I recently read an intriguing article titled “Fall in Love with a Place,” which featured a quote from Senegalese environmentalist Baba Dioum: “You can’t save a place you don’t love. You can’t love a place you don’t know. And you can’t know a place you haven’t learned.” This statement resonates with me, not only from an environmental perspective but also in the context of building a school community where everyone feels they belong.

Dioum’s assertion that one cannot love a place without knowing it applies equally to fostering a sense of belonging. To truly belong to a community, one must immerse themselves in it, understanding its workings and contributing to its betterment. This involves respecting people, traditions, and expectations, and recognising the mutual responsibility of both the individual and the community to foster engagement.

At St Patrick’s, our vision is to be “a courageous and inclusive community that welcomes, supports, and challenges everyone to be the best versions of themselves, shaping a better world for all.” To achieve this, we must ensure that staff, students, and families understand the community they have joined. We communicate our Vision, Mission, and values clearly, even displaying them on students’ laptop screensavers. However, words alone are insufficient; actions must follow. A good community is defined not just by its principles but by its deeds.

When students leave our community, we hope they carry with them the understanding of what it means to be in a good place and use this knowledge to improve any community they join. As the College Principal, I am committed to working with and leading staff to create an environment where everyone feels they belong. This is achieved through the opportunities and programs we offer, the values we uphold, and the messages we convey to students and families.

In my role, I often encounter families whose sons have not “learned the community” and have isolated themselves due to their actions. This isolation is frequently compounded by a lack of responsibility for their actions. These students often fail to see the value in contributing to the school community. From my experience across various schools, I advise parents to help their sons understand the community they are part of and encourage them to contribute positively through their words, actions, and attitudes. While none of us will ever be perfect, striving for authenticity in this endeavor will inherently make the community a better place.

Dioum’s words remind us that to nurture a place where everyone feels valued, we must first understand and love it. By immersing ourselves in our community, respecting its values, and contributing positively, we can create a place where everyone feels they belong and are valued for who they are.

Touchstone – Justice and Solidarity
This touchstone calls our community to be authentic in its commitment to justice and peace for all. To do so we must stand in solidarity with those who are marginalised and the earth itself through our words and actions. Through liberating educational programs, we integrate themes of justice and peace throughout our curriculum and formation programs. We also offer service and immersion programs that allow our students to work and live with as well as support those on the margins and learn from these experiences to transform their own lives and understanding of others. This touchstone also challenges us to form young people who are critical and creative thinkers and advocates in justice and peace issues.

Ridegecliffe and Shorndah Cups
Last Friday afternoon our senior students competed against St John Fisher College and Mary MacKillop College in some fun sporting activities. In what has been described as “fierce but fair” competition, everyone seemed to have an enjoyable afternoon. This is a good opportunity to share some time together before the serious period of preparation for external exams or completion of certificate courses and entry into the workforce. We are aiming to have some other events organised between the three schools for students in the younger grades next term.

SPC Arts Festival
Our creative and performing arts students showcased their talents on Tuesday evening through the St Patrick’s Arts festival. Visitors were able to view the work of talented artists, budding film makers and choral and music performances. Congratulations to all the students who displayed work or performed during the event. It was another occasion for us to show off the wonderful talents of so many of our students. A special thank you also to the many staff who made themselves available to support and assist the students in their performances.

Year 11 Leadership Retreat
Over the past three days all the Year 11 cohort have been participating in their leadership retreat. Over the course of the three days, they were involved in several workshop and interactive activities to support them to understand our leadership qualities and expectations. The pastoral team facilitated the program, and I was most impressed by the attitude, cooperation and contribution of the students. The retreat culminated with a ritual where parents pass the senior tie to their son. They are an impressive cohort who will be very supportive of Mrs Hauff next year. They will be inducted as College leaders on the first day of next term.

Year 12 September Break EA Workshop Program
Details of the EA workshop program for the September break, in collaboration with St. John Fisher College and Mary Mackillop College are available on REALM.

The September break should be viewed as a time for students to rest and reset, without losing continuity in their EA preparation.

We look forward to seeing our students engage with these opportunities in strong numbers.

Immersions
Over the holidays, several staff and students will be involved in immersion experiences. Students from Years 10 & 11 will have the opportunity to visit Noonkanbah, Western Australia in a first nations community immersion and others will visit Timor Leste where they will work with schools and travel around the islands.

AIC Track & Field Championships
The championships will be held on Thursday and Friday 3 & 4 October. Our team has been training across this term and will be well prepared for the competition. Students from Years 11 & 9 will support them for Friday’s events.

Staffing
There will be staff changes next term due to leave. Mr Philip de Villiers will be absent for the entire term on long service leave and he will be joined by Ms Eloise Svendsen and Ms Georgia Duby who will be on family leave. Mrs Rosemary Butt from our library staff will be absent on long service leave for the first six weeks of the term and Ms Victoria Gosby will also be on family leave after the third week of the term.

The following staff will be joining us:
Ms Michelle Hasking – Head of Faculty English starting Week 4 replacing Chelsea Parakas.
Ms Elyse Smallacombe – English/RE Faculty.
Mrs Claire Devine – English Faculty.
Ms Bianca Gahagan – English Faculty.
Ms Amiee Copeland – Food Services.
Ms Jasmin Burgess – Library Assistant from Weeks 1-6.

Appointment of Dean and Teaching and Learning
I am pleased to announce the appointment of Ms Roxanne Rosenberg as the replacement for Mr Troy Schultz as Dean of Teaching and Learning commencing in 2025. Roxanne is currently a member of the College Leadership Team at Marist College Ashgrove in the role of Assistant Head of College – Learning and Teaching and previously worked at St Laurence’s College for several years as the Head of Faculty Science.

Roxanne’s experience extends to leading the strategic direction of the learning and teaching program at Marist College Ashgrove, analysis of student data and improvement programs. Roxanne has also led the implementation of the learning and teaching framework, academic excellence and extension programs, and whole school mentoring programs. Roxanne has extensive knowledge and compliance across ACARA, QCAA, QCE and Skills and Training pathways.

Roxanne holds a Bachelor of Human Movements (Education); UQ and Masters on Evidence Based Practice in Education (First Class Honours); University of Melbourne.

Roxanne is excited to join our community and will bring a wealth of experience and expertise to our teaching and learning programs. We look forward to welcoming Roxanne to St Patrick’s College in 2025 as a member of our community and as a part of the College Leadership Team.

I sincerely hope that all staff, students, and families find time over the break to relax and rejuvenate, preparing for the new and exciting term ahead. To those attending immersions and the ski trip, I wish you safe travels and a truly enjoyable experience.

Live Jesus in our Hearts!
Chris Mayes 

College Principal

Is your son leaving St Patrick’s College?

Dear Parents/Caregivers,

As outlined in the Terms and Conditions of Enrolment, the College reminds families that one full term’s written notice is required if a student is leaving the College.

If your son is in Years 5 to 11 and leaving St Patrick’s College at the end of the 2024 school year, please provide written notice addressed to the College Principal, Mr Chris Mayes, of your intention to terminate your son’s enrolment.

For students leaving at the end of this year, termination of enrolment notification must be received by the start of Term 4, 2024, so that it meets the College’s requirement of one full terms’ notice thus ensuring that families are not charged a levy for late notification (one Term of tuition fees is charged for late notification).

Termination of enrolment notification, addressed to the College Principal, may be emailed to [email protected] or directly to Mr Mayes via his PA, Mrs Lisa Locke, at [email protected]

Families whose son are graduating from Year 12 this year are not required to provide notification.

Grandparents Day Mass – Secure Your Spot

Please join us for our Grandparents Day Mass at St Patrick's College in the Callan Centre on Saturday 12th October at 9.30am.

Following the Mass, we will be a hosting a lovely morning tea in our New Street Café area to continue the celebrations.

RSVPs are due by Friday 20 September via this link – Unfortunately no bookings will be accepted after this date to allow our Café staff time to plan catering.

Please ensure that you provide any dietary requirements when you submit your RSVP.

Students are required to wear their full Formal Uniform for this event (College tie is not required).