Flourishing
By Mrs Liz Illingworth, Principal
St Patrick’s College is flourishing. There is always so much happening at the College that allows our students to engage and participate in community and grow connection.
Senior College Ball
Our Senior College Ball on Saturday 20 May was a fantastic opportunity for our Year 11 and 12 students to engage socially with their peers and strengthen their connections to the College.
The students looked magnificent, they were enthusiastic, respectful and they had a great time. I congratulate them on the way they embraced this event and how they demonstrated their connection to our College and our values and expectations. This event was certainly a highlight of the year to date.
Reconciliation Week
This week is National Reconciliation Week. The theme asks us to ‘Be a Voice for Future Generations’ and is a time to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. At the College this week many events have taken place to acknowledge this occasion and ensure we are all well informed.
Commitment to the College
Over the past weeks, many staff have been involved in interviewing our future Year 7 students. Applications for 2024 are numerous. The process has involved asking future students and parents why they wish to attend our College. The quality of the responses given by the Grade 6 students in particular clearly shows that St Patrick’s College is a place of choice for so many families. Responses have included the opportunities for spiritual and personal growth; the co-curricular opportunities; the excellent teaching staff; the academic rigour, and the amazing facilities. Students have answered knowing what values we are striving to instil and support.
On accepting enrolment at St Patrick’s College, there is an ongoing commitment from both students and parents to the College and our expectations, policies and procedures. You have all committed to these, as will the parents and students who commence in 2024.
I wonder why you chose St Patrick's College for your students' secondary education? I wonder if you and your child are still fully committed to the expectations, policies and procedures? We need you to be, and we need our students to be.
I seek your support in ensuring that each of our students demonstrate their commitment to the College.
Midway through Term 2, punctuality, attendance and the wearing of the College Uniform are areas where I am seeking support from you, our parents and guardians who chose St Patrick’s College.
All students should wear the full College uniform, which includes the wearing of the College blazer. For our students in Years 7 and 8, PE uniform and the softshell jacket are worn each Thursday. Our Year 9 students wear PE uniform each Tuesday and Thursday.
Other than these exceptions, all students should be in the correct uniform at all times - this is part of our agreement with you and an expectation of our College.
Punctuality and attendance continue to be a challenge for many students. The College day commences at 8:50am. All students are expected to be in Tutor at 8:50am.
School attendance is important and necessary. In February this year, our Premier announced the Every School Day Matters campaign. The campaign highlights the importance of regular school attendance and encourages parents and guardians that school is the best place for their children to be, as it will lead to bright futures. Poor attendance levels at school are closely linked to poor academic and social outcomes. (https://www.premier.tas.gov.au/site_resources_2015/additional_releases/every-school-day-matters)
Our College Positive Behaviour Support Framework asks all in our community to follow our three expectations: Participate in our Community, Be a Learner, and Show Respect. If we all aspire to these three behaviours, we, as a College, and each individual community member, will continue to flourish.
