As the Australian and State governments and their respective health and education authorities continues to monitor COVID-19 in our community, decisions relating to the health and wellbeing of our students and staff remain our highest priority. I can assure all families that we have been kept well-informed by Queensland Catholic Education Commission in relation to the government and health department’s planning and requirements for schools. We will continue to be transparent and pass on any relevant detail as it occurs.

The spread and containment of this virus will be a long- term task. I appreciate that everyone has their own ideas on the virus and what precautions could be taken. The College Leadership Team is committed to reasoned and informed information and protocols given to us by health professionals and our educational authorities. 

Unfortunately, there was an inaccurate article printed in the Courier Mail this morning. The article was printed without any contact with the school and was unfortunately further circulated by other media outlets. At no stage were we contacted by anyone until I contacted the Courier Mail which the other outlets relied upon for their own stories. Thankfully, the Courier mail changed the article after we spoke, and I am thankful to them for doing that. The article did spark a good deal of panic from members of our own community, other local schools who have relatives here, some of our older student’s employers, parents from other schools who have competed against us etc. It is a good example of what our community can do if we are after a single point of truth regarding actions that happen within our own school community. That single point of truth is our own College communications.

We will continue to ensure that staff and families are updated with any information that they should know. In doing so, I ask that members of the community do not pass on any information that we have not confirmed as this can be interpreted in many ways. Our College will be holding normal lessons for students on Monday. The CLT has considered large gathering events within our school and have decided to postpone the following until at least the end of this term:

• Cultural Support Group Trivia Night
• St Patrick’s Day Mass
• Senior Music Evening
• Whole School assemblies
• House Meetings

Thank you for your support with this matter. It is an unprecedented event across the globe, and we are committed to supporting our staff, families and students through responsible actions that are advised by expert authorities.

This week has been Men of Learning Week. The week was launched with a great assembly on Tuesday and there have been several interesting and fun activities spread across the week. On Wednesday, there were also some excellent sessions regarding study skills and during the evening Mrs Chelsea Parakas and Mrs Liz Skinner gave some great advice about improving boy’s literacy skills. We have been promoting the message that learning is exciting and can happen through many ways not just the classroom. Learning is something that we do on a constant basis and should always be open to new things. I would like to thank Mr Troy Schultz for his planning over this week, especially the Assembly.

We compete against Villanova College in AFL, Cricket and Volleyball tonight and tomorrow. It should be a great weekend of competition and I look forward to seeing so many of our young men in action.

Mr Chris Mayes - College Principal

Term 1 school fee accounts were emailed out on 5 February 2020.  The due date for payment is 19 February 2020 - unless you have a payment arrangement in place.

It is still possible to set up a direct debit payment scheme. The form can be obtained on REALM.

If you did not receive your account please contact Judy Kelly via email finance@stpatricks.qld.edu.au or jkelly@stpatricks.qld.edu.au

Thank you

 

COVID–19 and Teaching and Learning

These are certainly interesting times as our Men of Learning week wraps up signalling the end of Week 7 and the start of the run home into the holidays, against the backdrop of attention being paid to this emerging and evolving issue.

As of the publication of this newsletter, nothing has changed from a teaching and learning perspective at the College. Our normal learning programs continue and our current policies around assessment apply. 

Our Assessment Policy can be found on the teaching and learning page on REALM. Please note the expectation for medical documentation to be provided should a student (in Years 10-12) be unable to attend an examination or complete assessment continues. I ask that communication with the Curriculum Office is a priority should this be the case, as our policy expects. If you run into unforeseeable difficulty in accessing medical documentation due to the emerging COVID–19 situation, please contact the Curriculum Office for advice on how to proceed. 

Please note that if any changes are made to any assessment policies, these will be communicated to parents via REALM and they will also be reflected in amendments to the Assessment Policy. At this stage, we have yet to receive any advice from QCAA indicating changes to existing policies and procedures. 

Men of Learning Week

This week we celebrated Men of Learning Week. From my perspective it was a very rewarding week, with students enjoying activities in the heart of our learning environment (the Library), well attended study skills workshops, and a Men of Learning assembly that judging by the boy’s reaction, was a hit!

I would like to thank all our wonderful classroom teachers who contributed by providing shout outs to students, organised assembly items, ran activities or just conveyed the messages around being a Man of Learning during the week. A special thanks to Liz Skinner and her library team, Mr Chris Herrod for celebrating our vocational students, and Liz Skinner and Chelsea Parakas for their excellent presentations during the Parent Literacy Workshop on Wednesday night. We look forward to continuing to push this message around valuing and celebrating learning.

Mr Troy Schultz – Dean of Teaching and Learning

Week 6 saw our teams take on Padua in Round 5 of the AIC competition. Overall there were some very good performances across AFL, Cricket and Volleyball.

In Volleyball it was another tough round for the St Patrick’s teams but well done to the 11Bs, 9As, 9Bs, 9Cs and the 7Ds. The 11Bs were up against it in their match when they dropped the first set, but they battled back to win the match 2-1 and remain undefeated and on course for a Premiership. The 1st VI went down 0-3 to a particularly impressive Padua 1st team. The level of Volleyball at the Open’s level is very high this season and it has been a steep learning curve for what is essentially a very young St Patrick’s team.

In AFL the Opens team had a nail biting 29-25 win over Padua. Heading in to the final ¼ the St Patrick’s team had a comfortable lead, but Padua finished strong and the our boys did well to hang on for the win. Also well done to the 6B team who had a tense one point win over Iona.

In the Cricket there were some great performances against Padua. Well done to the 1st XI, 3rd XI, 10As, 9Bs who all had wins.

There were some good individual batting performances across a large number of teams. In the 10As special mention to Braden Volkner who got 77 not out and Ethan Cleary who got 51.

In the 9As Noah James got 50 Not Out and Ben Dempsey scored his second century in 3 weeks as he posted 105 Not Out.

In the Year 7 teams, in the 7As - Steven Hogan scored 90 Not Out and Nic Weedon got 99 Not Out in the 7Bs.

I was fortunate enough to watch the second half of the 1st XI match against Padua. Following a rain delayed start and the match being reduced to 35 overs a side, the St Patrick’s boys had posted a modest total of 130 runs. In reply Padua were in control and looked very comfortable at 6/112. However, an amazing fight back from the St Patrick’s boys saw them skittle the Padua lower order to leave them all out for 124. Some great bowling from Ben Clark 3/16, Bailey Reid 2/26, Jack Davy 2/set up the win, with Hayden Vickers (2/24) taking 2 wickets in 3 balls to finish the match and hand St Patrick’s the most unlikely of victories.

The wins for our AFL and 1st XI Cricket teams leaves them both undefeated and in with a real chance at a Premiership. 

The AFL team face Villanova tonight in their final game. A win will see them crowned as joint premiers at the worst. 

The Cricketers also face off against Villanova who are the only unbeaten side. A win will see them put one hand on the Premiership.

TERM 2 Winter Sport Sign up – closes this Sunday 15 March. If you haven’t signed up please get on to it ASAP so that we can finalise coaches and team numbers.

Contacts for Trimester 1 & 2 Sport 

Term 1 Sport Coordinators  

• Cricket – Mr Dan Nethery dnethery@stpatricks.qld.edu.au
• Volleyball – Mr Steve Copping scopping@stpatricks.qld.edu.au 
• AFL – Mr Adrian Brown abrown@stpatricks.qld.edu.au
• Sports Administrator – Mrs Kate Grainger kgrainger@stpatricks.edu.au

Term 2 Sport Coordinators

• Rugby - Mr Daniel Nethery dnethery@stpatricks.qld.edu.au 
• Football - Mr David Ludlow daludlow@stpatricks.qld.edu.au
• Golf (Competitive & Social) - Mr Andrew Maynard amaynard@stpatricks.qld.edu.au

Representative selections and sporting success:

Congratulations to the following students who have gained selection into the Metropolitan North squads.

Swimming:

• Luke Brennan
• Callum Davies
• Thomas Donnelly
• Samuel Megaw

Baseball:

• Joel Hogan 
• Miller Bell

Ryan Laycock tears up track

Following a very successful 2019 season where he finished ranked 4th in Australia for Karting, Ryan Laycock (Year 10) is about to embark on his tilt at the 2020 Australian Rotax Pro Tour (National) series.
In 2020, Ryan is contracted to Tyler Greenbury Racing (TGR). 

This National racing series competes for Australian Team spots with the World Titles being held in Bahrain later this year.

There are four rounds of racing to this series across Victoria (Melbourne), Queensland (Ipswich), New South Wales (Sydney), New South Wales (Albury).

Ryan’s first national race will be at Melbourne (Todd Road racetrack). We wish Ryan the best of luck for his 2020 campaign.

Mr Jim Potts – Head of Sport

CSG Trivia Night - Cancelled

On behalf of the Cultural Support Group we wish to advise that the Trivia Night planned for tomorrow night (Saturday March 14) has been cancelled.  All tickets have been refunded. 

Janina's Costume Hire will offer a store credit for all unworn costumes that are returned in relation to this event.  The Committee will look to identify a suitable date to reschedule this fund raiser. 

We ask that this message please be forwarded on to all members of your table who were included in your ticket booking.  Thanks again for your support of all things Cultural at St Patrick’s College.

Debating News

St Patrick’s College’s Senior A team opened its season with a three-point loss to Clayfield College in round 1 of the QDU competition on Wednesday night.

Despite the loss, College Debating Captain Jared Noble paid tribute to his team mates: “I would commend all the boys on their efforts however, as it was a strong debate that had a particularly challenging case for the affirmative team.”

The Year 8 teams had a mixed bag with the 8.1 team recording a win and the 8.2 group posting a narrow loss.

Upcoming debates:

Team: St Patrick's College 9.1
Round 2: YOU ARE Negative VS Bracken Ridge State High School 9.1 at 6:00pm on 18-3-2020 VENUE:Genesis Christian College

Topic: That school students should elect a youth representative from each state to the Australian senate

Team: St Patrick's College 9.2
Round 2: YOU ARE Affirmative VS Grace Lutheran College 9.2 at 7:00pm on 18-3-2020 VENUE: Genesis Christian College

Topic: That school students should elect a youth representative from each state to the Australian senate

Team: St Patrick's College 11.1  
Round 2:YOU ARE: Affirmative.VS. Pacific Lutheran College 11.1 at 6:45pm on 18-3-2020 VENUE:St Joseph's Nudgee College  
Topic: That we should ban the Olympics  

Mr Dennis Clough - Debating Coordinator

Theatresports

I'm happy to announce that a regular Friday training session has been confirmed starting from this Friday (13th of March). The session will be run by Mr Zevriel Ryall, an old boy from 2018, and will be held in the Waterford drama rooms from 3:15-4:30pm. The session is open to any and all theatresports boys who wish to attend. You only have to regularly attend one session a week this term to be considered for a spot in one of the YTS teams, but you are certainly welcome to attend both if you can.

Thank you for all your hard work so far this term and I'll see you next Wednesday.

Duncan Moir – Theatresports Coordinator

Cultural Support Group News

Fundraising with Entertainment Group

We are fundraising again with the Entertainment Group.  All Memberships are now Digital. 

Click here to order your new Entertainment Membership.

Thank you for your continued support.

on Behalf of the Cultural Support Group

Chess News

Junior Chess Club - Tuesday afternoons 3:00-4:15pm, W202 (Ms Rosemary Butt rbutt@stpatricks.qld.edu.au )

Senior Chess Club - Monday afternoons 3:00-4:30pm, W202, (Ms Rosemary Butt rbutt@stpatricks.qld.edu.au)

Please Note: If chess players have training conflicts on the designated club day, they are invited to attend either Monday or Tuesday afternoons irrespective of age.  Afternoon tea is provided.

Rosemary Butt - Chess Coordinator

Music - Pemulwuy Prelude Concert 6

College Foundation: Paddy’s Van and trailer appeal

The College Foundation team extends a warm welcome back to our St Patrick’s College community and a very special welcome to our new families, as we start 2020 with good news!

In addition to the funds raised by our generous College community throughout 2019, the Foundation has been successful in securing a $20,000 grant as part of the Stronger Communities Program via our local Federal Member for Lilley, Ms Anika Wells, to put towards our Paddy’s Van and trailer upgrade project.

The College is now progressing with our plans to replace the Paddy’s Van and trailer, so our students can continue to provide this important service in the local community for many years to come.

Watch this space for the new-look Paddy’s Van and trailer, coming soon!

The Foundation team would like to thank the St Patrick’s community for your outstanding support in donating money, your time and services, and attending Foundation events, to help raise the money needed for this appeal. Every donation makes a difference, and with your ongoing support we can continue to make worthy projects like this, happen.

If you would like to know more about the Paddy’s Van program, visit Identity on the REALM page and click on the "Justice and Solidarity" tile.

If you would like to know more about the College Foundation or to make a donation, visit the Foundation’s webpage here:

St Patrick's College Foundation

#FormingMenofAction #AnikaWellsMP

The annual St Patrick's College Mother Son High Tea is set for Wednesday, 6 May at 3:15pm in the Christian Brothers Building, featuring special guest speaker Mr Trent Dalton. Trent is a Brisbane journalist and author and his most recent book “Boy Swallows Universe” has sold over 100,000 copies with the television movie rights being sold and Australian Actor, Joel Edgerton producing the project. 

Tickets will go on sale at 9:00am on Wednesday, 1 April for $25 each. 

Keep your eye out for further details as it is bound to be a sell-out event.  All proceeds will assist the Foundation’s goal to upgrade facilities at Curlew Park.

If you are interested in providing a raffle prize, please contact Mrs Stacey Bishop on 3631 9052 or sbishop@stpatricks.qld.edu.au. We are also offering sponsorship opportunities for this event, please see below.

Sponsorship Opportunities $500 

• 2 tickets to the event
• Acknowledgement via the MC on the afternoon
• Logo on tickets/program and any promotional materials
• Ability to provide marketing collateral on tables
• Welcome to provide a raffle prize if you wish
• Provide a banner for display on the day 

Please contact Mrs Stacey Bishop on 3631 9052 or sbishop@stpatricks.qld.edu.au for further details.

Dear St Patrick’s Year 5-9 Students and Parents 

Unfortunately, due the current COVID-19 government restrictions, the Easter Holiday Camp on Monday 6 April to Thursday 9 April has been cancelled.

Camps for the June, September and Christmas holidays have not been cancelled at this stage.

Mr Heath Mackintosh