COLLEGE TELEPHONE The number is

4994 8700

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. These submissions will be verified at regional QCAA

meetings next Monday. Year 12 students have a relatively

short term, but significant movement both up and down can still occur and our

seniors should be mindful that their results are not locked in as yet.

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.

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 Hurley 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 a boys team and for the first time

for St Pats, a girls team in the Champion Schools Basketball Competition in

Brisbane. The boys played in the second division and performed very well playing

twenty-sixth in the state. The girls played in the second division as well also

performed well ending eighteenth in the state. What a fantastic performance from

the team. Thank you to coach Mr Jamiey Doevendans, manager/trainer Mr Martin

Hollis and other helpers who assisted these teams.

Eisteddfod

The Mackay Eisteddfod is in its second week with one week to go. Congratulations

to our College groups and soloists who have performed and represented the

College. A special thank you to students who volunteered and assisted with back

stage.

17 October 2019

Dates to remember

October 2019

20 Music Ministry

25 McAuley House Day

31 World Teachers Day

31 Year 12 exams commence

November 2019

1 Cultural Showcase Evening

8 Sports Awards Night

8 Year 12 exams finish

11 Valedictory Night

14 Year 12 Graduation Mass

practice

15 Year 12 Graduation Day

17 Music Ministry

25 Year 11 Exams commence

28 Orientation Day

29 Year 11 exams finish

29 Last day for Year 11’s

29 Year 11 Semi-Formal

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, we had more than one hundred student’s access 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 and supervision of after hours exams. I am sure that many students will make better career

choices based on this experience.

New Staff Welcome

At the beginning of Term 4, we welcomed Mrs Angela Brazil, Miss Shelby Barbe and Miss Keely Hannant as new staff to

the St Patrick’s community. Angela teaches Essential Mathematics and Chemistry, whilst Shelby teaches Japanese,

Essential English and Religion and Ethics. Keely is part of the Catholic Education Graduate Teaching Program and teaches

Essential English, English Communication and Legal Studies. Welcome to St Pat’s!

Year 12 Retreat

Catholic schooling is centred on our spirituality as Catholics and the development of the Catholic community. The Year 11

and 12 Retreats are a very important aspect of our Catholic life at St Patrick’s College.

Year 12 students had a two day retreat with Mr Michael Fitzpatrick last Thursday and Friday. Many of the students have

had a one day experience with Mr Fitzpatrick previously, but all have agreed that the Year 12 retreat with its focus on

setting things right for the next stage of their journey has been most significant and memorable for them.

The highlight of the retreat for many students was the web of connections that they created by discussing significant

events that have occurred in their two years at the College. The web was then symbolically cut indicating what will happen

as they graduate in a few short weeks and disperse, each taking their piece of the story with them.

In a ritual in the middle of the day on Friday, students acknowledged each other, forgave each other and supported each

other. Students also received a blessing from the Leadership team. Students were also challenged during the retreat to

think about their participation in the wider church community.

Year 11 Retreat and QCS Day

Year 11 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 2020.

The Mackay and District Catholic Debutante Ball

The Mackay and District Catholic Debutante Ball will be on Friday 22 May 2020. The Debutante Ball Committee wishes to

invite all Year 11 students to participate in the 2020 Mackay Debutante Ball. Practices occur on Monday nights from

February through to May. More details will follow in our next newsletter.

Angela Brazil

Shelby Barbe

Keely Hannant

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St Patrick’s Family

Congratulations to Year 11 student Claire Colwill who made her Brisbane Blaze debut playing

Hockey for Queensland, in the Round 3 clash against Adelaide. Well done Claire!

Fr Don White - Parish News

St Patrick’s Fair - Saturday 16 November 2019

I would like to invite and encourage all to attend the St Patrick’s Parish Fair which is on Saturday 16

November commencing at 6:00pm. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet and support the Parish.

Leading up to the fair, we ask you to consider donating to the various stalls eg: Cent Sale, Bottle, Craft,

Cake and Variety stalls. Your generosity will be much appreciated and will help make our fair a great

community event.

We would welcome your support for this Parish and Community event. Donations of items for stalls or cash donations

will be sincerely appreciated.

Items include: Bottles eg lollies, soft drink, cordial, chutneys, wine etc for the Bottle Stall.

Handmade items for the Craft Stall.

Prizes for the Cent Sale – if you haven’t time to buy a donation, you are welcome to place a cash

donation in the envelope at the end of the seats and the organisers will purchase the prizes.

Homemade cakes slices sweets required closer to the date of the Fair.

Donations can be left at St Patrick’s Presbytery or in the box at back of the Church at Sunday Masses. Your continued

support of the Fair is very much appreciated. The flyer advertising the Fair is included at the end of this newsletter.

Stephen Mortimer – Assistant to the Principal: Religious Education

Saint Vincent de Paul Appeal

At St Patrick’s College we have chosen to support the SVDP Transitional Housing program for our

St Vincent de Paul (SVDP) appeal, by donating household items. SVDP Transitional Housing provides

short term accommodation for people who are homeless and need assistance to make the step to

long term residence. The program caters for people who have lost their homes because of natural

disasters, those who leave homes because of violence and people who through life’s circumstances

find themselves living on the street or in the parks.

Through contact with the SVDP Housing Officer, we have created a program where the students and staff bring in house

hold items, to create welcome hampers which are given to new tenants upon arrival. When a new tenant is arriving we

drop off the hamper at the SVDP office, with respect for the dignity of the person therefore we don’t usually meet the

person. However, we do get some background of the people we have helped, which I would like to share these with you.

In the past year some of the people we have helped have been:

3 males, 40 + years all coming from homelessness

A homeless elderly woman who is being urgently housed tomorrow afternoon.

A 53 year old single woman escaping Domestic Violence who has been living in her vehicle for about ten weeks

A male 42 years, with serious mental health issues, coming in from homelessness; and

A male, 39 years coming from a Men’s Shelter.

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The items that we are asking the students and staff to donate to this cause and to bring to the College should be general

household items. These items will help to create a clean and comfortable home, costing no more than $5 in value. In

reality, these are everyday items that we take for granted in our lives, but for someone who is homeless it is a luxury they

could not afford. Students have been given a list of items in their line D class. Please take the time to contribute to our

appeal.

Readings at Mass, Sunday 20th October 2019 – Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time First Reading, Exodus 17:8-13 …. As long as Moses kept his arms raised, Israel had the advantage. Psalm 120 …. Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Second Reading, 2 Timothy 3:14- 4:2 …. This is how the people of God become equipped and ready for every good work. Gospel, Luke 18:1-8 … God will see those who cry to him vindicated.

Readings at Mass, Sunday 27th October 2019 – Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time First Reading, Sirach 35:12-14, 16-19…. The prayer of the humble will penetrate the heavens. Psalm 32, The Lord hears the cry of the poor. Second Reading, 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 …. All that remains is the crown of righteousness reserved for me. Gospel, Luke 18:9-14 …. The publican returned to his home justified; the Pharisee did not.

Weekend Masses

Tracey McLeod– Assistant to the Principal: Welfare and Administration

Year 11 Report Cards

Year 11 Report cards have been uploaded to the Parent Lounge portal.

Unit 3 information

Now that Unit 3 has commenced, students are reminded that subject changes can no longer be

made. Students must complete all assessment in Units 3 and 4 for all subjects therefore Year 11

students are locked into their current subject choices until the end of 2020.

Marcus McConnell – Cultural Coordinator

Eisteddfod

Congratulations to our Handbell Ensemble who placed second in the ‘Open Small Acoustic

Ensemble’ section on Monday, completing their performance with a whopping 91 points! The

performance by the students was incredibly musical and they should be very proud of themselves.

Students, you made the College proud.

Next week our students will be participating in the annual Eisteddfod. Under the direction of

Kathleen Campbell, our choristers have been working hard all year, with many morning and lunchtime rehearsals. Please

come along and show some support for our talented musicians.

Southside Cluster Northside Cluster

Saturday Vigil Mass Saturday Vigil Mass

6:00 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 pm 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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The performance times are as follows: Wednesday 23 6:00pm – Show Choir

Thursday 24 3:30pm – Folk Group

6:30pm – Jazz/Modern

– Hymn and Folk

– Secondary Schools Open

(Take note of the morning notices during this period, as times may change

due to other ensembles withdrawing for the competition)

There will be a rehearsal this Sunday, 20 October from 10:00am in Room J4, which will be in preparation for the

Eisteddfod. Please bring all your music and all required costume/uniforms.

Cultural Showcase

On Friday, 1 November, our annual Cultural Showcase will be held at the College. This will be a wonderful night, as we

celebrate the Arts at the College and where we recognise the hard work our students have put in over the year. I am

looking forward to seeing you there. Please keep this date in your calendar. The Cultural Showcase invitation is included

at the end of this newsletter.

Chad Buckby – Sport Coordinator

Sports Night

On Friday 8 November (week 5), the 2019 Sports Night will be held at the St Patricks College Hall. This

is a great opportunity to celebrate all the wonderful sporting achievements of the St Patrick’s students

so if you have been involved in sports in 2019 it would be great if you could attend.

The structure of the night is a bit different from previous years with the major change being no sit-

down dinner. This year, the College will be providing some nibbles and drinks first and then we will

be having the awards presentation. Due to this change, there will be no cost associated with the night for students or

parents, but the College does ask for a gold coin donation. Hope to see you all there.

Sports Photos

Next week at lunchtime (1:00pm – 1:30pm) we will be having our sports team photos. This is a great way to capture our

sporting teams and could be a great memento for the students and their team mates. The schedule for the week is as

follows:

Tuesday 22nd October Rugby Union 7’s Boys and Girls

Boys Rugby League – APC Girls Rugby League – KMC, 13 a side Soccer Boys and Girls

Wednesday 23rd October Touch Teams Basketball Boys and Girls Volleyball Mountain Bike

Thursday 24th October Athletics Cross Country AFL Boys and Girls AFL 9’s Girls and Boys

Friday 25th October Mackay Representatives Capricornia Representatives QLD Representatives

Netball – Blue, Red, White, Gold (Vicki Wilson, QISSN)

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Edward Keogh – Teacher

Year 11 Aerospace Systems excursion

On Thursday, October 10, the Year 11 Aerospace Systems class visited the Mackay Airport. We were

lucky enough to visit Chrisair Aircraft Maintenance and Aviator Group, which are two local companies

who focus on maintenance and charter flights for helicopters and aeroplanes. Following this visit, we

headed to the airport terminal, where our guides demonstrated and explained some of the regulatory

requirements faced when using and running an airport.

To conclude the day’s visit, the class was fortunate enough to take a guided tour around the perimeter

of the airport. This allowed the students to witness the

scale of the operation and to understand why airports

are so difficult to maintain.

This was a brilliant learning day for everyone and

valuable experience was gained for students wishing to

consider Aviation as a future career path.

Thank you is extended to our hosts: Mr Philip Clark at

Mackay Airport, Mr Dan Christian at Chrisair Aircraft

Maintenance and Mr Leon Dimmack at Aviator Group

who donated their time and effort to make this

excursion possible.

Bernadette Marcel-Hubert – French Teacher

Change to Assessment Schedule

Warren Bolton – Teacher

Work Experience Student – Year 11 student Ben Coleman

Recently our students experienced what it is like to work with host

employers for Industry Placement within a chosen career. Year 11

student, Ben Coleman was placed with “Darryl Saunders Homes” and

he experienced working as a carpenter for his work experience block.

Ben was fortunate to not only observe, but also work on a house that was being constructed

by Darryl at a value of $1.6 million dollars. This is a great testament to the skills and

enthusiasm displayed from Ben. Well done, keep working hard Ben, and you will achieve

your goals.

The College extends thanks to the many Mackay and district businesses who agree to offer

our students this valuable work experience opportunity.

Attention Year 12 French Students:

There will be a change to the Year 12 French assessment on the calendar. There is a 60 minute Reading exam within the end of the Year exam block.

This includes a number of short readings.

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Danika Hurley – College Counsellor

Mental Health Day

Last week Mental Health Day helped to raise awareness around the challenges of mental health

difficulties. It is also Self Care Month and provides a wonderful reminder for each of us to check in

with our own balance between our mind, body and spirit and take care of ourselves. Human nature is

prone to negative self-talk and putting our own needs last, so training our brain and learning to

cultivate positive thoughts and putting ourselves first isn’t often easy. Keeping our mental health in

check is daily work. Exercise, having a balanced diet and trying to switch off from our busy lives by

getting out in nature are just some ways to support our mental wellbeing, as well as talking about things that are worrying

us with a strong social support system.

It’s important, particularly for our seniors at St Patrick’s to create space each day in their busy, stressful lives to ensure

they are taking care of themselves. If you aren’t travelling well, it is important to reach out for support. We wouldn’t try

and fix a broken leg ourselves but sometimes we think we can fix our mental health ourselves or hope the issue will just

go away. All of us have times in our lives when we can’t do it alone and need to reach out to others. To quote AFL’s Danny

Frawley who died recently and battled mental illness for many years, “Manning up in the past was to suffer in silence,

manning up now is to put your hand up”.

Lifeline has a 24 hour counselling service (131114), Beyond Blue, GP, psychologists or your personal supports like

colleagues, family, friends are all available and willing to help – or come and have a chat with me!

Self-care is paying attention to you, your body and your emotions.

Self-care is checking in with yourself in each moment.

Self-care is setting healthy boundaries.

Self-care is about learning to appreciate and love yourself.

Self-care is about connecting with our spirituality and faith.

This month make self-care a part of your daily routine! It could be as simple as a

conscious breath in the morning or as luxurious as time away from the pressures

of everyday life. The kindness we show towards ourselves will manifest into a

kinder world. The calendar below has some extra ideas for what you can do to

practice self-care this, or any month!

QTAC News

In the coming days I am reviewing the QTAC applications that have been submitted by the Year 12 OP students looking to

attend university next year. It is an exciting but nerve racking time for all. Everyone has worked so hard towards this goal

and it is a privilege to spend time with students listening to their future pathways and supporting them across the finish

line. If any students or parents have additional questions or need support with this, please do not hesitate to get in contact

with me here at the College.

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Community Notices

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There has never been a better time to get online

N Dalton on Oct 13, 2019 @ 7:38am

Worried about clicking the wrong part of the screen? Interested in shopping on line? Want to keep up to date with family that now lives out of town? Concerned about “getting on-line”? Well you might need just a little bit of friendly help and advice from the local NHW teams.

All over Mackay, local NHW groups are running really casual sessions at various locations for people who are a little nervous about jumping onto the world wide web (www). Be connected, Every Australian online!

Why not pick a session below and see how much you can learn, have a cuppa and some great food and meet some new friends in the real world at the same time.

https://mackay.nhwq.org/2019/10/13/there-has-never-been-a-better-time-to-get-online/

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