Embracing Community Values
By Mrs Liz Illingworth, Principal
There are so many things to celebrate at St Patrick’s College.
For the first time since 2019, all planned activities in the first weeks of College life have returned and are taking place with no restrictions - how lucky are we that things are returning to normal?
Already our Year 9 students have attended Camp; Croagh Patrick tours have occurred; our Middle and Senior Schools have had their Swimming Carnivals; Year 8 Reflection Days have commenced; several Year 7 Core groups have been on Camp; the Croagh Patrick Athletics Carnival was today; students have worked at the Red Hot Summer Concert and the Launceston Cup in Hospitality; School of Rock rehearsals are well underway; Cricket, Tennis, Rowing and Basketball are in full swing; and importantly all learning is underway and students are engaged in their classes.
As we celebrate great things, there are always challenges and ways to improve. As part of continuous improvement, it is important that we as a College look to feedback and are always open to change.
We hope that you, our parents and guardians, who have chosen to send your child/ren to St Patrick’s College, are encouraging each to fully be a part of College life.
Being a part of the St Patrick’s College community means embracing what we are about. This means that we are each committed to living the College's Values out each and every day, and showing our membership of the community through our actions and participation in our community.
I encourage each of our students to be a part of our ‘Community’.
Ash Wednesday and Lent
Last Wednesday our students came together in their House groups to participate in Liturgies for Ash Wednesday. Ash Wednesday is the beginning of Lent and the Lenten period, leading up to the death of Jesus on Good Friday and celebrating His resurrection on Easter Sunday. For Catholics, Lent marks a period of fasting, praying and almsgiving.
During our House Liturgies, students were asked the following questions, given time to reflect and challenged to work to be the best version of themselves:
Do I show love and respect to those I love?
How have I reached out to those around me - my family, neighbours, friends, the poor and the marginalised?
Have I set a good example through my words or actions?
Do I treat others fairly?
Do I speak of others with kindness and generosity?
Am I judgemental or compassionate?
Do I put into action my gifts and talents, or have I become complacent and lost interest in my involvement?
Do I show care and respect for all of creation including animals, their habitats, and the ecosystems of our world?
What can I do to promote sustainable living?
As a College, we support Project Compassion. The theme for 2023 is 'For All Future Generations', and it reminds us that the good that we do today will extend and impact the lives of generations to come. It invites us to make the world a better place by working together now and finding long-term solutions to global issues. We encourage you to put your compassion into action this Lent through your prayers and contributions to Project Compassion. We can show our commitment to our value of Social Justice by participating in Project Compassion and supporting those in need through our small donations.
I look forward to seeing many of you at our ‘Meet the Tutor Evening’ on Monday 6 March.