By Mrs Liz Illingworth, Principal

Approximately 250 staff work at St Patrick’s College. These 250 staff work across multiple teams and perform many and varied tasks throughout a week. There are many roles; but ultimately all staff have the same goal - to contribute to our shared mission of ensuring that every student has opportunity to learn the skills, knowledge and values to thrive in our ever changing world.

Today, we temporarily farewell, Ms Leigh Hart, who has for the past 4 years been the Head of School at Croagh Patrick. Prior to her role as Head of School, Leigh was the Director of Curriculum at Croagh Patrick. Leigh is a passionate educator who values young people and walks alongside them on their journey, helping them to be the best versions of themselves. Leigh has done this in an exceptional way at Croagh Patrick. Leigh always has her eye on the past with a view to maintaining and valuing what must continue, a focus on the present so that the right thing is happening at the right time and for the right people. She always has her eye on the future, looking at what can be done better and to new opportunities on the horizon. Leigh does this with a joyous and contagious approach that brings others alongside her.

Leigh is taking Term 3 and 4 for some well-deserved long service leave and will be returning in 2026 to work in the Performing Arts area of the College. Again, we thank Leigh for her amazing contribution to Croagh Patrick, her joyous approach to all that she does and we look forward to welcoming her back in 2026.

We are excited to welcome Mr Nick Foster to the College as the new Head of School at Croagh Patrick. Nick comes to us from Launceston Church Grammar School, where he has worked in various teaching and leadership roles over the years. Nick will be commencing in his role in Term 4. During Term 3, Mrs Janelle Manion, Director of Pastoral Care and Mrs Fiona Phillips, Director of Curriculum will be sharing the Head of School duties with support from our College Deputy Principals and myself.

We are also pleased to announce that Mrs Rachael Holloway will be continuing in her role as Head of School - Senior School for the next 4-year period.

At morning tea last week, we acknowledged some staff through our ‘Staff in the Spotlight Awards’. Each term, staff are nominated by their peers for work that goes above and beyond, reflecting our College values. In Terms 1 and 2, the following staff were acknowledged for their outstanding contributions to fostering a positive climate at the College — both through their work within the school and beyond.

STAFF IN THE SPOTLIGHT TERM 1 AND 2, 2025

I know that you will join me in thanking all our staff for the work that they do in partnering with you in supporting our young people to grow physically, socially, emotionally, spiritually and academically. Thank you for entrusting your students into our care!

We hope the next two weeks are a time for students to refresh and relax, so that they are ready to embark on the second semester of the academic year. Teaching staff will be returning on Monday 21 July for Professional Development.

We look forward to the return of students on Tuesday 22 July 2025.

Kind regards,

Mrs Liz Illingworth

Principal

By Mrs Lindsey Hills, Deputy Principal - Learning and Achievement

On Monday, 21 July all teachers at the College will be participating in a Catholic Education Tasmania professional learning day. This day will focus on sustainable professional growth of the integration of high impact teaching practices into everyday learning.

Students will commence Term 3 on Tuesday, 22 July.

By Mrs Lindsey Hills, Deputy Principal - Learning and Achievement

The Senior School Mid-Year Examination period concluded in Week 9 and our students performed admirably. We are proud of their commitment to their studies and we are excited to see the outcomes of their hard work. Results and feedback on student performance in their examinations will be published on Schoolbox in the coming weeks, after teachers have had an opportunity to mark and moderate. Please note that Progress Reports are unlikely to reflect their mid-year examination performance, as report writing for teachers closed on the final days of the Mid-Year Examinations.

By Mrs Lindsey Hills, Deputy Principal - Learning and Achievement

Year 9 Students

Year 9 students have had an opportunity to start thinking about their 2026 subject selections and pathways into the Senior School towards the end of this term, with multiple presentations during Gathering by Mr Ryan Wiese, Director of Year 10, and Ms Jodie White, Future Pathways Coordinator/Careers Advisor on pathways and course offerings at the College.

Year 9 students and their families were also invited to attend an information session on Pathways into the Senior School in Week 9 of this term. The presentation featured information about the different pathway options available in Year 10, 11 and 12, the difference between TASC and ACARA subjects, as well as our VET offerings. It provided students an opportunity to start making informed decisions before the Subject Information Evening and subject selections in early Term 3. We hope that students and families found the session informative as they begin to think ahead to Years 10, 11 and 12.

Year 10 Students

Year 10 Futures Days: Year 10 students participated in a Futures Day on Thursday, 3 July. This day provided students with an opportunity to gather information and make informed decisions regarding school subjects, courses and future careers in preparation for Year 11 subject selection. The Year 10 Futures Day delivered information on the Tasmanian Certificate of Education (TCE) and an interactive mini expo, where students can have their individual questions answered by staff and representatives from different education and training institutions, industry representatives and the University of Tasmania, as well as see a practical demonstration of our VET offerings. We hope our students found the day valuable and informative.

Year 10 Pathway Planning Interviews: Year 10 students together with their parents/guardians will be invited to make an appointment to attend a Year 10 Pathway Planning interview in the coming weeks. These interviews provide an opportunity to discuss career options and possible pathways, give a more detailed and personalised explanation of the Tasmanian Certificate of Education (TCE) and Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR), and advise on how each student can optimise their subject choices, including Year 11/12 TASC subjects/Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses/Australian School based Apprenticeships (ASbAs) opportunities. These interviews are held in the first three weeks of Term 3, prior to subject selections for 2026 occurring in Week 4. These interviews are highly advantageous and recommended for all students/parents/guardians, as they provide families with guidance based on your child’s teacher recommendations, interests and future aspirations. Parents/guardians will receive more information before the end of term about booking an interview time. The interviews are held between 2:00-5:30pm on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. Interviews will be available with the following staff members:

• Jodie White: Future Pathways Coordinator/Careers Advisor
• Shayne Russell: Careers Advisor
• Luke Wescombe: Careers Advisor
• Ryan Wiese: Director of Year 10
• Kate Rockliffe: Curriculum Director - Senior School
• Rachael Holloway: Head of School - Senior School
• Lindsey Hills: Deputy Principal - Learning and Achievement
• Kirsten Christie-Johnston: Inclusive Learning Coordinator Year 10
• Rachel Scott: EAL Learning Leader

Students who would like to book an appointment time during school hours and are unable to be accompanied by their parents/guardians may do so through any of the abovementioned staff members or can see Mrs Nicole Cullen who is located near the Front Office.

Year 11 Students

Subject Selections for Year 12 & Pathway Planning:

Year 11 students and parents/guardians will also be invited to make an appointment to attend a Pathway Planning interview, either with their child after school or for Year 11 students on their own during the school day. These interviews are designed for Year 11 students who need some support and guidance to assist them with their subject selections for Year 12.

The interviews are held between 2pm-5:30pm on Wednesday afternoons in Weeks 2-3 of Term 3. Interviews will be available with the following staff members:

• Jodie White: Future Pathways Coordinator/Careers Advisor
• Kate Rockliffe: Acting Curriculum Director - Senior School
• Lindsey Hills: Deputy Principal: Learning and Achievement
• Rachael Holloway: Head of School - Senior School

Year 11 students may also book in to see any of our Careers Advisors outside of these times as usual. They can do so in person (Future Pathways located in the Library) or by emailing careers@stpatricks.tas.edu.au.

By Ms Jodie White, Future Pathways Coordinator

Pathway Planning interviews for Year 10 students and parents are in the first three weeks of Term 3. These interviews need to be booked via the link on Schoolbox sent to parents/guardians on Monday 30 June.

The Year 10 Pathway Planning interviews provide an opportunity to discuss career options and possible pathways, give a more detailed and personalised explanation of the TCE (Tasmanian Certificate of Education) and ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank), and advise on how each student can optimise their subject choices, including TASC, VET and ASbA opportunities in Years 11 and 12.

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

MONASH UNIVERSITY PRESENTATION – TUESDAY 5 AUGUST

MONASH UNIVERSITY PRESENTATION – TUESDAY 5 AUGUST

We’re excited to be heading back to Tassie in 2025 for our annual Monash Information Evenings. These events are a great chance for students and families to learn what it’s like to study at Monash.

They’ll hear about:

• The range of study areas
• International opportunities
• Scholarships
• Entry and pathway schemes
• Accommodation options

Event details:

• Launceston: Tuesday 5 August, 6:30 - 8:00pm. Register here.

UNIVERSITY INFORMATION

2025 University Open Days

2025 University Early Entry

Upcoming Future Pathways Career Events

For bookings: https://communityportal.stpatr...

By Mr Harri O’Toole - Sports Coordinator

Our SPC 9/10 Boys Football teams have enjoyed a positive and productive first half of the NHSSA season, with both our Division 1 and Division 2 teams showing strong commitment and growth.

Division 1 faced a challenging start while several players completed their SATIS commitments but have since played with great cohesion and spirit, recording wins against Riverside, Launceston Grammar, and Kings Meadows.

Our Division 2 team joined the roster in Round 4 and has quickly settled into the competition. They've shown great teamwork in matches against Prospect, Deloraine, and Cressy, with valuable learning and development each week. Yesterday SPC won their Round 7 fixture against Brooks High School 50 - 47 in a great match, rounding out their first block of games.

Both teams will return after the school break for the final rounds of the season, focused on continued improvement, enjoyment, and representing the College with pride.

Jasper Cassidy has been selected to play futsal, joining players from across the country to compete in China next term.

Gabriella Tonelly received 3rd place in People's Choice Award in Year 9-12 category, Bay of Fires Youth Art Prize.

Alice Beaumont received the Indigenous Themes Award, Bay of Fires Youth Art Prize.

Congratulations to our students!