Last Thursday evening, I had the great pleasure of spending three hours after school with the Year 12 College and House leaders as a part of the College Student Leaders in-service program. In this day and age, we are often bombarded by articles and reports through various media outlets about the poor behaviour and attitudes of young men. I found the time with our leaders to be exhilarating. Their maturity and depth of discussion and ideas and honesty allowed us to have meaningful reflection on past events and plans and also assisted us to plan for the remainder of the...
Last Thursday evening, I had the great pleasure of spending three hours after school with the Year 12 College and House leaders as a part of the College Student Leaders in-service program. In this day and age, we are often bombarded by articles and reports through various media outlets about the poor behaviour and attitudes of young men. I found the time with our leaders to be exhilarating. Their maturity and depth of discussion and ideas and honesty allowed us to have meaningful reflection on past events and plans and also assisted us to plan for the remainder of the year. I would like to particularly thank Mr Frank Torrisi for planning and facilitating the program.
On Tuesday the whole College celebrated the academic success (first semester) of many of our students during the College Academic Assembly. This is a great occasion to celebrate the learning that occurs at the College. I feel very privileged to work within the education system as learning is valued and encouraged. In my address to the students I reminded them that a day does not pass by without each of us learning something. It is also important for each of us to recognise how we learn best and refine these skills as we grow. Each of us grows and develops as humans through learning. As a Catholic school we offer a holistic education, which means that members of our community develop spiritually, intellectually, physically and emotionally. I raised two main points for the students to consider within the address, firstly that learning is alife- long process and secondly that learning develops resilience. St. Patrick's strives to be a learning community that challenges the students to be the best that they can as a unique individual. Tuesday's assembly allowed us to recognise the efforts of the many young men who worked hard to achieve exceptional academic results. I hope that each young man is justifiably proud of his efforts. I would also encourage each family to discuss their own son's results and likewise, celebrate the "personal bests" that he may also have achieved.
I had the chance to catch up with Fr Liam on Sunday. Whilst he is physically quite frail, he still appears to have a sharp memory. He asked me to thank all of the members of the community for their thoughts and prayers and hopes to get back up to the College in the future. In the meantime we will organise for some of our students to visit him on some days after school.
At last count we had well over 500 acceptances to the Grandparents' Mass and morning tea tomorrow morning. The Mass has been organised by Mr Paul Corfield and will be celebrated by Fr Anthoni Selvaraj (College Chaplain) and Fr. Modestus Mgbaramuko from the local Sandgate Parish. It is wonderful to see so many grandparents interested in their grandson's education and the College. I am sure that I will also get to meet a few of the old boys of the College. I look forward to hearing their opinions regarding the changes within the school over the years.
During this week our Year 10 students have also been meeting with staff from Business Improvement Australia (BIA). This is the second stage of their subject selection process. To date, students have completed some on-line programs. BIA staff have collated the information into a report for each student and are now meeting with them individually for 90 minutes to assist them in considering what options will be available to them for employment after school, or further study. This will assist them in their consideration for subjects leading into their senior school. These stages are new to our SET Plan process for the Year 10 students. I have received some very positive feedback so far from both the BIA mentors and students.
Last Saturday night we held a dance for the students in Years 7 – 10. It was a great event and there were many young men and women who took the opportunity to meet and socialise together. I would like to thank Mr Frank Torrisi for his great organisation of the night and the many staff and parents who attended to assist with the organisation. A special thank you also to Mr David Row and other members of the Sports Support Group who ran a small canteen throughout the night.
This Saturday, we commence the first round of the AIC Basketball and Tennis competitions. On Wednesday 5 August, our Cross Country team will also compete in the AIC Cross Country Championships at Limestone Park in Ipswich. I would like to thank all of the young men who have been selected in our teams and wish each person and team well in their respective competitions. We will recognise the teams in the usual manner with a Spirit Assembly tomorrow morning.
60 Park Parade Shorncliffe QLD 4017