St Patrick's College Mackay Newsletter - Term 4 - 25 October 2023

Festival Friday

Last Friday 20 October, students, parents and staff enjoyed a fun filled day of festivities at the College to celebrate the final day for Year 12 student’s formal schooling. I would like to thank Mrs Julie Rasmussen, Mr Sean Geoghegan, members of the SRC and staff for organising this day of celebrations. A special mention to our musicians Marcus McConnell, Ellis Kettle and Molly Bettridge for providing entertainment during the morning. It was great to see so many parents attend and for students to farewell each other and staff in such a special way.

I would like to wish our Year 12 students all the best in the upcoming external exams and  work experience. I look forward to seeing them all at the Final Assembly on Thursday 16 November and then on Friday 17 November for their Graduation Mass.

World Teacher’s Day- Friday 27 October 2023
Tomorrow is World Teacher's Day and I would like to thank and acknowledge all out hard working staff who give their time freely to support and help our students grow. Everyday our teachers strive to create a safe and supportive classroom where students are encouraged to give their best.  Thank you to our staff for the dedication and commitment you give to Catholic Education.

Hats off to teachers this World Teacher’s Day.

Valedictory

Congratulations to all involved with our Valedictory for Year 12 students held on Tuesday 17 October. It was great to see parents able to attend again this year, as well as those who watched from the comfort of their homes.  The livestream is still accessible if any families wish to view it via this link. https://youtube.com/live/reC5CoVZbQU?feature=share

Mr Doug Bettington is to be congratulated and thanked for his wonderful organisation of this event. Thank you also to all the office staff, staff who worked behind the scenes, prepared performers and helped prepare students for this event. It was a great celebration of the first combined graduating class.  Most Reverend Michael McCarthy (Bishop of Rockhampton) Mr Michael McCusker (Assistant to the Director: Northern Region), Fr Matthias, Fr Gasper, Fr Anthony, Fr James , Sister Denise Hinton, Board Members, Parent Engagement Committee and local Principals were special guests on the night.

A special thanks to Nadine Connolly for her vote of thanks to the College on behalf of parents at the end of the night. Congratulations to all students on their graduation. 

Upcoming Events

I wish to draw your attention to the following upcoming events;

• 1 November - Junior Sports Awards
• 14 November - Year 11 Awards
• 16 November - Arts in the Garden
• 17 November - Senior Graduation Mass
• 22 November - Year 10 Semi Formal
• 23 November - Orientation Day
• 24 November - Thanksgiving Mass Mercy Campus

Marist Sisters’ Award for Academic Effort Recipients:
Taylah Green, Caitlin Lenahan, Yesha Lorenzo, Charlise Reibel, Gianna Saji, Annalyse Tydeman, Sophie Tyrell

Christian Brothers’ Award for Academic Merit Recipients:
Bailey Anderson, Chloe Annetts, Gregorius Baskara, Nicholas Beardmore, Paige Bobbermein, Jake Bryan, Kye Camilleri, Mason Davies, Ella Durie, Mercedes Fieldsend, Oliver Gassner, Leo Gupwell, Kerrod Harp, Shaylee Hazledine, Hemi Heke, Zach Keating, Lillian Keeble, Cody Kirkpatrick, Angus Lynch, Emma-Ann McCarthy, Hannah Meakins, Julien Mezieres, Reece Morris, Lachlan Mousset, Amelia Noon, Declan Pearl, Jayden Richards, Ellen Sandral, Vaughn Sanil, Olivia Schloss, William Shears, Kayne Smith, Ava Strickland, Joseph Vella, Bailey Venz, Oscar Warden, Vanessa Watkins, William Whippy, Xavier Zamparutti, Eve Zimmermann

Christian Brothers’ Award for Academic Excellence Recipients:
Ethan Banks, Lachlan Bourke, Jacinta Franettovich, Imogen Freeman, Ethan Gray, Matthew Haverda, Jorja Jeffs, Abbey Landt, Ally Mobbs, Alex Smith, Hayden Tronc

Marist Sisters’ Award for Academic Effort and Christian Brothers’ Award for Academic Merit Recipients:
Ashlee Amos, Danika Arvidson, William Atta, Alysha Brett, Laura Brett, Ainsley Carey, Alysha Cauchi, Georgia-Rose Chambers, Lachlann Cocco, Lucy Corby, Brock Crocker, Milli Davis, Austin D'silva, Charlee Durnsford, Peter Ford, Hayley Graham, Vincent Hill, Georgia Hillman, Haylee Holdsworth, Isabella Illguth, Ella Jasch, Xavier Kerrisk, Zara Lahy, Estella Martin, Kaleb Mayfield, Brendan McHutchon, Ryan Muddle, Nell O'Brien, Madeline Pace, Rori Paganoni, Jayden Penny, Kassidy Refalo, Izabelly Samuel Fialho, Isabelle Sinn, Summer Srsen, Rebecca Symons, Keeona Tatchell, Elijsha Zemek

Marist Sisters’ Award for Academic Effort and Christian Brothers’ Award for Academic Excellence Recipients:
James Allen, Chloe Benson, Charli Bliss, Nicholas Bowyer, Makenzey Boyce, Lily-May Carige, Zuzana Comerford, Harrison Considine, Phoebe Francis, James Galea, Graci Gee, Trinity Grigg, Amity Jackson, Laanie John, Monique Jones, Bradley Manera, Brigitte McCowan, Joel McFarlane, Ella McGill, Tehya Morrow, Mikaela Penny, Nataya Perry, Hayley Sullivan Freites, Gracie Watt, Joshua Williamson

Marist Sisters’ Award for Academic Effort, Christian Brothers’ Award for Academic Merit, Christian Brothers’ Award for Academic Excellence or Mercy Sisters’ Subject Award Recipients:
Alex Brannan - Merit and Subject Award for Physics

Sana Campbell - Merit and Subject Award for Geography

Sarah Kirkwood - Excellence Subject Award for Music

Matisse Carey - Effort, Excellence and Subject Award for Ancient History

Taya Cook - Effort, Excellence and Subject Award for Certificate II in Engineering Pathways

Karli Davis - Effort, Excellence and Subject Award for Certificate III in Fitness

Locke Forrest - Effort, Excellence and Subject Award for Digital Solutions

Jovitta Joshy - Effort, Merit and Subject Award for Design

George Mann - Effort, Excellence and Subject Award for Japanese

Jorja Moohin - Effort, Excellence and The Subject Award for Certificate Iii in Health Services

Yazmin Muller - Effort, Merit and Subject Award for Industrial Graphics Skills

Baxter Norsworthy - Effort, Excellence and Subject Award for English

Reteek Paul - Effort, Excellence and Subject Award for Science in Practice

Ella Phillips - Effort, Merit and Subject Award for Certificate III in Christian Ministry and Theology

Sophi Pryor - Effort, Excellence and Subject Award for Essential English

Matilda Ralph - Effort, Excellence and Subject Award for Music

Keeley Robinson - Effort, Excellence and Subject Award for Sport and Recreation

Alice Sanderson - Effort, Merit and Subject Award for Certificate III in Business / Certificate II in Tourism

Sophie Westcott - Excellence and Subjects Award for Literature and Visual Art

Teneale White  - Effort, Excellence and The Subject Award for Drama

Eva Daly - Effort, Excellence and Subject Awards for Aquatic Practices and Essential Mathematics

Jayla Hudson - Effort, Excellence and Subject Awards for Certificate I in Construction and Furnishing Skills

Damon Insch - Effort, Excellence and Subject Awards for English and Literature Extension, and Film, Television
and New Media

Lexi Newman - Effort, Excellence and Subject Awards for Early Childhood Studies and Essential Mathematics

Madeline Rasmussen - Effort, Excellence and Subject Awards for Literature and Physics

Jada Vassallo - Effort, Excellence and Subject Awards for Business and Legal Studies

Sofie Wright - Effort, Excellence and Subject Awards for Certificate II in Hospitality (Food and Beverage) and Certificate III in Christian Ministry and Theology

Nicola Chimes - Effort, Excellence and Subject Awards for Literature, Physics and Religion & Ethics

Adam Ostrowski - Effort, Excellence and Subject Awards for Mathematical Methods, Physics and Specialist Mathematics

Meghan Connolly - Effort, Excellence and Subject Awards for Literature, Modern History, Physics and Religion & Ethics

Luke Hinton - Effort, Excellence and Subject Awards for Accounting, Essential English, Essential Mathematics and
Science in Practice

Olivia Price  - Effort, Excellence and Subject Awards for Biology, Food and Nutrition, General Mathematics and
Physical Education

Jinzhao Zhang  - Effort, Excellence and Subject Awards for Chemistry, Literature, Physics and Study of Religion  

Our Youth Masses have gone from strength to strength this year across both the parishes of St Mary’s and St Patrick’s. A small lunch was provided last week as a thank you to our Senior students for the wonderful support that they gave to our Sunday evening masses at St Patrick’s. Their commitment to these masses and the way they have represented our college each month has been exceptional.

We will celebrate next week with our Mercy Campus Year 10’s for their outstanding support for our Saturday night masses at St Mary’s.

It was standing room only at the final Brekky Van shift for our Year 12 students last Friday. Thank you to our students for their support over the years and for what you have done giving back to our community, always reliable and dedicated to helping. Our Junior students will continue to cook and serve our guests until the end of the year.

The fruit of love is service,
which is compassion in action.
~ Mother Teresa ~

Visual Art students welcomed two Brisbane based artists, Sarah Sculley and Lara Furst, as part of St. Patrick's College annual Artist in Residence program. Over the course of two days, students were involved in photographic composition, lighting and gesture to create self portraits. The photos were then printed large scale and worked back in to using mark making, spray paints and text. The results speak for themselves! Great work students! 

This term St Patrick's College Mercy Campus Vinnies Committee’s fundraising focus is the St Vincent de Paul Society’s Christmas Hamper Appeal. As is tradition, each homeroom will do their best to support this appeal.

The Vinnies Christmas Appeal serves to bring joy to families and individuals within our community who may need a little extra support. The Christmas Season, for most, is often a time of celebrating with family and friends, sharing in the joy of giving and receiving presents, laughing over family traditions and silly season moments. However, for 2.2 million Australians, including families and 750,000 children, living below the poverty line, it can be a time when meeting even their most basic needs, like having food on the table, a place to call home, or keeping the lights on is a real struggle.

The items in the St Vincent de Paul hampers are designed to be used for a basic Christmas Lunch. You may also wish to put in other optional items as well. To uphold the dignity of those receiving the hampers, please ensure that all food items are not due to expire for another six months and are in date and in good condition.

Here is the list of items required for each Christmas Hamper:

Please note the Woolworths or Select Brand is preferable. Cash donations are also welcome. All homerooms will present their Christmas Hampers to Annamaria from St Vincent de Paul on College Assembly Wednesday 23 November (the Year 10 final assembly).

Thank you for your support of the Vinnies Christmas Hamper Appeal.

𝑬𝑿𝑷𝑬𝑹𝑰𝑬𝑵𝑪𝑬 𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑫𝑰𝑭𝑭𝑬𝑹𝑬𝑵𝑪𝑬! Join the staff of St Patrick's College Year 7-12 Mackay in the role of School Counsellor, commencing January 2024.

 𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐋𝐘 𝐓𝐎𝐃𝐀𝐘 - https://applynow.net.au/jobs/CER784

𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑶𝑷𝑷𝑶𝑹𝑻𝑼𝑵𝑰𝑻𝒀 𝑰𝑺 𝑵𝑶𝑾! Applications are invited for full-time teaching positions St Patrick's College Year 7-12 Mackay, commencing January 2024.
𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬 - https://applynow.net.au/jobs/CER790

𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐫𝐭 - https://applynow.net.au/jobs/CER789

Applications close 6 November 2023

In Week 2 of this term, here at the Mercy Campus, we acknowledged Mental Health Week.  Throughout the week, the Wellbeing Committee and the Counselling Department had a number of activities to encourage students and staff to look after their mental health through self-care.  We began with an assembly educating students on the five areas of self-care: physical (exercise, food habits), emotional (spending time on activities that bring you joy), social (connecting with friends), spiritual (prayer, meditation, spending time with nature) and mental (tasks that mentally challenge you).  The students were then asked to create their own self-care plan, focusing on each of these elements.  Like our bodies and our brain, we need to be caring for our mental health regularly to maintain good mental health.

When we have good self care strategies we:

• Reduction in anxiety.
• Improved moods.
• Clearer thinking.
• A greater sense of calm or inner peace.
• Increased self-esteem.
• Reduced risk of depression.
• Improvements in relationships.

The Wellbeing Committee also hosted a number of activities throughout the week, including a BBQ for the year 9 students, yoga and a concert one lunch time.  There were also activities in the daily notices focusing on each of these elements, for example, plank challenge. 

If you have any concerns around your students mental health, feel free to contact a member of the counselling team by phoning reception (07 4994 8700)

On Thursday 19 October, our cultural students put on a performance for St Mary’s Catholic Primary School.  Our Concert band, percussion ensemble and folk choir were all well received by the primary students, who recognised some of our pieces such as The Black Panther Theme.  St Patrick’s College has an excellent instrumental program were students as young as year 7 can partake in instrumental lessons from brass, woodwind, strings, percussion, guitar and voice, giving students the opportunity to learn and be a part of our ever growing cultural ensembles.

If you are unable to attend on your day, please try to swap with someone on another day.  If this is not possible, please contact the Tuckshop coordinator Margaret Floyd on 0401 003 919 (mobile) or 4994 8770 (Mercy Tuckshop)