On Wednesday, after our final interviews, I had the pleasure of announcing the new College Leadership Team for 2025:

Amber Hauff (College Principal)
Frank Torrisi (Deputy Principal)
Liam Casey (Business Manager)
Paul Corfield (Dean of Identity)
Sean Toovey (Dean of Students)
Roxanne Rosenberg (Dean of Teaching and Learning)
Danielle Clark (Acting Dean of Administration and Business Intelligence)

I know of, or have worked with, most of these members. I was very happy when the appointments were named because I believe that this is a well-balanced and talented team that will allow the College to thrive into the future.

The second half of this term is always an interesting time of the year for our school because of the external exams, and other camps, retreats and events. We are in a stage of planning for next year, welcoming new students, and still having normal classes for all year levels except the senior cohort who have just finished their second week of external exams with another 8 days remaining. It is a busy time for staff and can be disruptive for some of the cohorts at times because of the events such as the Year 9 Camp. During Wednesday’s assembly I mentioned this to the students and explained that this is a time for all of them to step up and support their teachers through their behaviours and cooperation.

I have been impressed by the commitment and cooperation of Year 12 students during their external exams. They have also been excellent in supporting each other to do well in a stressful time for them. Upon completing their exams, the students will graduate (13 November) and pass through the guard of honour formed by the entire student body and staff.

Last Friday’s Swimming Carnival was a great success. We had to move the carnival to the Sleeman Aquatic Centre at Chandler due to repair work being conducted at the usual Burpengary venue. Whilst it is a lengthy bus trip, the venue was outstanding for our purposes. The day went smoothly thanks to the organisation of the Sports Office, support of staff and cooperation of the students. Everything was done undercover, and the boys competed in a real competition pool. It was a lovely day with the winning House, Quane, just edging out the second placegetters, Coffey House.

During Wednesday’s assembly, I addressed the students on some matters of concern in recent weeks. Firstly, I mentioned how impressed I was with the feedback from the staff at the Sleeman Centre after the Swimming Carnival. They were full of praise for the behaviour and manners of our students. I would also like to point out the wonderful leadership exhibited by the Year 11 students. Their efforts made it a much more relaxed day.

During the assembly I reminded the students that our Vision Statement in the Strategic Plan (2024-2026) sets out what we want to look like in 2026. The statement has been on their screen savers for all this year. It reads… To be a courageous and inclusive community that welcomes, supports, and challenges everyone to be the best version of themselves, shaping a better world for all.

The point I made to the students is that we cannot be courageous unless we challenge poor behaviours otherwise, they become accepted practice by some students. I reminded the students that this school is a good community because we are willing to do things that are good for all as well as ourselves. Good communities reflect their values through their actions and words to others, not matter who and where they are. Values that are important to us cannot be selective and only used to suit different people or situations. Good communities rely on everyone knowing these values and making good choices for the good of everyone.

Unfortunately, I have received communications from members of the public outlining instances of when our students have made poor decisions. Two of these complaints came from parents of boys who are to start at our school next year. My message to the student body was that in each of these cases the students were in small groups or alone. They have the capacity to follow our rules at school and behave in the appropriate way but change when there is no one watching. My point to them was that it is the times when no one is watching that talks much about character and integrity. It is difficult for us to be a community of good people when some want to be a part of that community but do not want to try and be a good person. It is our values that reflect our actions, and our actions set the culture in the College community. It is disastrous for any community to survive on people being forced to do the right thing because they will be punished rather than the right thing because it is best for others and themselves. Our St Patrick’s community clearly articulates what we value (on screensavers), and we will always encourage students to be authentic to these through their words and actions.

As hard as it is to believe, we have just finished the middle week of the term. Our students should be well entrenched in homework and study habits by now and preparing for forthcoming assessments and exams. I encourage all parents to set aside a few minutes to “check-in” with your son(s) to ascertain where they are with their work and assessment preparation.

Our Music and Choral programs will deliver an early Christmas present with their annual Christmas by the Shore concert at the Sandgate Town Hall next Wednesday night. We also have the Senior Graduation, Guard of Honour and the Celebration of Excellence evening the following week. I look forward to seeing some of our families there and enjoying the excellent entertainment delivered by our students.
Live Jesus in our Hearts!

Chris Mayes
College Principal

This article will provide some insights into the performance of our Year 5, 7 and 9 students in NAPLAN for 2024. *Please note that all results are compared the performance of male students at both State and national levels.

A snapshot:
When comparing the scaled scores, each cohort in each test have performed better than other male students in Queensland and nationally.

Year 5:
Reading and Numeracy results are significantly stronger than the state and national outcomes in the Strong domain category.
The current cohort has stronger Numeracy results at the Exceeding level than previous cohorts.

Year 7:
Representation in the Strong and Exceeding bands is better than the state and national results in Reading, Writing, Grammar and Punctuation and Numeracy. The current cohort has stronger outcomes in the Exceeding category for Writing, Grammar and Punctuation and Numeracy.

Year 9:
Representation in the Strong and Exceeding bands is better than the state results in every test.
The current cohort has performed better in the Exceeding band than the previous cohort in each test with the same outcome in Numeracy.

An explicit improvement agenda for writing has been in place at St Patrick’s College since 2018 and the impact of this is evident in the number of students in Years 7 and 9 who are improving their internal academic results. This is now also evident in the performance comparison to the state and national results in each test. The Year 7 and 9 cohorts have a greater representation of Strong and Exceeding results compared to other male students in Queensland and nationally. This is an indication of the impact quality teaching and learning is having on student outcomes.

A massive congratulations to the young men who were presented with their ACER and NAPLAN awards this week. You should be proud of the results you achieved. I pray you continue to apply yourself using your knowledge and skills you have to make the world a better place for all.

Adam McPhee - Dean of Administration and Business Intelligence

The College Leadership Team warmly invites our families to join them for a farewell Mass honoring our departing team members: College Principal Mr Chris Mayes, Dean of Administration and Business Intelligence Mr Adam McPhee, Dean of Students Mr Darren Kearney, Dean of Identity Mr Tim Kenny, and Dean of Teaching and Learning Mr Troy Schultz. 

This event provides an opportunity for our College community to express their gratitude and best wishes and say goodbye. 

Following the Mass, please join us for tea and coffee with our Leadership Team.

Date: Tuesday, 26 November
Venue: Waterford Building (W201/202), St Patrick's College, 60 Park Parade, Shorncliffe (please enter via Main gates) followed by tea and coffee in the New Street Cafe
Time: 8:00 AM
RSVP: Please confirm your attendance HERE by Wednesday, 20 November. For further information, please contact Mrs Lisa Locke at llocke@stpatricks.qld.edu.au

We hope you can join us.