Our Year 12 students had their final House Assembly yesterday and today was the last formal day of school for them. We will hold our Farewell Assembly next Monday and the students will then leave to prepare for their final exams. Their year will finally finish with the Graduation Mass and Dinner on Thursday 16 November.

Over the past weeks, the Year 12 students have undertaken a Rite of Passage led by Darren Kearney and the House Deans. This has been a time of listening to others and reflecting about themselves and their own journeys through school. I recently found this lovely article that may be of some worth to them (and others) in this time of reflection.

We are missioned to be Christ’s hands, words and presence in our world today. We are to be Him: feeding the hungry. Those who are hungry for bread, for understanding, for love. We are to be Christ filling the hunger for those who need to be wanted, those who need to be somebody to somebody. You are missioned to be His touch and smile that calms fears and fills the loneliness of being unwanted and unloved. Our words will be His words; encouraging, guiding, supporting, building up, not breaking down. Our ears will be His, listening to those who need to unburden themselves. Our hands and smile and words will be welcome, support and heal and in doing so, Christ will be welcome, support and heal. We are missioned right here, right now, to be Christ in our world.

To me, the message is quite simple. Rather than looking around to find the right people, I must first be the right person! The first actions, and possibly the only actions, that I control are my own. I always look upon this piece of writing as a challenge to myself and what I do to make the world a better place for others. At St Patrick’s we strive to develop young Men of Action who will make a difference to the world. Here is a very practical way to make that happen.

Whilst the final two weeks include many opportunities to farewell the senior students, they are also important weeks of schooling for everyone. It is most important that each young man plans well and studies hard for his exams so that he can achieve his best possible results. Leaving everything to the night before will not help them to achieve to their potential.

In last week’s article, I mentioned that our senior Chemical Titration Team topped the state in their competition. This week, we learned that the team came fifth across all of Australia. This is an outstanding effort given the number of schools who compete in this competition. We are very proud of the team’s (and Mrs O’Sullivan’s) achievement.

We held our final Trimester Awards ceremony last Tuesday. Whilst the awards were given to students who participated in Basketball, Tennis and Track and Field, there were also a very special presentation. Lachlan Connors was awarded the MacMillan Family Trophy for the Queensland Schoolboy Rugby Player of the Year. This is a very prestigious award that covers all schoolboy Rugby players, no matter what competition, from across the entire state. It is the first time that a student from St Patrick’s College has received the award. Mr Damian Barker (Vice-President – Australian Schoolboys Rugby) and two members of the McMillan family were on hand to present the award. Lachlan also received the news, yesterday, that he has received the Bond University John Eales Rugby Excellence Scholarship. Lachlan will continue his studies at Bond next year.

Live Jesus in our Hearts

Mr Chris Mayes – College Principal

At St Patrick’s College, we are committed to challenging each of our students to reach their potential. Through the learning and teaching that occurs in every classroom, every day, the pastoral conversations that take place in Tutor Group each morning and through the formal processes such as Mentoring and Student Formation, we promote a growth mindset in all that we do.

We wish to develop a culture in which our boys are focused and driven towards their learning goals. If we can develop a mastery orientation amongst our students then we are more likely to have students focus on developing new skills and improving their competence. This is associated with self-regulation, increased effort, autonomy and the belief that effort will lead to success. As a school, we can promote this focus on mastery by acknowledging individual improvement and effort.

The work of Carol Dweck has allowed us to rethink the purpose and outcome of praise. Too much praise that can be construed as nothing more than congratulations for being clever can inadvertently promote a fixed mindset attitude to intelligence. Praise for the effort applied that has led to improvement can promote the notion that intelligence is expandable. We wish to encourage our students to embrace challenge and difficulty, viewing it as profitable towards reaching long term goals.

As we challenge our students to demonstrate resilience, to not be afraid of failure, to approach their learning with a positive attitude, and to always be looking towards the next level of mastery, then it is important that we acknowledge and recognise those students who demonstrate all of this through their learning gains.

Thirty three boys have demonstrated exceptional academic growth as defined by their GPA change between the reporting junctures – Semester 2 last year to Semester 1 this year. We applaud these young men for their determination to move to the next level of academic success. At the Night of Excellence celebration Friday, 3 November 2017, we formally recognise these young men through the inaugural ‘Outstanding Achievement in Learning Gains’ Awards. We will continue to strive for academic excellence and growth and celebrate both.

Ms Elizabeth Gaber - Dean of Administration and Business Intelligence

Last weekend, marked the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther’s nailing of his 95 theses to the door of the Church at Wittenberg in Germany, a simple event that sparked one of the most profound revolutions of human history. As with all revolutions new ideas transformed the way people think and live but at the same time many people were trampled underfoot as those with vested interests vied for power. However, it is impossible to conceive of the modern world without the lasting transformation that the Protestant Reformation created.

The great tragedy of the Reformation was that it created a world of powerful barriers between people, using the Gospel as a weapon rather than a force to unite people and liberate them. This division set up centuries of conflict.

During the second half of the 20th century another radical movement - the journey towards Ecumenism has shifted the consciousness of the world. People have begun setting aside hundreds of years of conflict and hardship in order to build a community based on respect and dignity, whilst allowing for real diversity of opinion. This journey towards Ecumenism is a sign of hope for the world as well as being a hope that challenges us to go even further.

For us at St Patrick’s, a proudly Catholic school, we journey toward that goal of building respect and dignity for all through inclusion and acceptance of difference. '

A great article on this topic by an American Catholic author can be found here - Ecumenical Movement

This week in Identity:

• Paddy's Van ministries
• Mass for Year 12 Cohort
• Preparation for Graduation ceremonies
• Preparation for the India immersion
• Fundraising to support communities we visit in India
• Year 7 Formation Program – Service to the Community: Creating Christmas hampers for men in our community who don’t have family supports

Mr Tim Kenny - Dean of Identity

Week 5 of Term 4 marks the last few lessons for our Year 12 men. For the Seniors of 2017 it is certainly a week of mixed emotions. The excitement of finally coming to the end of their education was all too obvious. So too, however, were those tears rolling down their cheeks. On Wednesday, I had the wonderful opportunity to celebrate Mass with these men. On occasions, I have heard their 12 years of schooling being compared to that of a new born baby. Any longer in the womb of St Patrick’s College would be detrimental to their development. These young men are ready to attack the world and chase their dreams.

Thursday, saw a complete change of pace with the staff putting on a BBQ for the Year 12 group. With the students’ bellies full, the St Patrick’s staff decided this the best time to challenge the 1st Union side to a game of touch football. I am pleased to say that our strategy worked better than expected. After two burgers, three for the forwards, these young men were found wanting. In dazzling style staff where victorious over the Seniors of 2017, 6 tries to 4. If you read it in the Calling it must be true, right?

Monday, will see the senior cohort attend their final College assembly. This ceremony will also serve witness to the changeover of House flags from our current House Leaders to those of 2018. This magnificent tradition of exchanging ties will also occur at this time. The current College Captain, Thomas Giuliano will hand over the Captain’s tie to the incoming College Captain, Daniel Champness. This day will also see many of our Year 12 men pass their College tie to their little brother. To complete their final assembly the entire College will form a Guard of Honour out of respect for the dedication these men have shown St Patrick’s College during their journey over the last eight years. For those attending this event we ask that you are seated in the Christian Brothers Building by 8:30am.

Fight the good fight

Darren Kearney – Dean of Students

The temperature has begun to warm up and our swimmers have hit the pool for season 2018. Ms Kelsey Duke is the Swimming Coordinator and Head Coach for the 2018 season. Training times and information regarding the January swim camp can be accessed via the St Patrick's College APP or by contacting Ms Duke. Strong numbers have already enjoyed the first week of official squad training. We need a bigger pool…..

The last Sports Awards Assembly was held on Tuesday, with over 196 students being presented with trophies, medallions and certificates acknowledging their efforts on the sporting field for the second half of the year. Thank you to the 200 plus parents and friends who attended to support the many award winners. During the Assembly, Lachlan Connors was presented with the Ian MacMillan Memorial Trophy. This award is presented to the most outstanding Queensland Schoolboy Rugby player each year. It is the highest honour any schoolboy rugby player can be awarded in Queensland. Lachlan was unaware that he was receiving this award until just before the awards ceremony began. Lachlan also presented his Australian Rugby jersey to Mr Mayes and the College community for us to frame and proudly display. Well done Lachlan on a great Rugby career at St Patrick's College.

The Official AIC Track and Field results have been released. Further to last week’s information the following students broke AIC and St Patrick’s records. Congratulations to these students.

Individual AIC Championship 1^st place

• Jack Booker – Discus
• Callum Crossan – 100m
• Jarrod Kwan – Triple Jump
• Brandon Merrick – Javelin
• Jayden Morris – 100m
• Joshua Smith – Long Jump
• Lee Van der Westhuizen – 200m, High Jump and Long Jump
• Sam Waugh – Discus
• Cooper Wellman - High Jump and 60m Hurdles

New SPC College Records

• Eli Avci – 11 years Shot Put 12.05m (2kg)
• Jakob Barnett – 15 years Discus 48.50m (1kg)
• Joshua Lunt – 12 years Javelin 27.27m
• Cooper Wellman – 10 years 60m hurdles 10.06 sec

New AIC Record

• Copper Wellman – 60m Hurdles

Parents and students have been sent information for the electronic sign on process for 2018 Swimming, Cricket and Volleyball.Families are asked to visit Parent Lounge to register their sons interest in trialing for these Term 1 2018 sports. Families are asked to carefully check playing dates and inform coordinators and coaches if students are unable to be available for any games in the season. More information regarding trials will be provided once the sign on process has been completed.

Contacts for Term 1 2018 Sport

• Swimming Ms Kelsey Duke kduke@stpatricks.qld.edu.au
• Cricket Mr Ryan Schultz rschultz@stpatricks.qld.edu.au
• Volleyball Mr Tim Hoysted thoysted@stpatricks.qld.edu.au

Outstanding Student Achievements

Congratulations and good luck to Charles Moore who has been selected to compete at the State Cricket Championships for Metropolitan North in early November on the Sunshine Coast.

Harry Clench has been selected in the U13 Brisbane North Cricket Championship side to contest the club state championships in January – congratulations.

Well done to Xavier Clark on his selection in the Metropolitan North Water Polo team to contest the State Championships in March next year on the Sunshine Coast.

Sport Support Group thanks Jenny Belcher and Dale Gordon who ran the Curlew Park Canteen for the two weekends of Brisbane Junior Cricket Association Under 14 trials, including turning up for the cancelled rained-out day. The cricket families truly appreciated your service at the canteen.

Co-curricular Music News

AMEB Results

There have been a number of students who have recently completed Australian Musical Examination Board exams. AMEB exams consist of learning a selection of solo repertoire, as well as some scales, exercises, aural tests, and sight reading. These young men are to be commended on their consistent effort in practice and preparation for the exams.

Mason Harvey - Honours - Second Grade Tenor Saxophone

Samuel Caruana – Violin Preliminary

Zachariah Mawaka – Viola Grade 1

Craig Gilpin – Grade 1 Theory

Nicholas Gecks-Preston – Grade 1 Theory

Oscar Owens – Grade 2 Theory

Congratulations and well done to all.

Theatresports

Congratulations to the First Theatresports Team and the Junior 1 Theatresports Team for their efforts on Sunday afternoon.

The Junior team were defeated by Gregory Terrace. These young men fought the good fight and should be proud of their efforts. They are the first Junior Team to make it to the Grand Finals for SPC.

The Firsts competition was brilliant with teams competing from Nudgee, St Margaret’s and All Hallow’s School. Unfortunately the team was defeated by Padua and Gregory Terrace.

It has been a long season and all members of the Theatresport squad are to be commended for their effort and determination.

Many thanks to our senior students; Oliver Blansjaar, Jayden Graham, Max Marson and Zevriel Ryall for their dedication and support of the younger students throughout the year. Their commitment to training sets a fine example and tradition for our future theatresport competitors. It would be remiss of me not to acknowledge Ms Garside and Mr Moir for their coaching of the teams across the year and Ms Moir and Mr Samuels for their administrative support.

Best of luck to the seniors on their graduation – We look forward to having your support in 2018.

Mr Adam McPhee - Theatresports Coordinator

Please find below Tuckshop Roster for November

Tuckshop Roster November