This week has been a significant one for our Year 11 students. Over the first three days they all participated in our Leadership Retreat. This year, we held the retreat at our school. This allowed us much more room, better facilities and more time to undertake activities. The various activities and workshops were facilitated by staff and the student leaders. I really enjoyed the experience and was impressed by the work and participation of the young men involved.

We were also fortunate enough to have Luke McKenna (Unleashing Personal Potential) as one of the guest presenters. I am sure that the students gained a lot from Luke’s program, I know that I certainly did. During yesterday’s assembly, I mentioned some of the important points that I heard from Luke. These included:

• I have the most significant control over what happens to me;
• Whilst I can be influenced by external forces or people, it is my reaction to them that leads me to the situation that I am in;
• I should always be open to change and new ways of doing things as they are an opportunity to learn about new things and myself;
• I cannot learn on my own. I need the support and help of others to assist me to become better;
• With persistence, effort and the right attitude, I can achieve so much more than I might think.

On Tuesday afternoon, all the Year 11 students were joined by their parents for a short ritual, presentation and afternoon tea. During the ritual, the Year 11 students were presented with their senior tie by their parents. As our Year 12 students start to prepare for their final exams, the Year 11 students will be expected to take more of a role within student leadership. I would particularly like to thank all the Year 11 parents who were able to take time for the afternoon and Mr Darren Kearney, Mrs Sandra Fowlie and the House Deans for their organisation and facilitation of the three days.

Our young Men of Year 12 have 15 days left before they commence their final exams. This will be a difficult time for them as they still have to concentrate on their school work as well as cope with the emotions of leaving a community that they have been a member for up to eight years. During yesterday’s assembly, Jacob Arthur started the farewell rituals with the first student leader farewell address to the students and staff. He did a wonderful job with his speech. Jacob spoke so very highly of the number of people who have supported, assisted and befriended him over his time at St Patrick’s. It was a great example of how relationships rather than material things have the greatest impact upon us when we are in a strong community.

Whilst the coming weeks will bring more formal rituals and farewell ceremonies, our student were also reminded of the power of their own personal thanks to the senior students. They were encouraged to make sure that they thank any of the young men of Year 12 who have had a positive impact upon them over the final weeks.

Next Thursday evening, we will hold our Orientation Evening for new students to the College next year. These are always enjoyable and energetic events as there are many very excited young men arriving to meet their big brothers and hear more about the school. I am looking forward to meeting the many new families who will add to our community starting from next year.

Next Tuesday and Wednesday members of our College Leadership Team will participate in the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) conference. The conference will concentrate on the new ATAR 20/20 program for senior students (2020). We have already started planning for these changes with adjustments to our Year 10 programs and curriculum offerings next year. We will be further updated with any other changes and new information during this conference. This information is already available to parents, especially of those with young men in Year 9, through the College website. If you wish to have further details regarding this page, please contact Mrs Jackie Upton.

During the latter part of last year, we closed our student entry into the College from Twamley Street. The new entrance from that side of the College is through Zeehan Lane. This is quite a narrow laneway and some residents have expressed their concerns about students not paying enough attention to the possibility of cars moving through the laneway. Our preferred option is for students to be dropped off at Pier Avenue or Park Parade as these areas have a pedestrian crossing or students can be dropped right at the entrance of the College in Pier Avenue. However, if your son continues to use Zeehan Lane, please ensure that he be alert to any traffic that may occur in the lane. Also, we ask that no one drives down the lane as it is a very narrow causeway.

Live Jesus in our Hearts!

Mr Chris Mayes – College Principal

Last week I had the good fortune of attending the ACEL (Australian Council for Educational Leaders) Conference in Sydney.The theme for this conference was “Respect the Past, Lead the Present, Secure the Future”.Mr Troy Schultz and I presented at this conference regarding the work we are doing here at St Patrick’s College to track and mentor our senior students.We hope that delegates were able to take away something from our presentation that they can implement in their own contexts to support improvement in student outcomes.

There were many inspirational speakers at this conference and so below I share with you some ‘take away’ quotes from four of those speakers that either affirmed what we do here at St Patrick’s or gave me food for thought on how we might be able to continue our journey of whole school improvement.

• David Marquet (retired US Navy Captain): ‘It’s ok to say, “I don’t know” as a leader because it encourages a learning culture in your school’
• Kirsti Lonka (Professor of Educational Psychology, University of Helsinki, Finland): ‘There is a widening gap between what students are doing outside of school and what they are doing in school so train them wisely in the use of technology and accommodate the social digital revolution’

• Barbara Blackburn (Leading Educator and Author of Rigoris not a Four-Letter Word): ‘Focus on progress as well as achievement and set high expectations for ALL students’

• Pasi Sahlberg (Finnish Educator, Author and Scholar, Visiting Professor of Practice at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education): ‘Stop asking “how good is my school?” and start asking “how is my school good?”

Ms Elizabeth Gaber - Head of Administration and Business Intelligence

Paddies Van Roster

This week saw our Year 11 men attending their Leadership Retreat. Term 3 and 4 are big terms for our Year 11 students. In Term 3 the College and House Leaders for 2018 were elected and the cohort was set the challenge “We ASPIRE to LEAD” and it is this challenge that has formed the retreat program.

• A- take ACTION, have a go
• S- SERVE, be kind and give others a go
• P- PERSIST through struggles and setbacks
• I- INFLUENCE others and set the example
• R- RESPECT for people, group and equipment
• E- ENCOURAGE others

During the retreat we explored the idea that as a group of men they had the potential to influence the values, attitudes and behaviour of the entire St Patrick’s community with an effectiveness that we as staff can only dream of. For those Year 11’s who have never considered leadership; for those who rarely engaged in any action or activity that resulted in discomfort; for those who have done their best to escape the hard edges of leadership in order to live a pillowed existence, it was explained that by putting on the white shirt, leadership was no longer optional. I congratulate all of our Year 11 men for resisting this temptation of laziness; this temptation to cover their light.

We discussed the need to embrace our difference, as it is our differences not our similarities that make us strong. It was explained that not all leadership is about heroics, in fact most leadership was actually covert and unassuming. Leadership was more often than not found in the gentle word of encouragement, the helping of another, the steering of a conversation, a suggestion, or some small service.

The retreat also explored the need for them as leaders to:

• Be proactive rather than reactive, heading off emerging problems rather than dealing with the after effects.
• Challenge inappropriate cultures, walk the talk and display the values they wish to encourage in others.
• Seek respect not popularity. Respect that had been earned through the demonstration of boldness, courage, consistency, empathy, energy and service.

The Year 11 Retreat concluded with the presentation of the Senior ties. This was a wonderful occasion that involved a representative from each family presenting their son or brother with their Senior tie. Congratulation to all the men of Year 11. I am looking forward to working with you in 2018 and watching the development and implementation of all your wonderful ideas.

Fight the good fight

Darren Kearney – Dean of Students

With one Track and Field practice meet scheduled for next Friday the students are starting to show some good form. The AIC Track and Field Championships will be held on Tuesday 24 and Wednesday 25 October. Attendance at training for next week and the last meet is recommended to ensure students give themselves every chance to be selected into the final team. The team will be decided over the weekend prior to the Championships and students and parents will receive an email on Monday to confirm selection. Parents are most welcome to spectate at the lead up meets and the Championships.

Recently information was distributed via email and on the SPC App regarding the Roar Year 5-7 Football Clinics beginning Friday 27 October and the start of the 2018 Swimming season in Week 5.Parents and students are encouraged to act on these communications to avoid missing out on sporting opportunities provided by the College.

The sign on for Cricket and Volleyball will take place from Week 4 for the Term 1, 2018 sports. More information to be provided in coming weeks.

Contacts for Trimester 4 Sport

Track & Field

• Mr Ryan Schultz rschultz@stpatricks.qld.edu.au
• Kate Colahan katecolahan@me.com

Swimming

• Ms Kelsey Duke kduke@stpatricks.qld.edu.au (begins Week 5)

Outstanding Student Achievements

The Australian Junior Volleyball Championships were held at Coomera on the Gold Coast from the 23-30 September. St Patrick’s College was represented by Matt Stride, Ruben Gale and Cooper Grinlaubs. Matt and Ruben were selected in the Under 17 Queensland Maroon team while Cooper represented the Under 17 Queensland White (development) team. Both teams were undefeated in their competitions coming home with National Championship Gold Medals. In 2013, Matt Grinlaubs took a team of four to the Volleyball Queensland Primary Schools Cup. That team included Matt Stride, Ruben Gale and Cooper Grinlaubs.

Mr Doug Locke - Director of Sport

Theatresports Junior and Senior Gran Final Information - see below

Yts Junior Gf Poster 2017

Yts Senior Gf Poster 2017

Mr Adam McPhee - Theatresports Coorindator

Debating

The debating season is winding down at St Patrick’s College after a marathon season starting in February.

The college played host to its ninth QDU debating fixture this year last Wednesday night with both our Year 7 teams competing in the Junior Secondary Schools Competition. It was a mixed night with the 7.1 team going down by two points and the 7.2 outfit recording a resounding four point victory. Both teams competed in short preparation debates on the motion, “That students should need to maintain good grades in order to participate in interschool sport.” All teams were given the topic one hour before the start of the debate and sequestered in a classroom with no electronic devices – just pens, paper and a dictionary. The challenge is to draw on general knowledge and be able to generate arguments quickly, a skill the students will continue to develop in future years.

The 2017 debating program will culminate with the annual staff vs students debate in the Waterford Building next Thursday, October 19, in period 6. A staff team made up of of Mr Luke Oxford, Mr Timothy Merrett and Mrs Lorraine O’Sullivan and a student team of Sam Hanelt, Ethan Callaway and Josep Grew-Figuerola will debate the topic “That classes at St Patrick’s should be live-streamed online via webcam.” Mr Christopher Campbell has kindly offered to adjudicate the contest. This is always a raucous occasion with plenty of talent and humour on show – a great way for the senior boys to round out their debating experience. The debating awards will be presented at the final Co-Curricular awards assembly later this term.

Mr Dennis Clough - Debating Coordinator

Please find below Tuckshop Roster for October

Tuckshop Roster October