Janelle Agius – Principal

Welcome back to Term 4. I hope all students have returned refreshed for a final burst of effort for the year. Our staff have been working meticulously throughout the last few weeks marking and preparing the submissions for our seniors, and preparing feedback for parents through the LMS system. Year 12 students have a relatively short term, before sitting their external assessments through the ATAR system. These external exams will commence on Friday 22 October and finish four weeks later on Tuesday 16 November. It is really important that our students understand they need to finish well. This is in every regard. The Year 12’s in particular need to maximise their results, but also enjoy their last days at the College in a way in which they will be respected and remembered fondly for being the fine young people that they are. I remind students that they should respond with good old fashioned hard work till the end.

If Year 12 students have not registered for QTAC and are considering tertiary study next year, they should do so as soon as possible. I would also encourage any student who has not seen Ms McKay about careers and tertiary courses already, to please see her as soon as possible this term. Champion Schools Basketball Competition At the end of Term 3, St Patrick’s College entered both a boys’ and girls’ team in the Champion Schools Basketball Competition in Brisbane. Our girls played in the second division and played some outstanding games, placing first in their division in the state. What an amazing achievement for our girls. Our boys team also performed well in the second division and played some exciting tough games, placing tenth overall in the state. What a fantastic performance from both teams. Thank you to coach Mr Jamiey Doevendans, manager/trainer Mr Marty Hollis, Miss Rachel McKenzie, Miss Sarah Gibbs, Mrs Tania Anderson and parents who assisted these teams. New Staff Welcome At the beginning of Term 4, we welcomed Mrs Marisa van Zyl to the St Patrick’s staff community. Marisa will take over from Miss Brett when she takes her leave next year. Welcome to St Pat’s Marisa!

OCTOBER 2021

11-22 Year 12 Industry Placement

15 Sports Awards Evening

19 Valedictory Evening

20 Cultural Night

21 Year 12 ‘Pattie’s Farewell Festival’ 21 Year 11’s – Student Free Day – Study Day 22-29 External Exams

NOVEMBER 2021

1-16 External Exams

7 Music Ministry

9 Year 11 Awards Night

18-25 Year 11 Exams

19 Year 12 Graduation Mass

25 2022 Year 11 Orientation Day

26 Year 11’s Last Day

26 Year 11 Semi Formal

DECEMBER 2021

8 College Office Closes

JANUARY 2022

17 College Office Opens for 2022

24 Year 11’s Start

25 Year 12’s Start

FEBRUARY 2022

6 Music Ministry

10 Investiture Mass

18 Bishop’s Inservice Day - Student Fee Day MARCH 2022

17 St Patrick’s Day Mass

15 October 2021 Dates to remember

NUMBER FOR SMS

The number to send SMS Messages

regarding student absence is

0416 906 288

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Industry Placement and Work Experience Over the last two weeks of Term 3 and during the holiday period, many student’s accessed industry placement or work experience. The reports from students, parents and employers have been overwhelmingly positive. I would like to thank Mr Korneliussen and Mrs Preston, who organised the students from the College end and all staff involved in workplace visits. I am sure that many students will make better career choices based on this experience. Tutoring Tutoring continues at the College. Special acknowledgement to the commencement of English Tutoring Sessions. As Year 12 students begin to ramp up for their external exams and the Year 11 students commence work on their ATAR tasks, these extra classes aim to reinforce and define focus on English topics. Many thanks to Mr Andric and the English Department. I would also like to thank and mention the many other departments and teachers who offer their time to assist with tutoring. Socktober October is World Mission month and Catholic Mission runs ‘Socktober’ every year. At St Pat’s students will be permitted to wear “crazy socks” on Fridays in October provided they make a gold coin donation to the Socktober appeal (Year 12’s attending exams on Friday’s must wear their normal college uniform).

We are also raffling off a “Wake board” that Mr Warren Bolton and students from his furnishing class have made and kindly donated. Tickets are $2 each and can be purchased through the College office. Year 11 Retreat Year 11 Retreat took place last Friday 8 October and students engaged well in their one-day retreat with Mr Az Hamilton. This retreat helped lead the students towards our leadership program at the end of term, where we will be electing and appointing leaders for 2022. Year 12 Final Class Day at St Pat’s On Thursday 21 October, to celebrate the Year 12 student’s final day, we will be holding a day of activities for the students. I would like to personally invite everyone from the College community to attend this inaugural event. Please see Mr Geoghegan’s section in this newsletter for more information. The Mackay and District Catholic Debutante Ball The Mackay and District Catholic Debutante Ball will be on Friday 27 May 2021. The Debutante Ball Committee wishes to invite all Year 11 students to participate in the 2022 Mackay Debutante Ball. Practices occur on Monday nights from February through to May. More details will follow in our next newsletter. Next Step 2021 The Next Step survey, undertaken by the Queensland Government, targets all students who completed Year 12 and gained a Senior Statement in 2020. Of the 252 students who completed Year 12 in 2020, the government statistician received responses from 196 of them (77.8%).

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Sean Geoghegan – Deputy Principal

Pattie’s Farewell Festival Thursday 21 October, the day before the commencement of the final year 12 exams, will be an opportunity for the College community, parents, staff and Year 12 students, to come together to celebrate an important milestone in their son or daughter’s life. Given the fact that the day is dedicated to celebrating the Year 12 journey, the Year 11 students will be granted a study day and are thus not required to be at school. This year St Patrick’s College will inaugurate the ‘Pattie’s Farewell Festival’ which we hope will become a signature event for years to come. It will entail the unveiling of the 2021 cohort’s spectacular gift to the College, one which we are certain will memorialise their unique contribution to the College and will, we hope, encourage them to continue their association with the College well into their adult life. After considerable and sustained input from the Student Representative Council, and in order to celebrate this special occasion, we would be delighted if parents could join staff and students, in a morning of festivities which will include games, amusements, music and food. The Farewell will commence at 9am and conclude at 11am. Professional photographers will be on hand to capture moments and will be happy to accommodate spontaneous configurations comprising class/group/parent/student photos in the places that have particular meaning for our students. We wish to inform our students and parents that St Patrick’s College does not sanction ‘muck-up’ days. We call on all members of the St. Patrick’s community to stay true to maintaining the spirit of dignity and mutual respect that characterises staff/student relationships at the College. We want our Year 12 students to be safe and not risk compromising the high regard with which they are held by teachers who have cared for and supported them over many years. Much as we loathe having to send students home for engaging in activities that are either anti-social, dangerous or destructive (or all three), we will unhesitatingly do so. This may also include a prohibition on student/s attendance at Valedictory and Graduation Mass ceremonies. We would love the pleasure of your company on Thursday 21 October, even if, in the busyness of your work, it can only be brief. 2021 Year 12 External Exam Timetable All students are required to be in attendance by 8:45am for an AM Session exam and 12:15pm for a PM Session exam with all necessary materials. Please note the updated copy of the External Exam timetable can be found on our St Patrick’s College website. Please click on the following link for easy access: https://www.stpats.qld.edu.au/attached_docs/snr_ext_assess_timetable_2021.pdf

Joseph Kelly – Assistant to the Principal: Mission Readings at Mass, Sunday 17 October 2021 – 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time First Reading, Is 53:10-11… If he offers his life in atonement, he shall see his heirs and have long life Psalm, 32:4-5, 18-20, 22… Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you Second Reading, Heb 4:14-16… Let us be confident in approaching the throne of grace Gospel, Mk 10:35-45… The Son of Man came to give his life as a ransom for all

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Readings at Mass, Sunday 24 October 2021 – 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time First Reading, Jer 31:7-9… I shall lead them back in mercy – both the blind and the lame Psalm, 114:1-6, 8-9… The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy Second Reading, Heb 5:1-6… You are a priest forever, in the line of Melchizedek Gospel, Mk 10:46-52… Master grant that I may see Seeing on the news this week that William Shatner, best known for his role as James Tiberius Kirk in Star Trek, is going into Space for the first time, reminded me of an episode of “Star Trek: The Next Generation”, where the people who live on two moons are about to go to war with each other. With the help of the crew of the “Enterprise”, an ambassador persuades representatives of each group to trade places for a week, so that they will understand the others’ points of view more clearly.

Having swopped places, both grow in their understanding of the other group. War is averted and they all live in peace.

The Sioux Native Americans had a custom that, before leaving to visit members of another tribe, individuals would raise their hands and pray these words:

“Great Spirit, help me never to judge another person without having first walked in their moccasins for two weeks”.

Just as a reminder the weekend masses are listed below - we are a community of faith and it is good to see many of our students at the different parishes of a weekend. Thank you for living out your faith and being a visible witness to others in all that you do.

Weekend Masses

Tracey McLeod – Assistant to the Principal: Welfare and Administration Subject Changes Year 11 students are reminded that subject changes may occur at the completion of Unit Two. Once students have commenced Unit Three, they are not permitted to change subjects because of QCAA guidelines. This means that Year 11 students have until October 15 to submit subject change applications. If students wish to change subjects at the end of Unit Two, they should take note of the following procedures:

• All students must complete an application to change subject form. These are available from College Reception. • Application forms must be signed by parents and by the Subject Co-ordinators of both the discontinued and new

subjects. • Students should not pick subjects based on lines. Instead they should refer to the subject guides and select a

subject they wish to study. Line changes regularly occur when subject change forms are submitted due to current class sizes.

• You will not be contacted if the subject change was approved. You will only be contacted if the change cannot be approved. Once forms are submitted students should check Student Café regularly as approved changes will appear on your timetable.

• Students who need additional career guidance are encouraged to make an appointment with the College Guidance Counsellor Ms Susan McKay.

Southside Cluster Northside Cluster

Saturday Vigil Mass Saturday Vigil Mass 5:00 pm St Mary’s 6:00 pm St Joseph’s 6:00 pm St Francis Xavier 6:00 pm St Brigid’s

Sunday Sunday 7:00 am St Patrick’s 7:30 am St Brendan’s 7:00 am St Therese, Alligator Creek 9:00 am St Joseph’s 9:00 am St Francis Xavier 9:00 am St Michael’s Sarina 6:00 pm St Patrick’s Church

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Students and parents are encouraged to contact the College reception if they have any questions regarding the change of subject process.

Danika Hurley and Susan McKay– College Counsellors Mental Health Week Mental Health Week is celebrated each year in October around World Mental Health Day on October 10. It is a time to shine a spotlight on mental health and well-being. The theme for Queensland Mental Health Week in 2021 is: Take time — for mental health. This theme recognises the importance of taking time to engage in activities

that boost our mental health, take time to look after ourselves and others, and encourages help-seeking behaviours when needed. Included below is a mental health self-care wheel which is a check in tool for you to assess how you are managing in each of the areas of physical, psychological, emotional, spiritual and professional wellbeing and provide suggestions if any area is lacking.

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Mark Casey – Pastoral Care Coordinator Valedictory Night - Tuesday 19 October 2021 Valedictory night is approaching on Tuesday 19 October and is being held in the Auditorium at the Mackay Entertainment Centre (MEC). Doors to the MEC will open at 5:30pm, with doors to the auditorium opening at 6:10pm. Family and friends of students are welcome to attend to help celebrate the achievements of the Graduating Class of 2021. The Valedictory evening will involve a presentation of our graduating seniors, entertainment, awards and speeches. All students will be presented to the Year 12 student body, staff, guests and the live-stream and will receive a graduating certificate and a College memento. There will also be the presentation of the academic awards. Details about all awards can be found below. Students must be immaculately groomed and dressed in full academic uniform to be presented on stage. This includes wearing their best uniform with grey trousers for boys and stockings for girls, polished black shoes, and being cleanly shaven for boys and tidy hair for both. This is an opportunity for students to look their very best as representatives of the College. Due to COVID regulations, all guests must sit in a designated seat, that can be booked by clicking on the following link – https://www.trybooking.com/BUSGX. There is no cost involved in booking a seat. Tickets are limited to two tickets per family, however please contact the College reception if you require extra seating as more seating may be available at a later date. Tickets can be booked on the above link from 6:00pm, 11 October. There will be a live stream available for parents to view. This link will be sent to parents via email and be available on the St Patrick’s College App. Year 12 students will need to be in their best formal uniform for the Valedictory night. Students must be at the Mackay Entertainment Centre by 6:00pm sharp, in order for proceedings to begin at 6.30pm. Valedictory Rehearsal – Tuesday 19 October Year 12 students are required to attend a rehearsal for Valedictory night. This rehearsal begins at 8:45am on Tuesday October 19 at the Mackay Entertainment Centre (MEC) and will finish at approximately 10:30am. Students are asked to arrive at the College by 8:30am. We will then make our way to the MEC as a group following roll marking. At the completion of the Valedictory rehearsal, staff and students will return to the College as a group for the remainder of the day. Normal lessons will be run from Period 3 onwards. Please note, students are not permitted to drive to this rehearsal and will be under the supervision of St Patrick’s College staff throughout this activity. The following details the awards to be presented on the night. Marist Sisters Effort Award completing set tasks (class time / homework) shown perseverance shown interest and attention ability to work with peers / teacher ability to work without close supervision actively cooperative

This is awarded by teachers regarding what they observe in class. Students need to display all of these characteristics across five classes to be awarded the MARIST SISTERS AWARD.

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Christian Brothers’ Award for Academic Merit Awardees will be determined by results after internal assessment in regards to their five best subjects (only five subjects can be counted): A, B, C: 5, 4, 3 points respectively; over best five subjects. Merit: 20, 21, 22 points.

Christian Brothers’ Award For Academic Excellence Awardees will be determined by results after internal assessment in regards to their five best subjects (only five subjects can be counted): A, B, C: 5, 4, 3 points respectively; over best five subjects. Excellence: > 23 points.

Mercy Sisters’ Subject Awards Awarded to the highest achieving student in each subject

Julie Delaney Memorial Award Awarded to a student studying a Vocational Education and Training Course, on the basis of: internal assessment grades application to set tasks ability to work with peers ability to use own initiative ability to work without close supervision conduct, manner and bearing of a standard that reflects the good name of the College completion of a majority of relevant learning outcomes.

The Francis Xavier Fulton Memorial Award – Staff Award for excellence in academic, cultural and sporting endeavours in the spirit of the mission statement of the College Students will be nominated by staff for this award, successful nominees will then be approached by Mr Casey to

submit a resume for staff consideration. Anthony McNeill Memorial Award – Christian Leadership Award – Student and Staff Award Criteria to be judged by: commitment to Christian belief and practice A shortlist will be compiled by administration

Samantha Nutt – Pastoral Care Coordinator Year 11 Semi Formal The Year 11 Semi-Formal is to be held on Friday 26 November in the St Patrick’s Hall from 6:30pm-10:30pm. Tickets will be on sale from Friday 15 October for $75.00 from the Finance Office until Thursday 4 November. Please note that this event will be a two course sit down meal, so if students have any dietary requirements, they will need to inform me of these by 4 November. Please be aware that there will be a compulsory Christmas Liturgy on the morning of the semi-formal between 8:30am and 10:30am for all Year 11 students. If students fail to attend this liturgy, they will lose their privilege to attend the semi-formal that night. If you have any questions about this, please feel free to email myself on Samantha_Nutt@rok.catholic.edu.au

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Dean Andric – English Coordinator English Tutoring Sessions As Year 12 students begin to ramp up for their external exams and the Year 11s commence work on their ATAR task next term, the English Department will be resuming tutoring sessions. These classes will be designed to assist students on the skills that require particular focus. Below is the table with the dates and skills that will be addressed each week. Lessons will commence at 3:10pm in J1 and run until 4:00pm.

Karlie Tatchell – Regional Indigenous Education Liaison Officer BHP AFLW Career Building Workshop I would like to bring to your attention some wonderful opportunities for students, namely the BHP AFLW Career building workshop. Yes, it is online as lots of events are due to the times we live in, however the information is still as valuable regardless of how it is delivered. Please see Community Notices section for more information. Sisters of Mercy Scholarship The Sisters of Mercy Scholarship will be announced shortly and I wish to extend my best wishes to the winner and for our students who applied. Our College has had some excellent applications over the years and I know the panel would be having trouble selecting this year’s winner. The QATSIF Young Leader Award for 2021 will be announced this term and I look forward to presenting this award at Assembly. I know the College has been preparing students for exams, but how are YOU preparing as parents/carers? I am always available by phone and email, plus there are many wonderful community organisations who are willing and able to support this very busy period.

Simon Korneliussen – Vocational and Educational Training Coordinator Year 12 - Skills for the Future Program As you embark on your final weeks as students, St Patricks College Mackay want to ensure that you are prepared for your future careers. The Mackay Region Vocational Education & Training Cluster have been in contact with local training organisations to put together a program for Year 12 students across the region to engage in courses to develop skills and obtain qualifications needed for your future careers. The Skills for the Future Program will coincide with the Term 4 Year 12 Exam Block during week 4 to 6. Many of the courses offered are run multiple times, to support students with their studying and sitting of exams, ensuring all students have an opportunity to participate in courses they wish to attend. Students will need to contact the organisation or host school contact person directly to secure their position in the course. If you are needing support in doing this please see Mr Korneliussen or Mrs Preston. Please see Skills for the Future Program section below for course details.

Week/ Date Year Level Teacher Topic 20 October 12 Mr Andric External exam structure revision 27 October 11 Miss Hannant Persuasive Speech Structure 3 November 11 Mrs Bolton AFOREST technique 10 November 11 Miss Gibbs Writing an argument 17 November 11 Mrs Flanagan Persuasive techniques recap

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Marcus McConnell – Cultural Coordinator Welcome back everyone. The Cultural Department will be hitting the ground running this term, with our Percussion ensemble and Choir performing at the Valedictory Evening on Tuesday 19 October. As is tradition, our Year 12 students will be processed in by a Handbell ensemble, so any students wishing to partake in the processional ringing, please see Mr McConnell or Mr Kettle by Thursday 14 October. Afterwards we will be celebrating our years’ worth of cultural endeavours with the combined annual St Patrick’s College/Mercy College Cultural Showcase. All of our ensembles from Rock Pop Mime, Choir, Stage Band to FAME The Musical will be performing on this evening. Keep your eyes on google classroom for notices on rehearsals, venues and times.

Cathie Williams – Business Coordinator Heroes in Business Program Recently, three Year 12 students attended the Heroes in Business Program. This one-day program is a joint collaboration between James Cook University (JCU) and Queensland Country Bank, offering a unique opportunity to explore business, law or finance careers. The students involved were Mikaela Jones, Erica Howell and Lexie Condon. Below is a brief outline about the day written by Erica and Mikaela. At the Heroes in Business Program, we got to share where we wanted to be in five years. We were then put into groups to create a business based around the group’s interests. We presented our businesses and then had to face up to issues our business might experience. It was our job to try to fix the real issues that could affect our business. Another important lesson from the day was “the chain of command”. We learnt how easy it is for information to be mixed up through word of mouth! There was a session that provided information about our options for the future and what pathways we could take. The day finished with a raffle where Erica won Airpods supplied by JCU. Overall, it was a great day with fun people and definitely a worthwhile experience we would do again.

Shelby Barbe – Japanese Teacher Japanese Speech Contest This year our Japanese students had an opportunity to represent their school in the 2021 Mackay-Matsuura Sister Cities Senior Speech Contest, which was graded by Japanese native-speaking staff who live in our sister city in Matsuura. Students were asked to write a 2 minute video speech on the topic,

‘I remember…’. All students who entered from our amazing school this year were able to place, and were able to be a part of the successful awards night hosted by Sister Cities Mackay on 15 September. In year 11, our very own Primrose Sands took home first place for her age group! Our year 12 participants Katie Wood came home with 3rd place, along with Casey Wood taking 2nd place in their year 12 group. Well done to our students, this was no easy task!

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Adam Knezevic – Cricket Coach Mercy and St Patrick’s Cricket girls took to the field in Brisbane on Monday in the QLD Cricket T20 StreetSmarts State Challenge Championships. After some convincing wins in the round games the girls were ready to take on the Southern teams. After an excellent bowling attack from West Moreton Anglican School our Intermediate Girls were unfortunately defeated. With their heads held high some of our junior girls took to the field again in our combined Mercy/ St Pat’s team to take on Fairholme College.

This time our senior girls dominated the bowling and kept Fairholme to 103 runs with Meghan McCartney taking three wickets. After losing only one wicket Mercy/St Pat’s walked away with a very comprehensive win with nine wickets still in hand thanks to the outstanding batting of Isabelle Sammut. Scoring 65 runs Issy held her wicket for the entire game. A huge congratulations to all of the girls who represented their schools with pride and showing excellent skill on the field. Thank you to all teachers involved for giving up their time to take the girls away and to the parents who joined us.

Kelsey Wallace – Campus Minister/Student Welface Officer

Wake Board Raffle

In aid of St Pat’s Socktober Appeal Tickets $2.00

Please see the College reception to purchase your ticket

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Skills for the Future Program

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Community Notices MONSTER CHRISTMAS RAFFLE

There may not be NORFAIR this year, but the parish is selling tickets in an amazing raffle. With a first prize of $10,000, tickets are great value at $5.00 each. The raffle will be drawn on Friday 10 December, just in time for Christmas. You’ve got to be in it to win it!

Tickets are available online, outside the churches before and after weekend Masses and from St Joseph's Parish Office (Monday - Friday 9am to 2:30pm phone 49574855).

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