student-Teacher Interviews

Mid Year Parent-Student-Teacher Interviews are scheduled for Week 10 of this term. We warmly encourage students to also attend these interviews alongside their parents or guardians.

The interviews are held at the College on Wednesday, 3 July, from 4:00pm until 8:30pm. As stated, bookings will open at 7:00pm on Friday, 28 June (Week 9). Feedback in Schoolbox on student progress in all studied courses can provide insight into your child’s progress and guide your decision as to whether you would like to make a Parent-Student-Teacher Interview.

Similarly to our Term 1 Parent-Student-Teacher Interviews, bookings can be made online using the online booking system: PTO. Information on how to book an interview will be sent to you and published in the College newsletter in the coming weeks.

By Ms Kate Rockliffe, Acting Director of Curriculum - Senior School

YEAR 11/12 MID YEAR EXAMINATIONS

The TASC mid-year examinations for Year 11-12 Students will take place in Week 8 and 9 of Term 2 (Wednesday 19 June - Tuesday 25 June). There are two study days prior to the examinations on Monday 17th June and Tuesday 18 June. No formal classes will be held on the study day or during the mid-year examination period, however, students are permitted to utilise the College library for study purposes if they wish. As the Edmund Rice Centre (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.

The two exam sitting times are at 9:00am and 1:30pm each day of the examinations. Students must report to the ERC at least 20 minutes prior to the commencement of their examination (students are asked to enter the exam room 10-15 minutes prior).

Students are permitted to wear neat, casual clothing to their examinations and all College rules apply at all times. Students are required to be fully equipped with pens, pencils, erasers, rulers, calculators, etc which are to be placed in a plastic zip-lock bag. They are not permitted to bring paper, notes, food, drinks (with the exception of an unmarked bottle of water), mobile phones or smart watches into the examination.

Students will be provided with further examination instructions in the coming weeks.

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 or at a later date in consultation with the relevant teacher.

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. Those students we are aware have a diagnosis and/or professional reports will be contacted regarding their examination arrangements in the coming weeks.

Year 10 Mathematics Methods

Year 10 Mathematics Methods students will sit their examination for this subject with the Year 11/12 students on Tuesday 25 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 period 5-6. More information will be provided to these students in the coming weeks.

Exam study tips and resources

Study tips and further resources can be found on Schoolbox here.

If you have any questions regarding mid-year examinations, please contact me at krockliffe@stpatricks.tas.edu.au.

YEAR 10 MID YEAR EXAMINATIONS

Mid-year examinations for Year 10 Students will take place in Week 8 of Term 2 on Monday 17 and Tuesday 18 June. Students will have Science and Mathematics exams on Monday and English on Tuesday morning before returning to normal classes after recess.

Students will attend tutor as usual in the morning before arriving promptly to the Edmund Rice Centre (ERC). Students will sit their first exam in period 1-2 in the morning, have a study opportunity in period 3-4 before commencing their second exam for the day in period 5-6. Students will have recess and lunch breaks as usual.

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. Those students we are aware have a diagnosis and/or professional reports will be contacted regarding their examination arrangements in the coming weeks.

Year 10 Mathematics Methods students

As previously stated, Year 10 students enrolled in Mathematics Methods will sit their examination for this subject with the Year 11/12 students on Tuesday 25 June at 9:00am. These students will not attend Tutor on this day as they will be required to be at the Edmund Rice Centre (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 period 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.

Further information about the Year 10 exams can be found on Schoolbox HERE

Please note that students will not be able to access the ERC for heating food, toasting sandwiches etc during the Year 11/12 mid year examinations (Wednesday 19 June - Tuesday 25 June). For those Year 10 students with a locker in the ERC, alternative access arrangements will be made during the Year 11/12 Exam period. These will be outlined in the Exam assembly and on the relevant Schoolbox group page.

If you have any questions regarding Year 10 mid-year examinations, please contact Assistant Director (Senior School), Mr Ryan Wiese, via email at ryan.wiese@stpatricks.tas.edu.au.

Year 10 Mid-year Examination Timetable

Paige O’Neill has been selected as one of three athletes to represent Netball Tasmania at an upcoming training camp with the Adelaide Thunderbirds.

Monty Manion recently won the Canberra Junior Tour in cycling. This race consisted of four stages, a Road Race (3rd), Criterium (11th), Time Time (1st) and a Kermesse (5th).

Petalynn Webb was presented the Peak Award for Scouting in her section of the 'Australian Scout Award'. It was presented by the Governor of Tasmania at the Tasmanian Scout AGM.

Sophie Hills has qualified to swim in Brisbane at the Australian Trials for the Paris Olympics.

Isabella Martin has been selected to play for the U15 State Hockey Championship side, playing in Queensland this year. Charlie Ross and Cadele Harris have also been selected to play in the U18 State Hockey Championship side.

Well done to all students. 

By Mr James McGoran, Head of Library and Information Services

Normally a newsletter article about reading would be paired with some local or national event, such as Australian Reading Hour, or National Simultaneous Story Time, or Library and Information Week. Not this article though. I wanted specifically not to link this piece to an event to emphasise the point that we don’t need big showy projects designed to grab your attention to talk about the importance of reading.

On that point, recent research highlighted in Margaret Merga’s 2023 book Creating a Reading Culture in Primary and Secondary Schools shows what we already know: that reading, and particularly reading of fiction, is the best way to improve student literacy, and that engaging in reading for pleasure drastically increases student physical and mental wellbeing.

In the text, Merga focuses on practical strategies on how to build a reading culture, and talks about the importance of access to quality school libraries both in and out of class time; the importance a school places on reading; and the impact of open and enthusiastic teacher modelling of a “reader” identity. It is my privilege to tell you that St Patrick’s College does an excellent job of all of these points and more. We are of course always striving to improve, but we sometimes forget how lucky our students are here.

Outside of school, parental modelling is another important aspect of promoting reading engagement, with parents or other significant adults having a “significant impact” on their young people’s attitudes to reading, literacy level and learning outcomes.

But what does that look like? Here are some simple strategies you can use at home:

• Actively make time to read for pleasure for yourself and be seen reading by your child;

• Talk about books, often and with enthusiastic vigor! Old favourites, new releases, film adaptations, TikTok (or BookTok) trends, controversial books, anything and everything;

• Encourage and praise your children with their reading. Ask your child about the book they’re reading or have been assigned in class;

• Set aside time for family reading, a weeknight or a Sunday afternoon;

• Read aloud to your children. Revisit those times when they were little. It might seem amusing, but despite most people thinking that being read to is a lower primary activity, the research actually shows that reading aloud to students is quite beneficial even into the Senior years of high school and potentially beyond;

• Share books with others. Swap books with your friends and family. Visit the Little Free Libraries that have popped up around your neighbourhood or in the city. Go to a charity shop with your children and give new life to old books by gifting them to each other to read.

Reading is one of the most beneficial things any of us can do for learning; for wellbeing; and for pleasure. Those of you who are scientifically inclined may be 

“interested to learn that recent analyses suggest that ‘the total effects of reading (ie literacy) on science were much more than those of mathematics’, … given that cross-curricular prerequisites for high-level science subjects are typically related to mathematics attainment rather than reading attainment.”

I hope this has been useful for you, and maybe even inspired you to restart or continue discussions with your children around books and reading, to (re)discover the joy it can bring. Maybe, you might even find the energy to tackle that 'to be read' pile on the table beside your bed. Who knows? When you read, anything is possible.

Reference
Merga, M 2023, Creating a Reading Culture in Primary and Secondary Schools, Facet, London.

In Week 4 (Thursday 23 May - Friday 24 May) students in Ms Steven’s English Literature class travelled to Sydney to enrich their study of Henrik Ibsen’s 1879 play, A Doll’s House.

Accompanied by Ms Elizabeth Steven and Mr Jarrod Fawdry, students Jack Adams, Leah Davis, Kaitlin Rheinberger, Chloe Richards, and Gabriella Smith attended the Actors Centre Australia performance and education session (live Q&A with professional cast and director) in Leichhardt. This provided a unique platform for exploring their TASC-prescribed text. Students were encouraged to consider how perspectives conveyed through texts from other times and cultures can be renewed for a contemporary Australian audience.

In addition to Thursday night’s theatre performance, as part of their Term 2 focus on Kate Grenville’s 2008 novel The Lieutenant, students undertook a walking tour of Dawes Point–Tar-Ra and the historic Rocks region of Sydney, visiting key locations of first contact between the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation and First Fleet astronomer William Dawes. Students read extracts focused on a fictionalised Dawes and local Gadigal woman Patyegarang and contemplated the significance of language and cultural understanding in Australia’s past, present, and future.

A highlight of the two-day excursion was visiting Mary MacKillop Place in North Sydney and spending time interacting with Father Ben Brooks. Father Ben offered a personalised tour of the museum, grounds, and the Mary MacKillop Memorial Chapel where, following a short prayer service, students and staff spent time reflecting at Blessed Mary MacKillop’s tomb.

By Ms Jodie White, Future Pathways Coordinator

UTAS SCHOOL RECOMMENDATION PROGRAM, SRP - OPENS 27TH 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, UTAS SRP Presentation will be coming to the College on Thursday 13 June at lunchtime in the ERC (R6). 

DEAKIN UNIVERSITY RESIDENCES WILL BE VISITING ST PATRICK’S COLLEGE

Come along and find out about various accommodation options at Deakin University, application process and scholarships.

When: Friday 14 June at Lunchtime (bring your lunch)

Where: ERC – R9

UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE PRESENTATION - MONDAY 5TH AUGUST

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

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 

Upcoming Future Pathways Career Events – Term 2

Ms Rachael Holloway, Head of School – Senior School

Doing the rounds on social media this week is an article by the Barefoot Investor, Scott Pape, telling the harrowing story of a 16-year-old who got caught up in sextortion with devastating results. I am sure many of you have seen it. In the article, Pape mentions former Victorian Police Officer, Susan McLean. McLean is a renowned expert in online safety. 

In 2023 I had the privilege to hear McLean speak. Her presentations are confronting, eye-opening, and full of practical advice. McLean now leads CyberSafety Solutions, an organisation leading parents and schools through this space. I thoroughly recommend every parent engage with CyberSafety Solutions’ parent sessions. This is free of charge and will provide you with the tools to support your child. Here in the Senior School we will continue to educate our young people on cyber safety and provide information regarding sextortion and other cyber safety issues on our TV screens around the school. Please never hesitate to reach out to the College for support should you require it.

Last Saturday night, we celebrated the Midnight in Paris themed Senior College Ball at the Tailrace Centre. What a magical evening! Our students looked amazing, the venue was superbly decorated and the dances were stunning. Well done to the Year 12 Ball Committee who worked so hard in the weeks leading up to ensure everyone had a perfect night. Congratulations to all of our Senior students, who conducted themselves in such a mature manner. Plans are already underway for our 2025 Ball, which will also be held at the Tailrace Centre.

Last newsletter I mentioned the upcoming Mid-year Exams. These exams, for Years 10 and Years 11 & 12, are now only one week away. This can be a very stressful time for students. If you feel your child is struggling in any way, again, do not hesitate to reach out. We can help support students in many ways, including through our SWSS team and after-school tutoring.

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

As 2024 Catholic Identity and Mission Captains, our role is to enrich both the St Patrick’s College community and the broader community by fostering the College’s Mission and values. Through our leadership, we seek to enact the College’s mission statement: “to be a school of faith, learning, respect and service in the Catholic tradition” and promote the values of Catholic identity, individuality, excellence and endeavour, leadership, relationships, stewardship, compassion and social justice.

One way we actualise such values is through our collaboration with the Mission Implementation Committee, which is comprised of eight Year 11 students. Involvement with this committee has enabled us to share insight from the student body on how to further the thriving faith and spiritual life within the College. Throughout these meetings, we have helped to plan the inclusion of House Founders in pastoral care (PC) sessions, Founders’ Day, fundraising initiatives and key liturgical events, as well as refining the 2024-28 Strategic Plan.

On Saturday our Year 11 and 12 cohort participated in the annual Senior College Ball, the theme this year was 'Midnight in Paris'. This year's ball was set at the Tailrace Centre in Riverside which was decorated by our very own Ball Committee. The senior students danced the night away courtesy of our very own DJs, Summer and Rhys. The night was certainly one to remember arriving in fancy cars and gowns to walk the renowned red carpet.

Last week was Reconciliation Week and the 2024 theme was 'Now More than Ever'. The Wellbeing Captains hosted a breakfast on Tuesday morning to discuss this year’s theme and promote reconciliation. There was plenty of food, and anyone was welcome to attend. A fair amount of people showed up, and dug into the brekkie wraps that were provided by the canteen staff. This was a vital opportunity to embrace the abundance of lessons from First Nations people and promote reconciliation.

A Year 8 student and 68 of our Year 9 Art students have entered into the 2024 Bay of Fires Youth Art Prize. All of their work will be on display at Portland Hall in St Helens from this Thursday to Sunday.

They have done a brilliant job, and we encourage you to visit if you are heading that way this weekend.

Please be advised of the upcoming footpath renewal works along Bimbimbi Avenue and Westbury Road, Prospect Vale. As a result of the work, a section of these roads will be subject to traffic and pedestrian control management:

Bimbimbi Avenue (spanning both sides of the road from Jardine Crescent to Westbury Road)

There will be a reduced speed limit and redirection of pedestrians. No road closures are proposed. Two lanes will always remain open to traffic, although one lane may be appropriately narrowed to allow for traffic cones along the working area.

Westbury Road (from Bimbimbi Avenue northwards to opposite Mace Street, and southwards to the shopping centre carpark)

There will be a reduced speed limit and redirection of pedestrians. No road closures are proposed. Two lanes will always remain open to traffic, although one lane may be appropriately narrowed to allow for traffic cones along the working area. The bus stop in front of the Prospect Vale Marketplace shopping centre will not be affected except for roadwork/footpath signage placed on the footpath.

For a visual representation of the project area, please refer to the image below.

Weather permitting, the works will commence on 20 May 2024, with a total duration of approximately seven weeks. The contractor has advised that he will be starting with the footpath sections in Bimbimbi Avenue, before moving on to Westbury Road.

Please travel carefully in this area and follow the directions of all traffic signage in place.

The College would like some feedback on how our families are receiving communications and notifications. A survey has been published through Schoolbox News, for parents to complete three questions to provide us with some insight. This survey will be accessible from June 7-14.

Schoolbox assistance will be available at Parent Teacher Night on Wednesday 3 July. You will be able to book a ten minute slot for face to face assistance, to address any issues or to help you get the most out of using Schoolbox.

By Mr Andrew Agardy, PIC Soccer

NSATIS Juniors Report

SPC fielded five Junior teams this year, with four boys teams spread across two divisions, and one girls team. Combined, around 80 players are representing SPC in junior soccer this year. The new Wednesday afternoon time slot for matches has proven generally successful.

In Division 1, SPC Gold, coached by Mr Russell, has enjoyed some success. They have won three of four matches so far, and will enjoy some challenges in the next two rounds against Scotch and Launceston Grammar. SPC Green, a younger squad under the guidance of Mr Owen, have put in some gutsy performances, especially most recently against SPC Gold, in what was an impressive fight back in the second half, showing the team’s true potential.

In Division 2, SPC Gold, coached by Mr Paschek, have enjoyed much success. They are currently sitting mid-table having won two and lost two. We wish them the best of luck for their elimination final against Launceston Christian School on 12 June. SPC Green, managed by Mrs Hack and coached by Year 12 student Emmanuel Koroma, remain winless, but not without the claim of some very close, if not unlucky, score lines against both Scotch Oakburn 2nds and Launceston Grammar 2nds.

Mr Mountney has led an inspirational Junior Girls team that remains undefeated and in line to win the league. He has consistently praised the efforts and commitment of these Year 7 and 8 girls. We wish them all the best for the rest of their season!

Senior Soccer 

Senior Soccer sign-ups close this week, and we hope to field the following NSATIS Senior teams in 2024:

• Senior Boys 1sts

• Senior Girls 1sts

• Senior Boys 2nds (one or two squads)

Pre-season training and trials for the Senior Boys 1sts and Senior Girls 1sts will commence in Week 9 of Term 2, with the season set to begin in Week 2 of Term 3.

Futsal

On Thursday 30 May SPC was represented by 30 senior boys in the 2024 Tasmanian Schools Futsal Titles (Colleges Division), hosted by Futsal Tasmania at the Elphin Sport Centre. In what was a fiercely competitive competition, against teams from across Northern Tasmania, SPC managed to win the Northern Final, with our winning team 'SPC 1' overcoming another St Pat's team 'SPC 2' in a nail biting finish to the tournament. This has now opened pathways to competing in regional and then national schools tournaments in the near future. Congratulations to all of the boys involved, who represented their school with great enthusiasm and true sportsmanship.

2024 Melbourne Soccer Tour

Over the Term 1 holidays, SPC Soccer embarked on its inaugural, and very successful, Senior boys’ soccer tour to Melbourne. Fourteen Year 10, 11 and 12 students indulged in a holistic and enjoyable experience of Melbourne through a uniquely ‘football lens’ over four days. The boys cannot be praised highly enough for their conduct, enthusiasm and positive attitudes throughout the tour.

The tour included: friendly matches against two quality opposition youth sides, in a Western United FC Academy / SEDA team and against the Peninsula Grammar School Firsts; participation in an early morning training session with the elite Maribyrnong Sports Academy soccer program; a visit to both South Melbourne FC and the Victorian Institute of Sport; attendance of a Melbourne Victory training session; attendance of a lively Victorian NPL1 match between Heidelberg United FC vs Moreland City FC (at which the group were treated to a delightful meet and greet with Moreland player and SPC Old Collegian, Fletcher Fulton); and attendance to an A-League match, Melbourne Victory vs Brisbane. Cultural activities included visits to the Eureka Skydeck, South Melbourne Market, dinner on Lygon Street and a kick-about followed by breakfast at the Ultra Football emporium on the final morning. 

Many thanks are due to Mr Schipper, Mr Smith, and to the families and many SPC staff who made this tour possible!

By Mr Geoff Dodds, 2nds Coach

Round 4: v SBSC at Girdlestone Park - Wednesday, 22 May

SPC Green 7.9.51 def by SBSC 13.13.91

Goals: Ryan Blackberry 2, Lincoln Philpott, Koby Mayne, Harrison Millwood, Matthew Hernyk & Jaxon Owens

Best: Harrison Millwood, Lincoln Philpott, Jaxon Owens, Cameron Nicholas, Isiah Stingle, Darcy Noone & Billy Porte

Round 5: v SBSC at SPC - Wednesday 29 May

SPC Green 10.9.69 def SBSC 6.5.41

Goals: Jaxon Owens 4, Tom Mineall 2, Ethan Arnott 2, Darcy Noone & Cameron Nicholas

Best: Matthew Hernyk, Harry Gunn, Jaxon Owens, Ethan Arnott, Darcy Noone, Tommy Powe,
Isiah Stingle, Casey Noble, Oliver Holmes & Declan Rae