Last Friday our students were invited to wear a bow tie for the day rather than their usual school tie. This gesture was open to all students within EREA schools across Australia. It was an initiative of the ERA for Change advocacy group whereby students were invited to become Stella Fellas to highlight the advocacy work being done for women who are victims of domestic violence and human trafficking. The issue of domestic violence is particularly poignant in Australian society at the moment and has been very much under the media and political spotlight. I also believe that this issue is of significant importance for boys' schools as current statistics indicate that approximately 93% of victims are women. During Tuesday's Assembly I focused my address to the students on this issue. Research completed by Jane Mulroney (Senior Research Officer) for the Australian Domestic and Family Violence Clearing House reveals that 23% of women who have ever been married or in a de facto relationship, experienced violence by a partner at some time during the relationship. Furthermore, her research found that younger women (18 – 24 years) were at greater risk.

My point to our student body was that we all have the power to influence other people. This is a good thing in that our lives are shaped by not only our experiences by the influence that other people have had on us. However, our challenge is the way in which we use power to influence others. The unfortunate reality of the statistics around domestic violence is that physical power in the form of violence or sexual abuse has occurred. In our Catholic community, power should always be about relationships. If we are to influence others in a positive way, it needs to be done through right relationships and a respect for the dignity of the other. This is not the case in domestic violence. Many of our young men are reaching an age where they will be developing relationships with young women. Our role as significant adults to these young men is to model to them what should be expected in a relationship that is considered to be a 'right relationship'. It is not a case of them looking for the right person for them but rather for them to be the right person. Consequently, their behaviour and expectations in their relationships need to be about equality and respect. My final word to the young men was that if they can develop a self-awareness about how they react to situations in moments of pressure or fear, this can be significant to them in the future. If they currently react through physical or verbal abuse, there is a clear message for them to learn. As significant adults, it is the role for all of us to challenge them on this behaviour and assist them to look at alternative ways to deal with these situations. Good strong messages around condemnation of domestic violence and violent behaviour need to be constantly reinforced to our young men and the Stella Fella day was a great way to start a dialogue, not matter what age of our students.

We will be soon asking for interested families to assist us in our Indigenous Homestay program by offering to host an Indigenous student/s for next year so that they can attend the College. At this point we are unsure how many students will be attending. However, we will be holding an information night for parents on the evening of Wednesday 6 October. I would encourage any family who might be interested to attend this meeting.

Last Friday evening, we received the news that Mrs Susan Harris gave birth to a baby boy. Rory Harris is safe and sound and Susan is resting and well. Also, Mrs Stevie-Jae Hepburn finished at the College to commence a period of maternity leave. Stevie-Jae will be on leave until the end of the first semester next year. Mrs Annette Holmes has replaced her for this period of leave.

On Monday evening I had the opportunity to attend the Year 12 QTAC evening and the Year 11 Drama performance. The QTAC evening was well attended by families and students and I would like to thank Mr Chris Campbell and Mrs Emily Rotta for their organisation of the evening. We were also fortunate to have many of the Brisbane based universities have a booth in the Callan Centre on the evening to meet before the main presentation. I was most impressed with the Year 11 Drama presentation. The students worked with Year 11 students from St John Fisher College over a period of just six weeks. What they produced on the night was very good. The Year 12 students perform tonight and tomorrow night, also with students from St John Fisher College. The performance will be at St John Fisher on both nights.

Last night I attended the UHL Cup Football final. This is a competition of teams from schools spread across the South East corner of Queensland. Our First XI football team competed against Brisbane State High School for the trophy last night. This game was the culmination of many knock-out games that were played from the beginning of the second term. On the final whistle BSHS defeated our team 2-0. However, as Principal of the College, I was extremely proud of the way that our team performed, not only last night but throughout the entire season. I would also make special mention of Harry Smith, not only because of his skills and abilities as a footballer, but his leadership throughout the campaign was outstanding. I was also very proud of our supporters. The game was played at 7:45pm at Annerley football ground and we filled two 54 seat buses and also had to use the College bus. Many of these young men remained at school after classes finished and studied and worked in the library until 6:00pm. They very much outnumbered the BSHS supporters and their support for our team was exceptional. The College Principal and coach of the opposition as well as the opposition captain all commented to me about the number of our students who attended to support our team and the great atmosphere that they created.

I ask the community to keep Mr Nick Scully and his children in your prayers. Nick is the College Principal of St Brendan's Yeppoon, another of our EREA network schools. Nick's wife recently passed away after a battle with cancer and her funeral was held on Friday.

Next Tuesday and Wednesday many of our Year 12 students will undertake the Queensland Core Skills (QCS) Test. The students have been practising for the tests since the beginning of the year and their results from the practice tests have been steadily improving. I am sure that the whole community would join with me in wishing the students the very best for these tests.

Mr Chris Mayes - College Principal

The Queensland Core Skills (QCS) Test will take place for all Year 12s next week. This will be the culmination of a year long program for our senior students. Our practice test results have shown a steady improvement throughout the year. All students will receive their feedback sheets and final practice test marks on Friday morning.

Any Year 12s who have a verification or a College student support profile must see me on Friday or Monday to talk about any special provisions that may have been allocated.

Once the QCS Test finishes the Year 12s will move fairly quickly into end of term exams. These exams are particularly important. Once complete we will use marks from all of this year to create our rank orders in each subject. It is a requirement that we rank students from top to bottom. This rank order is very important in the calculation of student OP scores.

Industry Placement students need to be aware that in order to receive Certificates all modules must be completed. I am not able to sign off any subjects that have modules outstanding.

Many thanks to all involved in the Year 10 SET Plan day last Friday. The willingness of parents to accompany their sons and the excellent level of preparation from the young men was greatly appreciated. Thanks to all the mentors and also to Mrs Maxine Nott for her tireless organisation.

Mr Chris Campbell - Assistant Principal - Curriculum

Last Friday the ERA for Change group led the Stella Fella campaign by wearing bow ties to school. The bowties signified our Men of Action taking a stance against women who are victims of human trafficking and domestic abuse. This sign of advocacy is very important as our young men were providing a voice for those who are so often not heard and continue to suffer at the hands of those who exploit them. Our ERA for Change men have reflected on the following data to inform this particular advocacy initiative:

• 1.2 million children are bought, sold and trafficked every year
• 600,000 - 800,000 men, women and children are trafficked across international borders each year
• Approximately 80% of trafficking victims are women and girls and up to 50% are minors
• Human trafficking effects every continent, country and every type of economy
• 1 woman is killed every week by a current or former partner in Australia
• Australian Police handle one domestic violence matter every 2 minutes
• Women and girls are still being forced into marriages against their will, particularly in Asia, the Middle East and sub-Saharan Africa.
• Over 60 million girls worldwide married before the age of 18, primarily in South Asia (31.3 million) and sub-Saharan Africa (14.1 million)
• Women are most likely to experience violence than other groups in the society: 93% of victims were women, 3% youth and 4% elderly

ERA for Change supports organisations working to end human suffering

A Stella Fella or Stella Bella is a young man or woman who will stand up for women everywhere and ensure all are treated with dignity and respect. A big thank you to the ERA for Change group for getting behind such a great cause. Students and staff taking part in the event were among thousands of people from ERA for Change schools around Australia presenting this very dignified and visible stand against violence against women

Miss Fisk has also been asking staff and classes to sign up for "He for She" and add their names to the growing list of people willing to stand up for women's rights and equality.

To register go to the following link: http://www.heforshe.org

To read more about Stella Fella visit: projectfutures.com/stellafella

Mr Paul Corfield - Acting Assistant Principal - Identity

Parents are reminded that photos will be taken on Friday 4 September for the groups listed below. Students should wear College formal uniform . Team uniforms should be brought to school on the day for team photos.

• House Leaders
• Basketball
• Chemistry Titration
• Hockey
• Theatresports
• Chess
• Tennis
• Immersion Students - India, East Timor, Noonkanbah
• Bands – Concert, Stage
• Art Club
• Chess Club
• Year 12 Cohort
• Year 5-12
• Cross Country
• Track & Field

Mr Matthew Hawkins - Acting Assistant Principal - Staff and Administration

Exploring the New Frontier in Parenting – Emotions

Extract from Michael Grose - Parenting Ideas (2015)

So what is this new frontier of parenting? Emotions are now recognised as an important part of the parenting landscape. Here are five ideas to help you explore the alien landscape of kids' emotions.

It's official!

Emotions are now part of the parenting and educational mainstream!

For some time they've been relegated as a sideshow to the main events of discipline, confidence building, character building, and lately, resilience.

Not now.

The recently released movie Inside Out gives life to emotions in a fun, accessible way. It's a wonderful demonstration of why we must put emotional intelligence front and centre in our parenting and teaching. The quickest pathway to happiness and success is the acceptance and recognition of feelings.

This is not a new idea. Over 2,000 years ago Socrates reminded his Greek compatriots, "Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all."

Current day muse Dr. Marc Brackett, Director of the Yale Centre for Emotional Intelligence is more expansive. He says, "Emotions matter as they drive learning, decision-making, creativity, relationships and health."

This is not to say that we ignore children's poor behaviour, neglect to set limits or not ask anything of them when they've experienced hardship at school. Accepting and recognising emotions is an added layer in our interactions with kids, which may well be the missing link in building cooperation, connection and resilience.

Emotions are messy. They can be loud. They can be hidden. They so often interrupt our well-organised schedules. "What do you mean you're sad? We're off to watch a movie. It's a happy time!" Emotions are hard to control and difficult to see. Like slippery eels swimming in a dam, you know that they are down there somewhere but it's hard to figure out just what they are doing.

It's a wonder parents haven't smartened up to emotions earlier because 'good parenting' is hard emotional labour. When your three-year old throws a tantrum in a supermarket and all you can do is grin and bear it (rather than throwing your own tantrum or doing what you really feel like which is disowning your own child!) you're doing hard emotional labour.

When you console and contain the hurt of a primary school aged child who throws himself at your feet howling that everyone hates him, you are doing emotional labour.

Staring down a teenager who looks you straight in the eye while spitting out "I hate you!" because you've denied their request to go out is hard emotional labour. Parents do emotional labour all the time. That's one of the reasons it's so draining.

Accepting kids' emotions means we need to listen to them. We need to be mindful of their feelings as well as their behaviours and thoughts, which is what most parents and teachers are conditioned to do. We've built a broad vocabulary around behaviour management featuring terms such as consequences, limits and boundaries and time-out, to name a few. And the perennial 'To smack or not to smack' question shows we are very willing to have debates about behaviour management methods, but discussions about emotional management are few and far between.

The limits of many parents' emotional vocabularies are matched by the limitations in method as well. Most parents when asked can provide plenty of ways to raise a well-behaved child but I suspect many would struggle if asked to name three or more ways to build their children's emotional smarts. This is not a criticism but an acknowledgement of lack of training in the area.

Ask yourself, "Who taught you how to recognise, manage and regulate your emotions?" If you answered your parents then lucky you. They've given you the tools you need to have successful relationships, to maximise your earning potential (I kid you not) and to behave like a champ, not a chump, when playing sport and participating in other competitive or high performance activities. If you were able to identify any adult who taught you emotional intelligence then I suspect you are in rare company. My guess is you probably couldn't identify anyone, so your emotional intelligence (if you've read this far you have the emotional smarts needed for focus, self control and concentration) is unconscious, rather than conscious, making it hard to teach or pass on emotional intelligence skills to kids.

So where do we start? Here are five ideas to help you explore the alien landscape of kids' emotions, the new frontier of parenting:

1. Listen first - When your child fusses and fumes about some wrong-doing or hurt they've experienced - clear your mind and listen. Avoid trying to fix the situation just show understanding and compassion. There is no better feeling then being understood.

2. Contain rather than manage (let your kids do the managing) - Children's behaviour can become tangled up in upsets and disappointments. It's hard to separate their behaviour from their feelings. Sometimes as a loving, caring adult you just have to soak up their feelings, and give them the time and space to soothe their own souls. We don't have to do that for them.

3. Know that emotions can be pleasant and unpleasant - We often place value judgements on emotions by saying some emotions are good or positive (happy, motivated, energised) while some are bad or negative (sad, worried, sullen). Avoid passing judgement in such ways. Recognise that emotions are pleasant or unpleasant and that all emotions are acceptable, whereas some behaviours (such as hurting someone when you are angry) are unacceptable.

4. Build a vocabulary around emotions - Just as feelings have names, there are terms for the emotional intelligent parenting method. For instance," I-messages" are a type of communication used by parents and adults who take an emotions-first approach.

5. Help your kids recognise, then regulate emotions - Ever told a child to calm down only to see their emotions escalate? Kids, like adults, need to recognise their feelings before they can regulate their emotional state, and that's not easy. Emotional recognition is a complex process that takes practice. Even when we are good at it we don't always get it right. Learning to recognise your feelings is a continuous process that's best started when young, before the ups and downs of adolescence becomes a reality.

Emotional intelligence is best learned when it becomes part of your family's culture, or way of doing things. When it becomes part of your family's DNA then emotional intelligence will be passed down from generation to generation. You'll know it's had generational impact when your children identify you as the person who trained them in the skills of emotional intelligence. How cool is that!

Leadership 2016

The process of leadership selection for 2016 has commenced with staff and students nominating and selecting the College Leaders this week. The process for the selection of House Leaders will occur over the next few weeks. The three criteria for leadership are being:

1. Men of word
2. Men of action
3. Men of character

Year 12 Students - Term Exit Procedure

On Friday 4 September students in Year 12 will be involved in a Term exit process. The process will involve students being signed off by the academic and pastoral areas of the College. Year 12 students will meet with their House Deans during Period 7 and once they have been processed are able to leave school to commence their block exams. If a student has not fulfilled his academic or pastoral commitments he will be required to stay at school during exam block until all those commitment have been fulfilled. All students must have their parents/guardians sign the forms.

All Hallows School Social

• Friday 28 August 2015
• 7pm - 10pm
• Years 7-8
• All Hallows School, Loretto Hall
• $10 Entry
• Current ID is essential for entry
• Normal College expectations in relation to conduct and dress apply - All students need to be aware if they are attending true and respectful behavior is expected.
  • Modest and appropriate standard of behaviour on the dance floor
  • Dress standard to be appropriate for a school event, which includes no singlets, inappropriate slogans or thongs.

Mr Frank Torrisi - College Dean - Student Formation

The AIC Round 5 competition this weekend is against St Laurence's College. Our senior teams are away in both Basketball and Tennis. Please note that as the St Laurence's hall is under construction, all Basketball games scheduled for St Laurence's have moved to the Chandler Indoor Sports Centre. Both St. Patrick's College and the St Laurence's 1^st Basketball teams remain undefeated, so the game takes on extra importance for both schools. Basketball players are requested to remain at Chandler to support our 1^st V at 12pm. Players must bring their formal uniform to change into after the completion of their game. A supporter bus will depart St. Patrick's College at Pier Avenue at 10.15am. The Paddies Battalion needs you!

Track & Field training is in full swing at present. Students and parents are reminded that it is an excellent opportunity for students to improve their speed, strength and power through participation in the training activities. Increased athletic performance is going to help students compete in their other chosen sports. Training is open to all students, not just the athletes trying to gain school selection. Following the Inter-House carnival Mr Ryan Schultz sent many emails to students who showed 'talent' and invited them to participate. All training sessions are listed on the Track and Field page on Connect (link here»).

The 1 ^st XI Football were courageous in defeat in the final of the Uhlsport Cup on Wednesday night against Brisbane State High School. It has been an excellent season for the squad and coaching staff of Mr Gary Ward, Mr Jonathan Hall and Mr Jackson Alves. Having already won the EREA Cup and the AIC premiership these players can lay claim to be the absolute best in South East Queensland in 2015.

The St. Patrick's Hockey team has been competing on Friday afternoons in the Brisbane Independent Schools competition. Special thanks to Mrs Marthy Watson and Ms Peta Triggell for coaching and managing the team. The squad's results so far have been mixed, but last week they had a strong 3-1 win over Padua College.

St. Patrick's half season Cricket is a subcommittee of the St. Patrick's College Sport Support Group. The students will compete in the Brisbane North Junior Cricket Association club competition from October through to December. Students wishing to play AIC Cricket for St. Patrick's in 2016 are requested to register for the half season competition. Sign on was held last weekend. Late registration enquires should be directed to Mrs Helen Jones (contact details listed on the registration form).

On Friday 9 October, St. Patrick's College will hold its inaugural Sportsman's Lunch. The event will be held at the Eatons Hill Tavern Grand Ballroom. All funds raised will be used to further develop the College's sporting program, more specifically to improve training resources and enhance coach education. Sponsorship is sought for the event. Please register your sponsorship interest by contacting Mr Ryan Schultz, event coordinator.

St. Patrick's College is hosting the State Under 12 Rugby Championships at Curlew Park this Friday to Sunday. Our Sport Support Group have a great opportunity to raise funds for the students of the College through the canteen. If you would be able to assist anytime throughout the three day carnival please drop down to Curlew Park - Friday 9.00am – 2:00pm, Saturday 8:00am - 2:00pm and Sunday 8:00am - 12.30pm.

The Shorncliffe Shufflers are placing their shirt/singlet orders this weekend. Orders must be paid for in advance. Singlets are $31 and shirts $32 - please bring payment this week. The group operates separately to St. Patrick's College school accounts, so cash only please to be paid on Sunday. Special thanks to Mrs Karen Camplin who has been coordinating the uniform process. The group meet at 7am Sunday each week and all abilities are welcome.

Contacts for Trimester 3 Sport

Basketball Coordinator - Mr Steve Copping scopping@stpatricks.qld.edu.au

Tennis Coordinator - Br Chris Pritchard cpritchard@stpatricks.qld.edu.au

Track & Field Coordinator - Mr Ryan Schultz rschultz@stpatricks.qld.edu.au

All information regarding Basketball and Tennis is located on the sport specific Connect pages Connect Sport Pages link here »

Outstanding Student Achievements

Ethan Ryan recently was a successful member of the Metropolitan North Touch team that competed in the State Championships. Ethan's team placed in the top six in the state. Well done Ethan!

Recently Hamish and Jackson Langenberg represented Queensland at the Australian Youth Handball Titles held at the AIS in Canberra. Both students played in the U16 team and won the national title by going through the competition undefeated. Hamish was captain of the team. During the course of the tournament, Hamish broke some goal-scoring records when he scored 17 goals in the second game (12 by half time). Congratulations to both young men on these amazing performances at the National Championships.

Mr Doug Locke - Head of Sport

This week in Culture we have information on the Senior Vocal Group and results from the QDU Debating Competition.

Senior Vocal Group

Mr Nicolas Consiglio - Vocal Group Coordinator (ncosiglio@stpatricks.qld.edu.au)

Students in Years 9 – 12 are invited to be a part of the newly-formed, Senior Vocal Group here at St. Patrick's College. Music has been a central part of the College culture over the years. The St. Patrick's College Senior Vocal Group seeks to continue this tradition and aims to develop and enhance the vocal abilities and skills of students through varied repertoire whilst promoting inclusion, enjoyment and an appreciation of choral and popular music. Future performances will range from school Masses, Liturgies and Assemblies to public events such as Open Day and hopefully even competitions such as the Queensland Catholic Schools and Colleges' Music Festival.

Debating News

QDU Debating News – Mrs Lorraine O'Sullivan - Debating Coordinator (losullivan@stpatricks.qld.edu.au)

We didn't make the Grand Finals for QDU but there are certainly some great outcomes for nearby schools. Congratulations to St Joseph's College, Gregory Terrace who Senior A and St Rita's College who were runners up in the Year 9 competition. The Grammar schools also did well. Below are the complete results of last night's QDU Secondary School Grand Finals. Congratulations to all debaters and supporters who made it a night to remember.

• Year 8 - Winners – Cannon Hill Anglican College, Runners Up - Somerville House
• Year 9 - Winners – Brisbane Grammar School, Runners Up – St Rita's College
• Year 10 - Winners – Brisbane Grammar School, Runners Up – Brisbane Girls Grammar School
• Year 11 - Winners – Brisbane Grammar School, Runners Up – Brisbane State High School
• Year 12 - Winners – QASMT (Queensland Academy for Science, Mathematics and Technology), Runners Up – Brisbane Girls Grammar School
• SENIOR A - Winners – St Joseph's Gregory Terrace, Runners Up – Brisbane Grammar School

Thanks to all for a great season.

Mr Geoff Samuels - Head of Culture

A couple of important reminders:

Father's Day Stall - Helpers required for both Thursday or Friday (3 and 4 September). Half day (just morning tea or either lunch break) or full day (both morning tea and the 5-8/9-12 lunch breaks) would be greatly appreciated. Offers of assistance to the P and F email pandf@stpatricks.qld.edu.au

Woolworths Earn &Learn Stickers - Congratulations and thanks to everyone in the College Community - our points have jumped from 300 to 2500. What a magnificent effort! There are only two weeks to go.....our goal is 10,000 stickers. Don't forget to bring them into the Curriculum Office or drop them in the box at the Sandgate Woolworths.